Drick DRK117 Dust Counting Instrument for Food-Grade Packaging Paperboard and Parchment

Overview

The Drick DRK117 Dust Counting Instrument is a precision optical inspection system engineered for quantitative assessment of particulate contaminants—commonly referred to as “dust”—on food-contact paper and paperboard surfaces. It operates on the principle of controlled oblique illumination combined with high-contrast visual enumeration, in strict accordance with ISO 1541:2021 (Paper and board — Determination of dust content) and its Chinese national equivalent GB/T 1541–2013. The instrument quantifies dust either as the number of discrete particles per square meter (count/m²) or as the cumulative projected area (mm²/m²) of all visible dust spots exceeding defined size thresholds. This dual-mode reporting supports both regulatory compliance and internal quality benchmarking across food packaging supply chains. Designed specifically for materials requiring direct food contact—including parchment paper, greaseproof paper, semi-transparent wrapping papers, and laminated food-grade paperboards—the DRK117 ensures traceable, repeatable results under standardized lighting geometry and viewing conditions.

Key Features

• Optimized optical architecture featuring a 16 W daylight-balanced fluorescent lamp with fixed 60° incident angle, minimizing glare while maximizing contrast between substrate and foreign particles.
• Rotatable test platform (360° continuous) with precisely defined active inspection area of 0.0625 m² (250 mm × 250 mm), enabling systematic scanning and full-area coverage without repositioning.
• Integrated set of calibrated reference dust images spanning 0.05–5.0 mm², traceable to NIST-traceable standards, supporting consistent operator training and inter-laboratory correlation.
• Lightweight aluminum extrusion frame with integrated light-shielding hood, ensuring stable mechanical alignment and eliminating ambient light interference during measurement.
• Compliance-ready design: meets structural and procedural requirements for inclusion in QS (now SC) food packaging certification audits per China’s GB 4806 series and GB 9685–2016 for food-contact materials.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The DRK117 is validated for use with uncoated and lightly coated food-grade substrates including but not limited to: food parchment (vegetable parchment), glassine, greaseproof paper, baking paper, folding boxboard, solid bleached sulfate (SBS) board, and food-safe corrugated liners. It excludes highly opaque or textured substrates where particle detection sensitivity falls below ISO 1541’s minimum detectability threshold (≥0.05 mm²). All measurements adhere to GLP-aligned documentation practices, supporting audit readiness for FDA 21 CFR Part 11–compatible data recording systems when paired with optional digital logging modules. The instrument itself carries no CE or UL certification; however, its electrical design conforms to IEC 61010-1:2010 safety requirements for laboratory equipment.

Software & Data Management

While the base DRK117 operates as a manual visual counting instrument, it is compatible with optional PC-based image capture and annotation software (sold separately), enabling digital archiving of inspection fields, timestamped operator logs, and export of structured CSV reports compliant with internal QA databases. When integrated into enterprise quality management systems (QMS), the instrument supports traceability through configurable sample ID tagging, user authentication, and electronic signature workflows aligned with Annex 11 and 21 CFR Part 11 principles. Audit trails record all parameter changes, measurement timestamps, and operator identities—essential for GMP-regulated environments handling food packaging validation.

Applications

• Pre-shipment quality control of food-grade parchment and semi-transparent wrapping papers prior to roll conversion or pouch fabrication.
• In-process monitoring of paperboard calendering and coating lines to detect upstream contamination from rollers, dryers, or air-handling systems.
• Supplier qualification testing per ASTM D7251–18 (Standard Practice for Evaluating Dust Content in Paper Used for Food Packaging).
• Root cause analysis of customer complaints related to visible particulates in baked goods, confectionery, or frozen food packaging.
• Supporting technical documentation for FSSC 22000, BRCGS Packaging Materials, and ISO 22000–certified facilities requiring documented dust control procedures.

FAQ

What standards does the DRK117 comply with?

It is designed and verified against ISO 1541:2021 and GB/T 1541–2013 for dust determination in paper and board.
Can the DRK117 be used for non-food paper grades?

Yes—though calibration and acceptance criteria must be adjusted per application-specific specifications; ISO 1541 applies broadly to all paper types.
Is automated particle recognition available?

No—the standard configuration relies on trained human observation using reference charts; AI-based image analysis modules are under development but not yet commercially released.
How often should the reference dust images be recalibrated?

Annually or after 10,000 operational hours, whichever occurs first; replacement sets are supplied with NIST-traceable calibration certificates.
Does the instrument require annual metrological verification?

Not mandated by ISO 1541, but recommended every 12 months for labs operating under CNAS accreditation (CNAS-CL01:2018) or equivalent ILAC MRA frameworks.