AlphaLab

1. Unique precision.

The AlphaLab has been developed for flexible packaging, and uses flow measurement at a constant pressure.

2. Altitude simulation.

The altitude simulation has been developed to identify at what altitude a flexible packaging starts to leak when it is transported by air. This unique feature is exclusive to Astaara.

3. Immediately available digital data:

Tests results (destructive test) can be instantly transmitted to your computer via a USB connection. Analyse the results on a pivot table in order to identify the area to improve, and visualise them on a Gauss chart.

4. Accurate analysis results:

No more blocked needles compromising the results of your tests, no more guessing the size of the bubbles. Well adapted to packaging where there is little or no headspace (chocolate bar…), the AlphaLab will deliver extremely accurate results to help you to improve your process in a very short period of time.

5. Cost savings:

With the AlphaLab, you can measure the sealing of films of different thicknesses, and select the best performing one, which is not necessarily the thickest and most expensive. With the Perforating Tower, consumables like septa and needles are no longer needed.  

6. ISO 22000 & HACCP compliance:

Identify flexible packaging related critical points, conduct root cause analysis, establish your critical limit, test, correct, verify & document easily with the AlphaLab. Avoid product recall by making sure your food is safe to consume until the last day of the shelf life.

7. Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) packaging Control:

The AlphaLab will check that your products are within the acceptable leak range & that they will be preserved until the last day of the shelf life.

8. Brand protection and lasting taste for your products:

Avoid humidity and bacteria getting into your package and compromising the taste of your products. For potato chips manufacturers, preserve the crispiness and pillow effect.

9. Visualize the size of the leak:

When you test samples, the AlphaLab may deliver very different leak values, like 1 cc/mn or 30 cc/mn or 100 cc/mn. Sometimes, it is necessary to be able to visualize if it is a very small leak, or an important one. The AlphaLab has a coupler connection on the front panel that enables to you connect an accessory (supplied as a standard) with a small adjustable flow controller. You have to connect this accessory to the front panel by pushing the probe into the coupler, and put the other end in a glass of water. By turning the knob on the small flow controller, you will be able to adjust the flow, and therefore, visualize the bubble size output of the same leak in the glass of water.

The AlphaLab consists of 2 separate units: an AlphaTower (patented perforating device) and an AlphaLeakTester (leak testing unit). The AlphaTower and the AlphaLeakTester are communicating via a PS/2 cable and a PU tubing.

1. AlphaTower:

Patented perforating device.

OLED display 1,5 “.

Servo driven internal perforating thin conical stainless steel pointer.

Silicon bellows diameter: 15mm* (* other sizes / shapes: consult us).

Cantilever holder for free movement of tower.

2. AlphaLeakTester:

Leak testing unit.

The AlphaLeakTester operates according to flow measurement at a Constant Pressure following DIN 55508-1 of 01/02/2018.

Structure: steel and ABS.

Display: 3,5” resistive touch screen.

Internal air pump.

Alicat electronic pressure controller from U.S.A., 1000 mbar scale.    www.alicat.com

Alicat mass flow meter from U.S.A., 1000 sccm scale.

Microprocessor: embedded ATMEL2560, 16 Mhz.

Calibrated leak port.

Foot print: 260 x 250 mm     Weight: 10 Kg.

The AlphaLab is guaranteed 3 years.

Maintenance: No specific maintenance required.

We recommend that the calibration of each ALICAT is checked every 12 months.

Dimensions: Export packed = 55 x 34 x 20 cm.

All components ROHS.

HS Code = 820730 Tools, interchangeable; (for machine or hand tools, whether or not power-operated), tools for pressing, stamping or punching.

1/ Why do I need a special leak tester for flexible packaging? Are the leak testers
available not suitable?

Most leak tester would use a leak test method known as Pressure Decay, which measures the difference in pressure during the test. Problem is that, for flexible packaging, the Volume of the package is also changing during the test. And since Pressure x Volume is a constant, you cannot measure the leak accurately if both Pressure and Volume are changing at the same time during the test. The Pressure Decay is however perfectly suitable for rigid packaging. The AlphaLab is using the “Flow Measurement at a Constant Pressure” method according to DIN 55508-1 of 01/02/2018, particularly adapted to flexible packaging.

2/ Who can assist me if anything goes wrong?

We can assist you by remote video conferencing if there is no Service Company in your area / Country. We can do it during normal office hours and we are located in Singapore (GMT + 8 time zone). We can always support you outside of normal working hours with prior arrangement.

3/ Is there a risk that the package will be perforated totally, and the perforating pointer be damaged?

No, it is not mechanically possible that the perforating pointer will come in contact with the base, as it will stop 1 mm before.