Drick DRK113 Short-Span Compression Tester (SCT) for Paper and Paperboard

Overview

The Drick DRK113 Short-Span Compression Tester (SCT) is an engineered solution for determining the compressive resistance of paper and paperboard specimens under standardized short-span conditions. It operates on the fundamental principle of axial compression loading applied across a fixed 0.7 mm span—per ASTM D6854, ISO 9895, TAPPI T 826, and GB/T 2679.8—enabling rapid, reproducible measurement of short-span compression strength (SCT), a critical predictor of board stiffness, crush resistance, and performance in corrugated packaging applications. Unlike general-purpose compression testers, the DRK113 integrates precision-machined platens, a calibrated load cell with high linearity (< ±0.5% FS), and a rigid frame designed to minimize deflection during high-force testing (up to 100 N). Its mechanical architecture ensures consistent specimen alignment and eliminates edge effects common in long-span or unsupported configurations—directly supporting quality control workflows in pulp & paper mills, packaging R&D labs, and third-party certification facilities.

Key Features

• Compliant short-span compression geometry: Fixed 0.7 mm support span per ISO 9895 and TAPPI T 826 specifications
• High-accuracy load measurement: Digital load cell with resolution ≤ 0.1 N and repeatability ≤ ±0.3% of reading
• Motor-driven crosshead with adjustable speed: Programmable test speed from 0.1 to 10 mm/min (standard: 0.5 mm/min per ISO)
• Integrated digital display and manual control panel: Real-time force and displacement readout without external PC dependency
• Rigid cast-iron base and column assembly: Minimizes frame compliance to ensure measurement integrity at peak loads
• Specimen clamping system with parallel alignment guides: Ensures perpendicular loading and eliminates tilt-induced error
• CE-compliant electrical safety design and overload protection circuitry

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The DRK113 accommodates standard test specimens measuring 15 mm × 150 mm (width × length), cut parallel or perpendicular to the machine direction (MD/CD), as defined in ISO 9895 and TAPPI T 826. It supports grammage ranges from 80 g/m² to 400 g/m² and caliper up to 1.2 mm. All mechanical and metrological aspects conform to ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for testing laboratories, and the instrument’s calibration traceability follows national standards (CNAS-accredited reference standards). While not inherently GLP/GMP-certified, its mechanical stability and documented calibration protocol enable integration into regulated environments where audit-ready SOPs are maintained. The device meets essential safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements per IEC 61000-6-2 and IEC 61000-6-3.

Software & Data Management

The DRK113 operates in standalone mode with embedded firmware supporting data logging to internal memory (up to 500 test records). Optional USB interface enables export of raw force–displacement curves and summary statistics (mean SCT, SD, CV%) in CSV format for post-processing in Excel or LIMS platforms. While no proprietary software suite is bundled, the exported data structure aligns with common laboratory informatics systems. For users requiring full 21 CFR Part 11 compliance—including electronic signatures, audit trails, and user-level access controls—an external validated data acquisition system (e.g., LabVIEW-based or custom SCADA) may be integrated via analog output (0–10 V) or RS-232 serial interface. Calibration certificates include uncertainty budgets compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 Annex A.

Applications

• Quality assurance of linerboard and corrugating medium prior to corrugator feed
• Correlation studies between SCT values and ring crush test (RCT) or edge crush test (ECT) results
• Raw material evaluation: Comparative analysis of fiber furnish, refining degree, and wet-end additives
• Process troubleshooting: Detection of calendering over-compression or drying profile inconsistencies
• Supplier qualification testing per ISO 9895 and customer-specific technical agreements
• Educational use in pulp & paper engineering curricula for hands-on mechanical property instruction

FAQ

What standards does the DRK113 comply with?
ASTM D6854, ISO 9895, TAPPI T 826, and GB/T 2679.8 — all specifying short-span compression testing methodology and apparatus requirements.
Can the DRK113 be used for recycled board testing?
Yes; it is routinely employed for both virgin and recycled fiber-based papers and boards, provided specimens meet dimensional and moisture content criteria (equilibrated at 23°C ± 1°C and 50% RH ± 2%).
Is third-party calibration available?
Yes — Drick provides factory calibration with NIST-traceable documentation; independent calibration services are also offered by CNAS-accredited metrology labs in China and select international partners.
Does the instrument support automatic sample feeding?
No — the DRK113 is manually loaded; automated feeders are not integrated but may be retrofitted as custom OEM solutions upon request.
What maintenance is required?
Biannual verification of platen parallelism and load cell linearity; annual recalibration recommended; routine cleaning of guide rods and platen surfaces with isopropyl alcohol.