Aluminium cap nozzle flexure break-off force
![Aluminium gas cylinder cap break off test start and completion Aluminium gas cylinder cap break off test start and completion](/sites/default/files/styles/case_study_gallery_540w/public/case-study/2024-04/alu-cap-break-off-test-detail.jpg.webp?itok=X8ecRg-9)
![Aluminium gas cylinder cap break off test samples fixtures and systems Aluminium gas cylinder cap break off test samples fixtures and systems](/sites/default/files/styles/case_study_gallery_540w/public/case-study/2024-04/alu-cap-break-off-test-systems-and-samples.jpg.webp?itok=3hJr3Vcu)
Solution
- Motor-drive force tester and gauge for display
- Quick engagement clamp
- Custom-designed fastening jig and chisel point probe
Benefits
- Simple, consistent and efficient testing
- Custom solution for unique product design
Requirement
A major global supplier of medical gas devices and components required quality control tests to assess part of a new product. One of their components, a 5 ml pressurised aluminium cylinder filled with helium gas, is incorporated into a needle-free powder intradermal analgesic injection system for children.
To ensure consistent quality and good manufacturing practices, the supplier needed to test the break-off force of the aluminium cylinder cap at its stem. The company used to perform the test manually, but required a motorised system, which could perform the test at a consistent speed to gain better result accuracy.
Solution
Mecmesin provided a MultiTest motorised test system with an Advanced Force Gauge (AFG), a chisel point accessory, to break-off the cap, and special fixturing to securely hold the sample in place. It was vital that the sample would always break at the same point, therefore, a special cantilever-operated sample holder was manufactured. This enables each cap to be loaded and precisely positioned using the same amount of pressure each time, which minimises variability.
A specially designed non-adjustable base plate also ensures the sample and fixturing remain static for consistency during and between measurements. Tests are performed at a constant speed of 50 mm/min, with the force displayed and recorded by the AFG.
Test equipment
- MultiTest 1-i motorised tester
- AFG Digital Force Gauge
- Custom-designed holding fixture
- Chisel Point Probe
![Aluminium gas cylinder cap break off test start and completion Aluminium gas cylinder cap break off test start and completion](/sites/default/files/styles/case_study_gallery_540w/public/case-study/2024-04/alu-cap-break-off-test-detail.jpg.webp?itok=X8ecRg-9)
![Aluminium gas cylinder cap break off test samples fixtures and systems Aluminium gas cylinder cap break off test samples fixtures and systems](/sites/default/files/styles/case_study_gallery_540w/public/case-study/2024-04/alu-cap-break-off-test-systems-and-samples.jpg.webp?itok=3hJr3Vcu)