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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.

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.

Bending resistance results
Measuring board stiffness

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.

Crease recovery stiffness test
Crease stiffness 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.

Unfolding force graph
Crease opening force jaw test

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.

Carton opening graph
Carton opening force

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.

Crease to board stiffness test
Ratio jaw 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.

Folding factor test
Measuring folding factor

Rotation speed

Automatic, user selectable speed of rotation. This removes errors associated with manual rotation.

rotation speed
Rotation speed closed

Flexible testing

Choice of sample sizes

The CFA enables the smallest of creases to be analysed.

CFA Sample

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 fibers 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).
Bending Stiffness Results

Quality Assessment

  • Pre-loaded ISO/BS/TAPPI test methods
  • Date/operator stamped results
  • Pre-set pass/fail criteria
  • Optional password protection
Cartons in production

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.

CCP / CFA product
Load cell blade
All-in-One PC
Test jaw bracket (motorised)

Intuitive and easy to use

No need to consult complicated manuals and easy training for new users

Consistent results for all operators

Motorised jaw for repeatable and accurate speed control

Graphical trend analysis

Accurate and easy to analyze results

Accessories

Included Accessories

CCP / CFA product
All-in-One PC with software and connection cables
CFA Certificate of conformity
Traceable calibration certificate
CFA accessories set
1. Jaw Holder 2. Spanner 3. Sample preparation Templates 4. USB Stick

Included Test Jaws

Opening Force Jaw
Carton opening force jaw
Board stiffness jaw
Board stiffness jaw
Crease stiffness jaw
Crease stiffness jaw
Crease opening force jaw
Crease opening force jaw

Optional Test Jaws

Rounded corner creases jaw
Rounded corner creases jaw

Associated products

USC dies

Universal Sample Cutter

The Universal Sample cutter allows for crease and stiffness samples to be cut simultaneously for a given pack size. Ideal for high volume testing.

Carton Crease Proofer

Prepares individual crease and stiffness samples. Suitable for low-medium volume testing.

Specifications

StandardApplicationDetails
ISO 2493Paper and boardDetermination of resistance to bending (Lorentzen & Wettre/Taber)
ISO 5628Paper and boardDetermination of bending stiffness by static methods
TAPPI T 556Bending resistance of paper and paperboardLorentzen & Wettre/Taber Tester
T 543Bending resistance of paper
(Gurley-type tester)
Calculated results equivalent to this method
T 489Bending resistance (stiffness) of paper and
paperboard
Taber-type stiffness tester in basic configuration
DIN 53121Testing of paper and boardDetermination of the bending stiffness by the beam method
BS 6965-1Creasing properties of carton boardMethod for determination of crease recovery (spring back) of 90° fold
DIN 55437-3Testing of folding cartonboardCreasings - Part 3: Determination of the technical quality of creasings
Instrument SpecificationsResolutionRepeatability
Rotation Angle0.01°0.1°
Rotation Speed0.001°/min<0.01°/min
Load Cell1mN<10mN
Power120V/230V; 50Hz/60Hz
Load Cell Capacity20N
Minimum Sample Thickness200μm
Instrument Dimensions
Size220mm (H) x 225mm (W) x 300mm (D)
Net Weight7kg (instrument), 4kg (PC)
Gross Weight15kg
All-in-One PC Specifications
Operating SystemWindows 11
IntegrationEasily integrated into laboratory network for results/backup and printing
ResultsResults can also be exported to USB Stick
Free extended warranty

Free extended 2 year warranty: Requires registration at www.rhopointinstruments.com/help-services/forms-feedback/instrument-registration/ within 28 days of purchase. Without registration, 1 year standard warranty applies.

Calibration and service

Fast and economic service via our global network of accredited calibration and service centres. Please visit www.rhopointinstruments.com/help-services/calibration-servicing/ for detailed information.

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