Labthink C632M Multi-Function Heat Sealing Tester with Hot Tack & Seal Strength Measurement Capability

Overview

The Labthink C632M Multi-Function Heat Sealing Tester is an engineered solution for quantitative evaluation of heat seal integrity and hot tack performance in flexible packaging materials. It operates on the principle of controlled thermal sealing followed by immediate tensile separation—enabling precise measurement of peel strength at elevated temperatures (hot tack) and post-cooling seal strength (heat seal strength). Designed for laboratories conducting routine QC/QA testing in food, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods packaging, the instrument integrates thermally regulated dual-heating seal jaws, pneumatically actuated clamping, and high-fidelity force transduction within a single platform. Its architecture supports method-defined test protocols aligned with internationally recognized standards, ensuring data traceability, repeatability, and regulatory acceptability across GLP- and GMP-aligned environments.

Key Features

• Automated pressure control system with real-time regulation—pressure deviation maintained below ±0.005 MPa across the full 0.05–0.7 MPa operating range
• Digital PID temperature control enabling rapid thermal stabilization (±0.2 °C) within the 25–250 °C envelope; dual-zone heating ensures uniform thermal distribution across the 100 mm × 10 mm metal seal surface
• Pneumatic sample clamping with pre-tensioned jaw alignment—eliminates manual torque variability and delivers consistent clamping force for reproducible seal geometry
• Stationary load cell design minimizes mechanical noise and inertia-induced signal drift during high-speed peel testing (up to 12,000 mm/min)
• Integrated safety enclosure with interlocked observation window, anti-pinch mechanisms, and thermal shielding—meets IEC 61000-6-2/6-4 EMC and ISO 13857 mechanical safety requirements
• 7-inch industrial-grade capacitive touchscreen HMI with multi-level user authentication (admin/operator/guest), audit trail logging, and password-protected parameter modification
• Onboard data retention with power-loss recovery: all test configurations, raw force-time curves, and metadata are preserved during unexpected shutdowns
• Modular interface support: standard USB 2.0 port for flash drive export; optional RS-232 or Ethernet connectivity for LIMS integration

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The C632M accommodates common flexible packaging substrates including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyester (PET), and their laminated or coextruded composites—particularly those used in stand-up pouches, flow-wrap sachets, and barrier-sealed medical device trays. Sample widths of 15 mm, 25 mm, or 25.4 mm are supported via interchangeable jaw inserts, while the fixed 350 mm jaw spacing ensures standardized grip length per ASTM F88 and ISO 11607-2. The instrument is validated against ASTM F1921 (hot tack test method for plastic films) and GB/T 34445 (determination of hot tack strength of plastic films and laminates), and its output meets documentation requirements for FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with the optional DataShield™ software module—including electronic signatures, change history, and immutable audit logs.

Software & Data Management

The optional C632M Control Software provides full remote operation, customizable test method templates, real-time graphing of force vs. time and displacement profiles, and statistical analysis (mean, SD, CV%, min/max) across batch runs. All datasets are stored in .CSV and .XML formats compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 reporting structures. When deployed with DataShield™, the system enables centralized database synchronization, role-based access control, and automated report generation compatible with enterprise quality management systems (QMS). Raw sensor data is timestamped at 1 kHz sampling rate and tagged with environmental metadata (ambient temperature, humidity, operator ID, calibration status).

Applications

• Hot tack evaluation of PE-based snack food packaging during vertical form-fill-seal (VFFS) line start-up and speed ramping
• Seal strength validation for aluminum-laminated pharmaceutical blister lidding under accelerated aging conditions
• Process window mapping: correlating seal temperature, dwell time, and pressure to peel strength for new film formulations
• Comparative assessment of seal integrity across different seal bar geometries (flat, serrated, embossed)
• Root cause analysis of seal failures in sterile barrier packaging—supporting ISO 11607-1 Annex D investigations

FAQ

What standards does the C632M comply with?
ASTM F1921, ASTM F88, ISO 11607-2, GB/T 34445, and GB/T 27740.
Is compressed air supply included with the instrument?
No—the unit requires externally supplied dry compressed air at 0.7 MPa (101.5 PSI) via Φ6 mm PU tubing; an oil-free air compressor is recommended as an optional accessory.
Can the C632M perform both hot tack and heat seal strength tests in one cycle?
Yes—sequential hot tack (immediate peel post-seal) and cooled seal strength (after defined dwell time) can be programmed within a single test sequence.
What is the maximum allowable sample thickness?
The pneumatic clamping system accommodates specimens up to 2.5 mm total thickness, including multi-layer laminates with adhesive interlayers.
Does the instrument support GLP-compliant data archiving?
When equipped with DataShield™ and configured with enabled audit trail and electronic signature modules, it satisfies ALCOA+ principles and 21 CFR Part 11 Subpart B requirements for regulated environments.