Rotation speed
Automatic, user selectable speed of rotation. This removes errors associated with manual rotation.
Hanatek Carton Force Analyser (CFA)
- Measures all the forces required to erect and fill cartons
- Crease resistance (springback), board stiffness, carton opening force, crease opening force
- Variable sample sizes and small crease testing including HL
Industries & Applications
- Cartonboard
- Packaging
What does the CFA measure?
The Hanatek Carton Force Analyser (CFA) measures the forces that limit the running speed of folding box board packaging.
By measuring the stiffness of the substrate and crease bending resistance, the user can optimise cartons for faster running and packaging speeds. The instrument allows individual creases to be analysed identifying problem areas in packaging design or manufacture.
Industry research indicates that the packaging speeds of pre-glued skillets is governed by the energy required to open creases. The Hanatek CFA is the first instrument to isolate and accurately measure this key parameter.
Bending
Moment
Moment
Board
Stiffness
Stiffness
Ratio of Crease to
Board Stiffness
Board Stiffness
Crease Recovery
Stiffness
Stiffness
Crease
Folding Force
Folding Force
Crease
Opening Force
Opening Force
Carton
Opening Force
Opening Force
Relative
Crease Strength
Crease Strength
Geometrical
Stiffness
Stiffness
Crease/Board
Analyse
Analyse
Folding
Factor
Factor
Test types
The instrument has pre-loaded test instructions that ensure samples are tested to international standards.
Board Stiffness
Measures the stiffness of the board sample to ISO 2493. The stiffness of the sample is measured twice, once with the printed side of the carton facing forward and the second time with the printed side facing to the rear.
The resultant force is displayed in N, gF or mN. The average of the two measurements is calculated as well as the Min, Max and standard deviation on a multiple sample test.
Crease recovery stiffness
Measures the crease recovery to BS 6965. During the test, the Instrument will fold the crease under test through the preselected crease angle and hold it there for a pre‐determined number of seconds. It will then measure the force exerted on the crease as the instrument rotates the sample throughout the desired test angle.
The peak force is displayed as well as the angle that this force was reached. The resultant force is displayed in N, gF or mN. The average measurement is calculated as well as the Min, Max and standard deviation on a multiple sample test.
Rounded corner crease resistance: Rounded corner creases can be tested on the CFA (requires additional jaw).
Crease opening force
During the test the Instrument will un‐fold the crease under test through the preselected angle. The resultant force is displayed real time on the screen as the sample is rotated through the preselected test angle.
At the end of the test the resultant peak force is displayed in N as well as the energy in mJ required to bend the sample.
Carton opening force
This test will record the forces involved in erecting a skillet into an open carton simulating the process during machine opening. This test also allows the user to identify cartons that will not run smoothly due to a poor ratio of crease to board stiffness.
The resultant force is displayed real time on the screen as the sample is rotated through the preselected test angle. At the end of the test the resultant maximum crease stiffness is displayed in N as well as the energy in mJ required to bend the sample.
Ratio of Crease to board stiffness
The relationship between board stiffness and crease stiffness is an important factor in the running performance of cartons. This test will allow the user to quickly calculate the crease to board stiffness ratio by measuring both crease stiffness and board stiffness to the relevant standards. The Min, Max and standard deviation is also calculated on a multiple sample test.
Folding factor
Measure the uncreased sample and the creased sample. Calculate the ratio between samples and the ‘work done’ in mJ using the force vs rotation information.
Flexible testing
Choice of sample sizes
The CFA enables the smallest of creases to be analysed.
Benefits of using The Hanatek CFA
- Faster packaging times can offer significant cost reductions for manufacturers and suppliers
- Reduced waste material; due to fewer misfeeds and failures
- Used by carton producers, converters and printers
- Can be used for Quality Assurance or as a research tool
- Packaging materials which demonstrate consistent high running speeds can offer competitive advantages to the carton manufacturer
Results
This flexible instrument can be configured for quality or research use. All operations and test methods have comprehensive graphical on-screen help.
Live results as they happen
Real time graphs detail the process of folding, showing increased crease resistance until board fibres break and the crease relaxes.
The CFA allows these fingerprints to be saved and overlaid, a powerful tool that allows detailed comparison of different crease formats, substrates and manufactured batches.
Data transfer
Tests performed on the Carton Force Analyser can be easily output to PDF for simple reporting and data storage. PDF files show full graphic information, test statistics as well as individual test results. In addition, full details of the forces detected by the load cell can be output to a .csv file (selected tests only).
The instrument can be added to a company network to facilitate simple data sharing and regular data back-up (requires operating system upgrade).
Quality Assessment
- Pre-loaded ISO/BS/TAPPI test methods
- Date/operator stamped results
- Pre-set pass/fail criteria
- Optional password protection
Research tool
- Create and save bespoke test methods
- Variable sample length, rotation speed and crease angle
- Statistical and graphical analysis of results
Features
This flexible instrument can be configured for quality or research use. All operations and test methods have comprehensive graphical on-screen help.
