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The Beginner’s Guide To Corrugated Box Compression Tester

Let’s start with the major bone of contention here — what is a corrugated box compression tester?

Well, like all testing instruments, these tools are used to evaluate the compression-resistance performance of packaging containers. The instrument works with different package materials, so you’re not particularly limited here. And, with its imported drive motor and pair of threaded shafts & guide pillars, it is able to steadily apply compression force along the material and capture whatever test data you need it to.

key configurable options:

Test Plates: Is there really a compression tester without test plates? Of course, not. Every Box Compression Testing Machine needs a primary loading platform, and that’s what upper and lower plates offer. There are different plate dimension options available, and you can find the plates available in different sizes based on what sample you’re working with.

Threaded Shafts & Guide Pillars: A box compression tester will come with a pair of threaded shafts and guide pillars. Essentially, the upper plate is driven along these pillars, while they move to create the motion needed for continuous compression loading.

Touch-Screen Control Cabinet: You sure can’t run your test without setting parameters. The touch-screen cabinet provides a proper human-machine interaction base for you to work with, and it supports parameter setting, data display, memory, statistics and print output.

Direct Thermal Printer: These tools help to output hard-copy test reports after each test completes. For accuracy of record-keeping, this printer is critical.

Drive Motor: You use the drive motor to control plate moving speed and return speed. This, in turn, helps with stable force loading and high-speed plate returning.

Fault Diagnosis Module: With your GT-N02A corrugated box compression tester, you have built-in fault diagnosis that alerts you when abnormal status appears. For safe and accurate operation, these modules are critical.

These corrugated box compression testers are especially prominent for their ability to simulate warehouse stacking pressure and measure maximum crushing strength with optimal precision across the board. And since you can find them in different plate-size configurations, you have a broad range of options to work with.

Sample Types & Compliance Test Standards

GT-N02A works for multiple sample categories: corrugated board boxes, cartons, plastic packaging containers and wooden boxes.

It supports testing against widely-recognized international standards: ISO2872, ISO2874, ASTM D642, ISO 12048. If your lab needs to meet these standard requirements, this instrument covers most parameter-setting demands. Box compression tester manufacturers can provide different configurations to meet these testing requirements.

Box Compression Testing: Different Types Of Test Modes

Strength test

Strength test which belongs to a destructive test is mainly used to measure the deformation when the sample is loaded with maximum pressure or crushing strength.

Constant Value Test

There are two parameters which are to be set in the constant value test: load force value and deformation value. The user can set one or both of them according to the practical requirement. the measure is complete when any parameter reaches the set value.

Stacking Test

Stacking Test is used to check up that whether the sample can endure a constant pressure in a given time period. Set up two parameters: compressive strength and testing time (hour).
when the test starts, the system will check the current pressure at any moment to ensure the set value; the measure is complete when the test time is expired or the deformation value exceeds the set one within testing time.

How To Set Up A Box Compression Tester GT-N02A

Always Read The Manual

Manufacturers give you manuals for a reason, and you should check them out. Get familiar with their instructions and make sure to follow them. From assembly to making adjustments and more, go through these materials exhaustively.

This is especially true since there are different configuration options for GT-N02A. So, the last thing you want is to use a specific configuration inappropriately.

Keep An Eye On Measuring Range Selection

We already explained the importance of matching measuring range against expected specimen maximum compression force. So, your job here is to make sure that range selection is done based on expected specimen load. If this factor isn’t properly optimized, you could end up with some inaccurate test data and find that sensor starts to wear even earlier than expected.

Touch-Screen Operation & Printer Setup

Once again, remember to spend enough time going over the different test modes and choosing the one that works for your specimen requirement. Once you do, check the manufacturer’s manual and set parameters based on their instructions.

The thermal printer should be installed well, paper loaded correctly so printed report output can be appropriate.

Threaded Shafts and Guide Pillars Inspection

Your threaded shafts and guide pillars should be checked based on the manufacturer’s instructions too. This way, upper test plate stays on the determined moving path and you can ensure that your tests are as accurate as possible.

Keep Plates Well-Aligned At All Times

This is very important. The upper and lower plates of the corrugated box compression tester should keep good parallel status, and make sure to adjust mechanical alignment if the need arises. You sure don’t want a situation where plates tilt as the tester is working.

Align The Test Plates

You can adjust mechanical structure of the Box Compression Testing Machine to make sure you get accuracy in testing. The upper plate should keep parallel relative to lower plate, and ensure that mechanical locking components keep a tight fit so it doesn’t shift.

Run Blank Tests And Adjust When You Can

Before using the Box Compression Testing Machine on your formal specimen, we recommend that you run blank test or use waste box samples first. This way, you’re sure of its accuracy. And if you need to make any adjustments, you can do so without compromising your formal test samples.

Most times, you’d find that optimal performance doesn’t just happen at the first go.

Don’t Forget Maintenance

Box compression testing instrument, Like every other machine, your box compression tester will only be as good as you are to it. And with proper maintenance, you can make sure that you get the most out of this instrument at every turn.

So, before you start using it, create a schedule that describes your maintenance requirements and responsibilities. Basic things like surface cleanliness, shaft lubrication should be accounted for, and you also need to check for any possible wear and tear of moving parts.

If you want the Box Compression Testing Machine to work for as long as possible, these are the things you need to prioritize.

Always Stay Safe

You’re working with a box compression tester — an instrument with heavy moving metal plates. So, please remember to stay safe and be careful when near it. Wear protective clothing as needed, and make sure that you don’t place hands between plates when instrument is running. At the end of the day, safety comes first always.

Advantages Of Box Compression Testing

Multi-Sample Compatibility: Box compression testers test different packaging containers. You can use them to run destructive strength test, constant-value test and stacking simulation test as well, so there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Whatever packaging container you need to evaluate, there’s a high chance that GT-N02A handles the job without much stress.

Quick Precision: If you follow the tips we sent you on setting up your box compression tester, you’ll find that you’ll be able to get stable and precise test data at all times. When you need to conduct a detailed packaging-quality task, these corrugated box & carton testing instrumentsrs are perfect for you.

Complete Data Output: You’d also find that box compression testers usually capture full-set parameters during measurement. Even when you’re simulating long-hour warehouse stacking scenarios, the corrugated box & carton testing instrument works reliably.

Standard-Compliant Testing: It supports mainstream international packaging-test standards, so your lab reports can satisfy audit and certification requirements.

Multi-Mode Switching: Box compression testers allow multiple-mode switching — where you run strength test, constant-value test or stacking test on the same machine to achieve the test goal you’re looking for. As long as you have what you want to achieve in mind, box compression testers can help make that happen.

Convenient Report Generation: These days, test records need to be traceable — not just measured. And with box compression testers, you can combine both benefits. As expected, you need to make sure that the tester is properly set up to enjoy this.

Cost-Effective Lab Solution: Generally, box compression testers tend to be more cost-effective for packaging quality-control compared with building real-world warehouse stacking trials. And since it covers different sample types, you shouldn’t have much to worry about.

Conclusion

Box compression testing has become a viable packaging-quality-control process across the board, thanks to its flexibility and versatility. And as long as you have the setup right, you should have no problems whatsoever with GT-N02A box compression tester.

Want to learn more? Reach out to us at GESTER and we’d be more than happy to help you out!