Engineers employ various testing tools for different materials since each material has unique properties and abilities. A dart impact tester is a lab instrument used to measure the impact resistance of materials particularly flexible materials like plastic films, sheets, laminated materials, and composite materials.
The packaging industry is the biggest application of impact testing. It is done to ensure that the plastic film used for packaging can withstand the impact force during traveling and product handling. If the material has low endurance or is not able to sustain the required load, engineers go for thick films or more tough materials.
Often it is known as a dart drop impact tester due to its functionality. At the surface of the specimen, a certain amount of weight is dropped from a predetermined height until the material is ripped or cracked. After that, the material’s suitability is assessed by measuring the force needed to tear the specimen.
In short, the core function of a dart impact tester or similar packaging testing instruments is dropping a weighted dart onto a plastic film or sheet. By doing this, researchers and manufacturers able to analyze the ability of material to withstand impacts. It ensures that the product inside the packaging container isn’t harmed due to mishandling of shipment.
Essential Elements of a Dart Impact Tester
Packaging testing instruments consist of key elements like clamps, bases, dart holders with an electromagnet or pneumatically operated, measuring scale, etc. Let’s understand in detail each element with its function.
The base of Impact Tester
The base is the stable platform of the whole mechanism to ensure the test runs smoothly. It is commonly made of rigid metallic material like stainless steel to ensure durability and avoid any vibration dampening.
The Drop Tower
An adjustable tower or sliding mechanism to adjust the height to precisely control the dart’s dropping height. The higher the height of the dart position, the higher the impact force.
Dart Holder with Electromagnet
Dart hold is the crucial element of a dart impact tester. The dart is clamped in this holder and ensures the controlled release of the weight over the testing specimen. The loose hold may cause improper impact load and wrong readings consequently.
Measuring Scales
Impact tester comes with various scales for height determination, clamping force, the impact force after the free fall of the dart, the energy absorbed by the specimen before breaking, and the deformation on the specimen.
How Does a Dart Impact Tester Work?
The dart impact tester works on the simple phenomena; Place the specimen, free fall of weight, impact on the testing material, and measurement of the force. In general, packaging testing instruments employ the following steps:
Sample Preparation – Sample preparation is the first step of this testing. A sample could be anything like plastic film or a sheet of specific dimensions or thickness.
Clamping the Sample – The sample should be securely clamped in the testing apparatus.
Position the Dart – A dart of specified weight and a specified height is placed from the base. This weight or dart is adjustable according to the requirements.
Controlled Drop – The electromagnetic holding of the dart is released, automatically or manually depending on the tester, causing it to fall and impact the specimen from a certain height.
Measurement and Data Analysis – The impact force caused by the free falling of the dart is measured by the measuring instrument. Multiple iterations are performed for more accurate results and data is collected accordingly to determine the impact resistance of material.
Applications of Dart Impact Testers
Dart impact testers are the primary instruments for the plastic film and packaging industry. However, these machines play a crucial role in various sectors to ensure the quality and performance of the products. Following are the diverse application packaging testing instruments:
Plastic Film and Packaging Industry
To ensure that plastic films used for product packaging can survive handling, transit, and regular usage, dart impact testers assess the films’ resistance to impact. This ensures the integrity of packaged products and prevents damage during shipping and delivery.
Paper and Textile Industry
The paper and textile materials are tested for durability against impacts to make sure they are suitable for the intended uses. For example, if paperboard boxes are packed they should be strong enough to be shipped easily while if any textile is packed, it should be ensured that it can sustain impact forces.
Medical Devices
Medical equipment, especially those with flexible components, can have its durability checked with a dart impact tester. Syringes may be tested using a dart impact tester, for instance, to make sure their functioning is unaffected even by unintentional shocks and falls.
Research and Developments
Packaging testing instruments are heavily deployed in research and development fields for the development of new materials. These testers are utilized to measure the impact of new materials invented and for the improvement of already existing materials to make them stronger and more durable.
Conclusion
From plastic wrap, and packing sensitive products to protecting our food to ensuring the strength of critical medical devices, impact resistance plays a crucial role in various industries. By using these testers, manufacturers confirm that the end product meets the intended application.
