AlphaLeakTester

1. Unique precision.

The AlphaLeakTester has been developed for flexible packaging, and uses flow measurement at a constant pressure.

2. Altitude simulation.

The altitude simulation has been developed to identify at what altitude a flexible packaging starts to leak when it is transported by air. This unique feature is exclusive to Astaara.

3. Immediately available digital data:

Tests results (destructive test) can be instantly transmitted to your computer via a USB connection. Analyse the results on a pivot table in order to identify the area to improve, and visualise them on a Gauss chart.

4. Accurate analysis results:

Standard hypodermics needle experience frequent blockages during leak testing. The Astaara sample needles have two ports perpendicular to the needle surface and located ¼ inch from the needle tip, and this provides lowered risk of blockage.

5. Cost savings:

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. 6. 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 AlphaLeakTester. Avoid product recall by making sure your food is safe to consume until the last day of the shelf life.

7. Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) packaging Control:

The AlphaLeakTester will check that your products are within the acceptable leak range & that they will be preserved until the last day of the shelf life.

8. Brand protection and lasting taste for your products:

Avoid humidity and bacteria getting into your package and compromising the taste of your products. For potato chips manufacturers, preserve the crispiness and pillow effect.

9. Visualize the size of the leak:

When you test samples, the AlphaLeakTester may deliver very different leak values, like 1 cc/mn or 30 cc/mn or 100 cc/mn. Sometimes, it is necessary to be able to visualize if it is a very small leak, or an important one. The AlphaLeakTester has a coupler connection on the front panel that enables to you connect an accessory (supplied as a standard) with a small adjustable flow controller. You have to connect this accessory to the front panel by pushing the probe into the coupler, and put the other end in a glass of water. By turning the knob on the small flow controller, you will be able to adjust the flow, and therefore, visualize the bubble size output of the same leak in the glass of water.

The AlphaLeakTester 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.

Internal air pump.

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: 5 Kg.

The AlphaLeakTester 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 = 36 x 36 x 22 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/ Why do I need a special leak tester for flexible packaging? Are the leak testers
available not suitable?

Most leak tester would use a leak test method known as Pressure Decay, which measures the difference in pressure during the test. 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 AlphaLeakTester is using the “Flow Measurement at a Constant Pressure” method according to DIN 55508-1 of 01/02/2018, particularly adapted to flexible packaging.

2/ 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. We can do it during normal office hours and we are located in Singapore (GMT + 8 time zone). We can always support you outside of normal working hours with prior arrangement.

3/ 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.