Texture Analysis in Action: Alphabetical Attachments Index

Over the past year or so, our Texture Analysis in Action blog posts have brought together information from our Applications Directories and other sources, along with videos of the tests in progress, to give a detailed overview of our test attachment range.

Now you can access these posts individually, by clicking on the links below.

You can of course also filter any other blog post series which may be of interest to you, by using the Filter by Label facility.

Why not bookmark this page, so that you can refer to these posts at your convenience in future?

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Texture Analysis in Action: Peel Testing

Stable Micro Systems offers a number of alternative fixtures for testing Peel Strength.
 
UNIVERSAL PEEL RIG (A/UPS)

Significant improvements have been made to previous designs of peel rig for evaluating the quality and strength of container seals and adhesive bonds.

Assessment of the peel properties of
a foil container lid

 
The Universal Peel Rig consists of a multi-position platform which is adjustable to allow the container to be held at 0, 45 and 90 degrees. The platform is screwed securely into position on the base of the Texture Analyser, to suit the container. An adjustable rubber strap accommodates different sized containers and multiple shapes. 

When attached to the peel tab of the container, a low profile peel clip and post maximise the peel length for use on a standard height Texture Analyser.

In combination with a software macro, the appropriate test fixture produces fast, accurate results for comparing batches in packaging and adhesive quality control and product development programmes.

Measuring the Texture of Added Flavours to Food

Measuring Powdered/Granulated Ingredients
 
Everyone knows the incomparable taste of 
homemade sauces and gravies, painstakingly created from a fond or bouillon, formed by the prolonged simmering of bones, offcuts of meat and vegetables. 
 
Whilst the flavour is unmistakable, their preparation is extremely time-consuming and expensive. The food manufacturer has available a wide range of ingredients that can be used to create sauces and gravies with relative ease and convenience. Bouillon powders or cubes are commonly available.

Texture Analysis in Action: the Adhesive Indexing System and Adhesive Testing

There is a sizeable range of attachments available, each of which is designed to carry out various aspects of adhesive testing.

ADHESIVE INDEXING AND 90° PEEL RIG (A/90PR)
Using this device, a 90 degree peel angle is maintained by the use of a cord and pulley system. A strip of tape is applied to the test bed or other standard surface of interest (according to customer specifications). 

The tape is peeled from the panel at a 90º angle at a specified rate, during which time the force required to effect peel is measured. 

The test is commonly used for quality assurance purposes where the minimum or maximum peel values expected for a particular tape can form an acceptance criterion.

Texture Analysis in Action: Tensile Grips range

TENSILE GRIPS RANGE: A/TG, A/MTG and A/ATG

The gripping action of the A/TG tensile grips is provided by a screw initiated vice clamp operating on knurled jaw faces of 35mm x 35mm. 

They are general purpose knurled jaw face grips suitable for holding samples which have a uniform rectangular shape and a maximum thickness of 25mm. 

The A/MTG Mini Tensile Grips have smaller jaw faces of 25mm x 10mm, with a maximum opening of 8mm. Used for assessment of tensile characteristics of samples such as packaging materials, plastic and aluminium film; and also (in a cycling motion) the flexibility of e.g. chewing gum sticks and confectionery leathers.

Keeping an eye on the quality of Ocular Delivery Products using Texture Analysis

Treatment of some diseases is best achieved by direct administration near the affected area, particularly with diseases involving ophthalmic, optic, dermal, oral cavity, and anorectal tissues.

Ocular drug delivery is an interesting and challenging opportunity for pharmaceutical development. 

The eye is protected by a series of complex defence mechanisms, which usually result in poor bioavailability of drugs administered via the ocular route. These include tear production and the blinking reflex in addition to short residence time and reduced drug permeability. The drug bioavailability can be enhanced either by providing prolonged/sustained delivery to the eye or by facilitating transcorneal penetration. 

Texture Analysis in Action: the Powder Compaction Rig

Powder Compaction Rigs:
Low Tolerance (left); High Tolerance (right)

The Stable Micro Systems POWDER COMPACTION RIG is available in two variants.

The High Tolerance Powder Compaction Rig (A/PCRS) is suited to high force applications where the punch/die clearance is critical; this fixture is auto-aligned using a universal adapter.

The Low Tolerance Powder Compaction Rig (A/PCR) is suited to other powder compaction applications such as assessing granule friability, where the punch/die clearance is less critical.

The use of Texture Analysis in Medical Device Development

Texture Analysis, which has long been used by the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic
industries, is now increasingly being used to evaluate properties of medical devices. 

Texture analysis refers to properties such as firmness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, tackiness, swelling/absorption, in addition to relaxation behaviour, fatigue and brittleness. For many of these tests, standard methods lag behind product development. 

Regulatory agencies including the FDA have used the TA.XTplus Texture Analyser to evaluate medical devices. In addition, the patent literature increasingly relies on texture analysis to validate claims. 

Read on for more examples of the application of texture analysis to the future of medical devices...