Texture Analysis in Action 2: Indexable Film Support Rig

Film Support Rig

The Film Support Rig is used in conjunction with the TA.XTplus texture analyser to measure the burst strength and resilience of a variety of personal care and pharmaceutical products.

These include oral hygiene strips, plasters, bandages, polymer film, micropore tape, synthetic skin and latex, amongst other ‘Edible Film’ applications finding their way into the food industry.

Many pharmaceutical products, particularly plasters and bandages, are designed to be extremely thin, increasing comfort and ease of storage or use. Other films are designed to dissolve on the tongue.

Texture Analysis in Action 2: Unconfined Yield Stress Rig

Stable Micro Systems have launched the Unconfined Yield Stress Rig for the measurement of powder flowability.

In industries that handle powders on a regular basis it is very important to understand how a powder or granular material responds to pressure. In storage, the weight of powder in a container exerts pressure on the particles at the bottom.

If the powder has good flow behaviour it will not consolidate and will flow out of the silo or hopper without sticking – this is very desirable. The longer a powder is stored for, the more likely it is to form a cake in its hopper and refuse to flow without further assistance.

Texture Analysis in Action 2: Nail Polish Adhesion Rig

The Nail Polish Adhesion Rig and method have been developed by Stable Micro Systems to provide the solution to this assessment requirement. 

During the polish drying time test, a channel 20cm long is filled with polish to a depth of 0.5 mm and wiped level using a glass rod. 

At this point a timer within the Exponent software test sequence is started. This depth is representative of a typical coat of polish on a fingernail; a depth of 0.5mm dries to approximately 0.2mm. This channel is seated on top of the Adhesive Indexing System that has ten detents and so ten test sites are available by simply sliding the platform along. 

Texture Analysis in Action 2: Ring Pull Rig

The Ring Pull Rig was developed to allow manufacturers of food tins and beverage cans to measure the force needed to lift the ring pull and open the container. 

This relatively new development could signal the end of consumer frustration with trying to open metal packaging that is too stiff, or where the ring pull detaches from the lid. 

Understanding and quantifying the force needed to use a ring pull is vital for both packaging manufacturers and their customers to ensure safety, functionality and consumer experience.

Texture Analysis in Action: Safety Screen

For the only Texture Analyser with safety in mind.

A protective screen is sometimes a necessary accessory to protect the operator in the event of sample fragments leaving the test area during a test. 

A Safety Screen is now available for operator protection from such fragments or violent failures of specimens such as hard and brittle materials that may shatter or create projectiles upon failure. In addition, there are instruments used by multiple and/or unskilled operators that may prefer the installation of such a screen for an extra degree of operator safety. 

Texture Analysis in Action 2: Triple Ring Cutting System

There is a range of food products which consist of small, irregular and non-uniform particulate pieces which are solid but are predominantly consumed or handled in bulk, e.g. meringues, popcorn, nut clusters, noodles.  

This range also covers very hard and brittle variable structures which fracture easily when deformed, e.g. cut, snapped, penetrated or compressed. 

The primary issue of these types of samples is that because they are usually of varying sizes or are of non-homogeneous nature comparisons are difficult. They have a high variability from piece to piece within the same batch and require a sample set to be tested.

Texture Analysis in Action: Probe Converters & Adapters

Quick twist probe converter

For texture analyser users who are looking for ways to increase their sample testing throughput and improve the convenience of probe attachment to their texture analyser, we have two innovative options.  

Users can now choose to have a converter fitted to their probes to allow for quick removal and replacement between tests. 

Either ‘magnetic’ or ‘quick-twist’ probe converters are available, in batches of 5. These quick probe removal and replacement options are the first of their kind in texture analysis and support the requirement for test procedures that have efficiency and/or convenience in mind. 

Texture Analysis in Action 2: The Asian Noodle Rig

Extensive work has been carried out at the Wheat Marketing Center in Oregon, USA, by Gary Hou and his team.  

They use a particular type of perspex blade on their TA.XTplus Texture Analyser to measure noodle firmness; this has now become internationally popular and therefore has been included in the Stable Micro Systems probe and fixture range.

The rig can be seen in use here in a video of Noodle firmness testing...

It presents the method for noodle sample preparation of dry and cooked noodles and its testing using the TA.XT2/TA.XTplus Texture Analyser. This method is currently under consideration by the Asian Product Technical Committee of AACC International.