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It goes without saying that it is useless if the package leaks! Leaks have been a thorn in the flesh of the food industry for a long time and various tests are performed in order to check for leaks.
The permanent development of the production method has a high priority in most companies. But within micro leak detection most still using traditional methods, however there are modern and better alternatives to the water bath.
Traditionally the method has been the water bath. The package is pressurized under water, either by squeezing the package by hand or by establishing a vacuum in the water container. A leak can, then be detected by bubbles escaping through the leak due to overpressure in the package – this is however an old-fashioned method. The problem with the water bath method (other than being messy and not too hygienic) for industrial use is that it is manual and thus it is difficult to repeat the testing conditions. Bubbles being detected during one test might not be discovered during the next test, even if the leaks are the same. Of course, the repeatability becomes better if the vacuum in the water tank is under strict control. Another problem is the discovery of the leak as bubbles from small leaks can be difficult to see. In other words, the quality of the water bath method depends highly on the person performing it and tested packages are difficult to reuse.
Full automatic non-destructive leak detector
With the in-line micro leak system, LeakMatic from PBI-Dansensor, it is possible to test packages in complete shipping/display cartons. By using the CO2 available in most MA packages as trace gas it is now possible to test all packages for leaks shortly after they have left the packaging machine. This test method is, of course, non-destructive.
Quick and sensitive
The system can test boxes and shipping cartons by placing them inside the test chamber. A user-defined vacuum is built up in the test chamber. In case of a leak the CO2 gas in the package will leak out into the test measuring chamber and the CO2 sensor reacts immediately. It is possible to test 4 to 5 packages per minute.
After the test phase the test chamber is ventilated and the carton is led to the “outlet” conveyer via an external conveyer system. If the system detected a leak an alarm will be activated and the leaking package(s) will be sorted out.
NEW! Extended firmware and statistical software
The leak detection can be controlled trough the built-in touch screen. The computer interface also allows you to export and work with test statistics. LeakStat can be used with both our in-line and off-line leak detectors. All measurements are saved in a database, which makes it easy to create different statistics. The programme has a simple user interface, making it easy to set up the programme to suit the specific needs of the user. The extended firmware version features e.g. reduced start-up time – which increases the package capacity.
NEW! Flexibility
As not all packages have the same size the LeakMatic can be fitted with chambers of various sizes. This gives the possibility of optimising to a specific need of the users. 3 standard sizes are now available.
NEW! Dual feed
Some of our customers have asked for more flexibility when loading their products from the opposite side of the standard side of the machine. It is now possible to feed the LeakMatic from both the left and the right side.
NEW! Easy access for cleaning
To make cleaning easier for the personnel, the instruments now have better access due to more free height
The purchase and operating costs are very low compared to helium leak detectors and this fact has led to a widespread use of the CO2 method in the food industry during the recent years.
The LeakMatic takes the hassle out of Leak detection.
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