Drick DRK106 Taber-Type Universal Stiffness Tester for Paperboard
| Brand | Drick |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shandong, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Model | DRK106 |
| Measurement Range | 1–500 mN·m |
| Accuracy | ±2% (within 10–90% of full scale) |
| Repeatability | ≤2% (within 10–90% of full scale) |
| Pendulum Arm Length | 100 mm |
| Load Arm Length | 50 mm |
| Deflection Angles | 7.5°±0.3° and 15°±0.3° |
| Specimen Size | 70 mm × 38 mm |
| Operating Environment | 20±10°C, RH <85% |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 220×320×390 mm |
| Weight | ~20 kg |
Overview
The Drick DRK106 Taber-Type Universal Stiffness Tester is a precision mechanical instrument engineered for the quantitative determination of bending stiffness (also termed “taber stiffness”) in paperboard and thin corrugated board materials. It operates on the classical Taber principle—based on the torsional deflection of a vertically clamped specimen under controlled angular displacement—where stiffness is calculated as the bending moment (in mN·m) required to deflect the free end of a standardized sample through fixed angles (7.5° or 15°). This method directly correlates with ISO 5628, ISO 2493, GB/T 2679.3, and GB/T 22364, ensuring compliance with internationally recognized protocols for paper and board mechanical characterization. Designed specifically for low-basis-weight substrates and specimens under 1 mm thickness, the DRK106 delivers high reproducibility in routine quality control environments across packaging R&D labs, paper mills, and third-party testing facilities.
Key Features
- Microcontroller-based digital control system with embedded firmware for real-time torque acquisition and angle synchronization
- High-resolution digital motor drive enabling precise, repeatable angular positioning at 7.5°±0.3° and 15°±0.3°
- Optimized mechanical architecture featuring rigid cast-aluminum frame and low-backlash gear train to minimize parasitic flexure and hysteresis
- Standardized specimen holder accommodating 70 mm × 38 mm test strips—aligned with ISO/GB dimensional requirements
- Integrated calibration verification routine supporting traceable validation against certified reference standards
- Compact footprint (220 × 320 × 390 mm) and lightweight design (~20 kg) suitable for benchtop deployment in regulated laboratory spaces
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The DRK106 is validated for use with solid bleached sulfate (SBS), coated recycled board (CRB), folding boxboard (FBB), and uncoated kraft linerboard—provided specimen thickness remains ≤1.0 mm and grammage falls within typical packaging-grade ranges (120–400 g/m²). Its measurement domain (1–500 mN·m) covers the full operational spectrum for carton board stiffness assessment—from lightweight cosmetic packaging to medium-duty shipping containers. The instrument satisfies essential regulatory alignment requirements: it supports GLP-compliant testing workflows per ISO/IEC 17025, enables audit-ready documentation for FDA-regulated packaging validation (e.g., 21 CFR Part 11–compatible data export when paired with optional software), and conforms to mechanical testing clauses in ASTM D2176 (for folding endurance correlation) and TAPPI T 543 (stiffness reporting conventions).
Software & Data Management
While the DRK106 operates autonomously via its onboard microcontroller, optional PC connectivity (RS-232 or USB-to-serial adapter) allows integration with Drick’s proprietary StiffnessView™ software suite. This application provides automated report generation—including raw torque vs. angle curves, statistical summaries (mean, SD, CV%), pass/fail flagging against user-defined specification limits—and export to CSV, PDF, or XML formats. All measurement events are timestamped and logged with operator ID, environmental conditions (manual entry), and calibration status metadata—enabling full traceability for internal audits or external accreditation (e.g., CNAS, A2LA). Data integrity safeguards include write-protected storage, electronic signature prompts, and configurable audit trail retention periods.
Applications
- Quality assurance of folding cartons during incoming raw material inspection and finished goods release
- Correlation studies between board stiffness and downstream performance metrics (e.g., crush resistance, crease recovery, blister pack seal integrity)
- Formulation development for starch-based surface sizing or coating systems affecting fiber-fiber bonding rigidity
- Comparative analysis of recycled fiber blends versus virgin pulp composites under identical conditioning (23°C/50% RH per ISO 187)
- Supporting sustainability initiatives by quantifying stiffness retention after moisture cycling or accelerated aging per ISO 4582
FAQ
What international standards does the DRK106 comply with?
ISO 5628, ISO 2493, GB/T 2679.3, and GB/T 22364—covering definitions, apparatus specifications, conditioning requirements, and calculation methodology for taber-type stiffness testing.
Can the DRK106 measure materials thicker than 1 mm?
No. The instrument is mechanically and algorithmically optimized for specimens ≤1.0 mm thick; exceeding this dimension violates standard geometry assumptions and invalidates ISO-conforming results.
Is operator training required for compliant operation?
Yes. Proper specimen cutting, conditioning (per ISO 187), clamping tension control, and angle selection must follow documented SOPs to ensure inter-laboratory reproducibility—Drick provides ISO-aligned operator qualification templates upon request.
Does the system support automatic calibration verification?
It includes a built-in mechanical verification protocol using certified reference torque weights; full metrological calibration requires accredited external service per ISO/IEC 17025.
How is environmental variation accounted for in test reports?
Ambient temperature and relative humidity must be recorded manually prior to each test batch and appended to reports; deviations beyond 20±10°C or RH >85% require justification per ISO 12625-5 Annex B.
