Drick DRK109DH Dual-Head Manual Bursting Strength Tester with Touchscreen Control and Automated Measurement

Overview

The Drick DRK109DH Dual-Head Manual Bursting Strength Tester is an ISO 2758-compliant instrument engineered for precise, repeatable determination of bursting strength and burst index of paper, cardboard, corrugated fiberboard, and other flexible packaging substrates. Based on the classical hydraulic diaphragm method—where a rubber diaphragm expands under controlled hydraulic pressure until specimen rupture—the DRK109DH applies uniform radial force to the test sample clamped between two concentric annular rings. Its dual-head configuration enables parallel or sequential testing of two specimens without repositioning, significantly improving throughput in high-volume QC labs while maintaining full compliance with TAPPI T403, ASTM D726, and GB/T 454 standards. Unlike fully automated servo-hydraulic systems, the DRK109DH retains manual clamping control for operator-dependent sample alignment—critical for heterogeneous or low-stiffness materials—while integrating digital touchscreen automation for pressure ramping, peak detection, dwell timing, and data capture.

Key Features

• Dual independent test heads with synchronized hydraulic actuation and individual pressure transducers for cross-validation and comparative analysis
• 7-inch capacitive touchscreen HMI with intuitive icon-based navigation, multilingual UI (English/Spanish/Portuguese/Chinese), and real-time pressure curve visualization
• Programmable test protocols: adjustable pre-load (0–2 kPa), ramp rate (0.5–100 kPa/s), and burst-hold duration (0–5 s) per ASTM D726 Annex A3
• Integrated calibration verification routine compliant with ISO 17025 traceability requirements; supports NIST-traceable pressure sensor certification
• Robust cast-aluminum frame with precision-ground annular clamping rings (Φ31.5 mm ±0.02 mm) and self-centering specimen holder mechanism
• Automatic zero-point compensation and thermal drift correction across operating ambient range (10–30 °C)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The DRK109DH accommodates specimens up to 150 mm × 150 mm with thickness ≤6.0 mm, including coated/uncoated papers, kraft linerboard, fluting medium, honeycomb board, and laminated flexible packaging films (when mounted on rigid backing). Clamping force is manually adjusted via dual knurled knobs to ensure consistent 1.0 MPa nominal contact pressure across variable grammage (60–400 g/m²). All mechanical and electronic subsystems conform to IEC 61000-4 electromagnetic compatibility standards and meet CE marking requirements for laboratory equipment. Test reports include mandatory metadata fields required by GLP audits: operator ID, instrument serial number, calibration due date, environmental temperature/humidity logs, and raw pressure vs. time CSV export.

Software & Data Management

Firmware v3.2 supports USB 2.0 and RS-232C interfaces for direct connection to LIMS or enterprise QA platforms. Built-in memory stores ≥5,000 test records with timestamp, operator code, and pass/fail flags based on user-defined upper/lower limits. Optional PC software (DRK-BurstLink Pro) provides statistical process control (SPC) charts, X-bar/R chart generation, CPK/PPK calculation, and automated PDF report generation per ISO/IEC 17025 clause 7.8.2. Audit trail functionality records all parameter changes, result deletions, and firmware updates with user authentication—fully satisfying FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures when configured with Windows-based validation package.

Applications

• Quality assurance of linerboard and corrugated shipping containers per ISTA 3A and ASTM D642
• Burst resistance validation of food-grade cartons undergoing thermal cycling or moisture exposure
• R&D evaluation of recycled fiber blends in sustainable packaging development
• Supplier qualification testing for pharmaceutical secondary packaging per USP
• Correlation studies between bursting strength, tensile strength, and tear resistance in pulp & paper mills
• Regulatory submission support for EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC) compliance documentation

FAQ

Does the DRK109DH support automatic specimen feeding?
No. It requires manual placement and clamping to ensure optimal specimen centering and edge integrity—particularly essential for low-basis-weight tissues or embossed boards.
Can test data be exported to Excel or LIMS without proprietary software?
Yes. Raw .CSV files containing pressure-time series, peak burst value, burst index, and environmental metadata are directly accessible via USB mass storage mode.
What calibration standards are recommended for routine verification?
NIST-traceable deadweight testers (e.g., Fluke 754 with 0.02% FS accuracy) or certified hydraulic pressure calibrators meeting ISO 4064 Class B requirements.
Is the instrument suitable for testing plastic films?
Only when backed with rigid support plates (supplied as optional accessory) to prevent slippage and non-uniform deformation during pressurization.
How frequently must the hydraulic fluid be replaced?
Every 24 months under normal lab use (≤10 tests/day); mineral oil ISO VG 32 is specified to maintain viscosity stability across 15–25 °C ambient operation.