Drick DRK713 Touchscreen Penetration Time Tester Based on Conductivity Principle

Overview

The Drick DRK713 Touchscreen Penetration Time Tester is a precision laboratory instrument engineered for the quantitative determination of liquid penetration time through protective barrier materials—primarily medical face masks, surgical gowns, isolation gowns, and other personal protective equipment (PPE). It operates on the conductivity principle: a conductive test liquid (typically synthetic blood or saline solution) is applied to the outer surface of a horizontally mounted specimen; upon breakthrough, the liquid bridges two embedded electrodes on the inner surface, triggering an electrical circuit closure. The system precisely records the elapsed time from initial contact to conductivity detection—defined as the penetration time. This method aligns with standardized test protocols requiring objective, operator-independent endpoint detection, eliminating subjective visual assessment. The DRK713 is designed for compliance-driven environments where reproducibility, traceability, and audit-ready documentation are essential—particularly in ISO 13485-certified manufacturing facilities and regulatory validation laboratories.

Key Features

• Capacitive touchscreen interface with intuitive icon-based navigation and multilingual UI support (English, Spanish, Chinese)
• Automated timing resolution of ±0.1 s, synchronized with real-time electrode conductivity monitoring
• Integrated dual-electrode sensor array with gold-plated contacts for stable signal acquisition and corrosion resistance
• Adjustable specimen clamping mechanism accommodating flat samples up to 150 mm × 150 mm with uniform pressure distribution
• Modular liquid delivery module enabling precise volumetric dispensing (0.5–5.0 mL) via calibrated syringe pump
• Self-diagnostic firmware that validates electrode integrity, power supply stability, and timing calibration prior to each test cycle
• Robust aluminum alloy chassis with ESD-safe surface finish and CE-compliant electromagnetic shielding

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The DRK713 accepts non-woven, laminated, coated, or melt-blown fabric specimens used in ASTM F1670 (synthetic blood penetration resistance), ASTM F1671 (phi-X174 bacteriophage penetration), and ISO 22609 (blood-borne pathogen penetration resistance) testing. Specimen thickness ranges from 0.1 mm to 3.0 mm; minimum tensile strength requirement: ≥5 N/5 cm (per ASTM D5034). The instrument supports standard test liquids per ISO 16603 (synthetic blood) and ISO 16604 (colloidal suspension), with optional temperature-controlled liquid reservoir (23 ± 1 °C) available as an accessory. All hardware and firmware meet IEC 61010-1 safety requirements for laboratory electrical equipment. Data output complies with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 readiness when paired with Drick’s optional LIMS-integrated software package (v3.2+), supporting electronic signatures, audit trails, and user role-based access control.

Software & Data Management

The embedded firmware includes a local database storing ≥10,000 test records with timestamp, operator ID, sample ID, environmental conditions (ambient temperature/humidity logged via integrated sensors), and raw conductivity waveform data. Export options include CSV (for Excel analysis), PDF test reports with digital signature fields, and XML formatted for integration into enterprise quality management systems (QMS). Optional PC-based DrickTest Suite v4.1 provides advanced statistical process control (SPC) tools—including X̄-R charts, capability indices (Cp/Cpk), and batch trend analysis across multiple instruments. All software modules undergo annual verification per ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Clause 5.9 (validation of software used in testing).

Applications

• Verification of barrier performance in ASTM F2100 Level 1–3 surgical masks during R&D and lot release testing
• Quality conformance evaluation of reusable and disposable gowns per AAMI PB70 standards
• Root cause analysis of coating delamination or fiber migration in multi-layer composites
• Stability assessment of hydrophobic treatments under accelerated aging (e.g., 7-day 50 °C/65% RH per ISO 11607-1)
• Supporting GLP-compliant biocompatibility studies where material integrity under fluid challenge is required
• Training and proficiency testing for QC technicians in certified medical device testing laboratories

FAQ

What test standards does the DRK713 directly support?
It is configured for ASTM F1670, ASTM F1671, ISO 22609, and ISO 16603 out-of-the-box; custom protocol scripting is available via firmware update.
Can the instrument detect partial or wicking-based penetration?
No—the conductivity principle detects only full-thickness breakthrough; lateral wicking is not measured and must be assessed separately using ISO 9073-8 or visual rating methods.
Is calibration traceable to national standards?
Yes—timebase calibration is traceable to NIST-traceable quartz oscillators; electrode resistance verification uses certified 10 kΩ and 1 MΩ reference resistors (calibration certificate included with shipment).
What maintenance is required for long-term accuracy?
Electrode cleaning with isopropyl alcohol every 50 tests; annual verification of timing accuracy and electrode response latency by authorized Drick service engineer.
Does the system support networked data upload?
Yes—Ethernet and Wi-Fi (802.11n) interfaces enable secure TLS 1.2 transmission to internal FTP/SFTP servers or cloud-based QMS platforms.