GammaPro

1. Fully automated process and immediate digital data:

Your flexible packaging can be tested immediately and in real time, without any human intervention whatsoever (destructive test). Results of O₂ analysis and Leak Test are instantly transferred to the Manufacturing Process Control System or to your computer via an USB connection. You can set limits, stop production immediately should the packaging not conform to the preset parameters. Analyse the results on a pivot table in order to identify the area to improve. Histogram visualisation on a separate monitor is optional.

Histogram displayed on the optional monitor.

2.Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) packaging Control:

With the GammaPro, check that all your packaging’s are flushed with the correct O₂ level, and make sure that that they will be preserved until the last day of the shelf life by measuring the leak.

3. Accurate analysis results:

No more blocked needles compromising the results of your tests, no more guessing the size of the bubbles. Well adapted to packaging where there is little or no headspace (chocolate bar…), the GammaPro will deliver accurate results to help you improve your process in a very short period of time.

4. ISO 22000 & HACCP compliance:

Identify flexible packaging related critical points, conduct root cause analysis, establish your critical limit, test, correct, verify & document easily with the GammaPro. Avoid product recall by making sure your food is safe to consume until the last day of the shelf life.

5. Cost savings:

With the GammaPro, consumables like septum and needles are no longer needed. In addition, you can reduce wastage by better controlling the seal(s) of your flexible packaging, optimize the thickness of your film and save costs (the thickest film is not necessarily the best for your product).

6. Brand protection and lasting taste for your products:

Avoid humidity and bacteria getting into your packaging and compromise the taste of your products. For potato crisps manufacturers, preserve the crispiness and pillow effect.

Optional monitor displaying a Gauss chart.

15.6″ monitor with integrated calculator.

The optional monitor with integrated calculator displays the leakage results of the previous 100 tests. The Histogram shows the distribution of the results, and helps to understand if the production is experiencing an unfavorable drift.

OS: LINUX.

Size: 15.6″

Full results without selection.

Focus on results below 20 cc/min.

Right scroll.

The GammaPro consists of 2 different units: a GammaTower (O₂ analyser & patented perforating device) and a Leak Testing Unit. The GammaTower and the Leak Testing Unit  are communicating via a PS/2 cable and a PU tubing.

1. GammaTower:

O₂ analyser & patented perforating device.

OLED display 1,5 “.

Touch sensitive buttons for perforating depth.

Servo driven internal perforating thin conical stainless steel pointer.

Silicon bellows diameter: 15mm* (* other sizes / shapes: consult us).

Cantilever holder for free movement of tower.

O₂ sensor: FIGARO KE 25 from Japan.    www.figarosensor.com
Temp: min/max 5 – 60°C.
When calibrated at both 0% and 100% of O₂, accuracy in the range from 0-100% O₂ shall be within ±5% of full scale.
Life expectancy at 20°C in normal air (1013hPa / 20.7% O₂): 3 years.

2. Leak Testing Unit:

The GammaPro Leak Testing Unit operates according to flow measurement at a Constant Pressure following DIN 55508-1 of 01/02/2018.

Structure: steel and ABS.

Display: 3,5” resistive touch screen.

Alicat electronic pressure controller from U.S.A., 1000 mbar scale.    www.alicat.com

Alicat mass flow meter from U.S.A., 1000 sccm scale.

Microprocessor: embedded ATMEL2560, 16 Mhz.

Calibrated leak port.

Foot print: 260 x 250 mm     Weight: 10 Kg.

If the GammaTower is to be stored for a long period of time, it must always be stored in vertical position, or on its side. Never upside down.

The GammaPro is guaranteed 3 years.

Maintenance: No specific maintenance required.

We recommend that the calibration of each ALICAT is checked every 12 months.

Dimensions: Export packed = 55 x 34 x 20 cm.

All components ROHS.

HS Code = 820730 Tools, interchangeable; (for machine or hand tools, whether or not power-operated), tools for pressing, stamping or punching.

1/ Are there any other fully automated leak testers combined with an O₂ analyser available on the market?

No, there is no automatic leak tester combined with an O₂ analyser available today, apart from the GammaPro. The main reason is that, presently, in order to perform an O₂ analysis or a Leak Test on flexible packaging, you need to adhere a septum to the package and perforate it with a hollow needle, sometimes at an angle if there is no headspace. This operation can only be done manually.

The GammaPro works differently. It has a perforating tower that contains a solid thin conical stainless-steel pointer (the mechanism in the Perforating Tower is a worldwide patented invention), and does not need any septum. This invention enables the GammaPro to be fully automatic, with no equivalent on the market today.

2/ How long does it take to test the O₂ content and the leak?

A flexible packaging of 0.1 litre would be tested for O₂ content together with the leak test in less than 40 seconds.

3/ Why would I test the level of O₂ since I just flushed my packaging with it, even if there is a leak, the difference would probably not noticeable?

That is correct. However, if you had just switched products on the same machine and you have modified the gas recipe, you may want to double check that the gas mix your machine is delivering it correct, valuable information if you are fully automated. This information will be transmitted to your computer, and if later the Quality Department is carrying out an investigating, the O₂ content of the packaging after modification will be available. In addition, if the O₂ content is incorrect, you can immediately rectify and avoid wasting product & precious gas.

4/ Why do I need a special leak tester for flexible packaging? Are the leak testers available not suitable?

Most available leak testers would use a leak test method known as Pressure Decay, which measures the difference in pressure during the test. The problem is, that for flexible packaging, the Volume of the package is also changing during the test. And since Pressure x Volume is a constant, you cannot measure the leak accurately if both Pressure and Volume are changing at the same time during the test. The Pressure Decay is however perfectly suitable for rigid packaging. The GammaPro is using the “Flow Measurement at a Constant Pressure” method according to DIN 55508-1 of 01/02/2018, particularly adapted to flexible packaging.

5/ Is there a risk that the package will be perforated totally, and the perforating pointer be damaged?

No, it is not mechanically possible that the perforating pointer will come in contact with the base, as it will stop 1 mm before.

6/ Who can assist me if anything goes wrong?

We can assist you by remote video conferencing if there is no Service Company in your area / Country. This would be during normal office hours. We are located in Singapore (GMT + 8). It is possible to support you outside of normal office hours by prior arrangement.

7/ Do you plan to have a CO₂ analyser?

We do not plan to have one. We concentrate on leak analysis & O₂ measurement for the flexible packaging Industry. To measure the transformation of the gas recipe inside the packaging when there is a leak, measuring O₂ is sufficient. Besides, CO₂ sensors are extremely expensive and need to be regularly calibrated.