Saicheng CHY-CA Paper and Board Thickness Tester

Overview

The Saicheng CHY-CA Paper and Board Thickness Tester is a precision mechanical contact instrument engineered for high-reproducibility thickness measurement of planar sheet materials in quality control and R&D laboratories. It operates on the fundamental principle of controlled-force mechanical displacement sensing: a calibrated anvil and a motorized measuring head apply standardized pressure (20 ± 0.5 kPa) over a defined contact area (10 cm²), compressing the sample to its equilibrium thickness under load—consistent with the physical definition of “caliper thickness” specified in ISO 534 and TAPPI T411. Unlike optical or ultrasonic methods, this approach directly measures the dimensionally stable thickness under standardized mechanical conditions, making it the internationally accepted reference method for paper, board, film, foil, and membrane characterization in packaging, printing, and converting industries.

Key Features

• Microcontroller-based embedded system with 5.7-inch backlit LCD and tactile PVC membrane keypad for intuitive operation without external PC dependency.
• Automated motorized head actuation ensures consistent descent velocity and dwell time, eliminating operator-induced variability in contact force application.
• Dual-mode operation: fully automatic multi-point scanning (user-definable step distance, number of points, and feed speed) or single-point manual measurement for rapid spot checks.
• Onboard statistical engine computes and displays real-time max, min, mean, and standard deviation across up to 99 measurement points per sample—critical for detecting caliper uniformity defects in roll-to-roll production.
• Factory-calibrated with NIST-traceable stainless steel reference blocks (included), supporting daily verification and periodic recalibration traceable to national metrology institutes.
• USB 2.0 interface enables direct data export to Windows-based PCs in CSV format; compatible with LIMS and ERP systems via simple file ingestion protocols.
• Rugged industrial-grade chassis with anti-vibration base plate and dust-resistant enclosure—designed for continuous use in QC labs adjacent to corrugating lines or coating stations.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The CHY-CA accommodates rigid to semi-flexible sheet materials with minimum dimensions of 50 mm × 50 mm and maximum thickness of 2.0 mm. Validated applications include uncoated and coated papers (e.g., offset, newsprint, label stock), corrugated board liners and mediums, aluminum foil, polymer films (BOPP, PET, PE), battery separator membranes, and silicon wafers (for non-destructive gross-thickness screening). Its mechanical design and pressure profile comply strictly with the geometric and loading specifications mandated by ISO 534 (paper and board), ISO 4593 (plastic film), ASTM D374 (electrical insulating materials), and TAPPI T411 (paper caliper)—ensuring cross-laboratory comparability and audit readiness for ISO/IEC 17025-accredited facilities. All test reports generated include embedded metadata: date/time stamp, operator ID (optional), calibration status flag, and applied standard identifier.

Software & Data Management

While the CHY-CA operates autonomously via its onboard interface, its USB connectivity supports seamless integration into regulated environments. Exported CSV files contain raw point measurements, statistical summaries, and instrument metadata—including firmware version, calibration due date, and serial-number-logged environmental parameters (ambient temperature/humidity if optional sensor module is installed). For GLP/GMP compliance, users may implement third-party data acquisition software that enforces 21 CFR Part 11–compliant audit trails, electronic signatures, and role-based access control. The device itself maintains internal event logs (power cycles, calibration events, error codes) accessible via diagnostic mode—supporting root-cause analysis during internal quality audits.

Applications

• Corrugated box manufacturing: linerboard and medium thickness profiling to verify flute formation consistency and predict compression strength (ECT).
• Flexible packaging QA: quantifying thickness variation across extrusion-coated films to detect die lip wear or melt flow instability.
• Printing substrate qualification: ensuring caliper uniformity within ±2% tolerance across A4 or SRA3 sheets to prevent registration drift and ink transfer anomalies.
• Recycled fiber processing: monitoring thickness rebound after drying to correlate with bulk density and moisture content.
• Regulatory submission support: generating ISO 534-compliant thickness datasets for FDA 21 CFR 176.170 food-contact paper certifications.

FAQ

What standards does the CHY-CA officially support for paper thickness testing?

It conforms to ISO 534, GB/T 451.3, TAPPI T411, and ASTM D1777—covering all major international definitions of paper caliper thickness under standardized pressure and contact geometry.
Can the CHY-CA measure textured or embossed board surfaces?

Yes, provided the local surface variation falls within the 2.0 mm maximum thickness limit and the measurement head contacts a representative flat region; optional raised-anvil fixtures are available for structured substrates.
Is calibration traceability documented for ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation?

Each unit ships with a certificate of conformance referencing NIST-traceable reference blocks (certified to ±0.2 µm uncertainty); full calibration records and uncertainty budgets are available upon request.
Does the instrument support networked data upload or cloud synchronization?

No native Ethernet or Wi-Fi capability exists; however, USB-exported CSV files integrate readily with enterprise data lakes via scheduled script-based ingestion pipelines.
What maintenance is required to sustain measurement accuracy over time?

Annual verification using supplied reference blocks is recommended; mechanical wear inspection (anvil flatness, head alignment) should be performed biannually by authorized service technicians.