Child safety - force to extract lighter

Case study

Extraction force test on a cigarette lighter and casing

Extraction force test graphical results on a cigarette lighter and casing

Solution

Software-controlled test stand and software
Clamping fixtures and accessories designed for the product tested

Benefits

Approved product safety testing to customer specification
Simple and reliable test procedure
Verstility to create other programs for R&D

Requirement

The customer manufactures lighters and is currently developing a case/guard designed to increase the safety for children.

The test consists of checking the minimum pull-off force necessary to extract the lighter from the guard at a 2.5 mm/min speed. The extraction force (no lower than 50N) would need to be measured from the strongest element predetermined by the manufacturer (the wheel).

As part of an R&D project, the customer required a system which would offer versatility in the test and calculation program. The data and the graphic representation would also need to be captured at a high resolution, i.e. 2000 Hz.

Solution

As per specification, Mecmesin supplied the Imperial computer-controlled test system with an intelligent loadcell able to capture data at 2000Hz.

A special accessory, developed by the client, holds the patented child-guard vertically. The holding accessory fixed to the anvil plate of the test stand, keeps the sample in the loadcell axis. A crocodile clip, attached to the loadcell via an extension rod, is gripping the wheel of the lighter. At a 2.5 mm/min speed, and an average of 50N, the crocodile clip pull-off wheel and the lighter slides from the wall of the patented child-guard.