New Packaging Made of Both Rigid and Flexible Materials

Ana’s Food of Austin recently became the first commercial customer in North America to use both rigid and flexible material. The container features a square, injection-molded tub with flared sides that are made from rigid polypropylene posts. Then four panels of flexible and printable PP material are fused to the posts to create the sides of the container.

The company’s main objective in reformatting its packaging was to improve the sustainability and the new container uses up to 50% less plastic than regular salsa tubs. The polypropylene container is also 100% recyclable and the new design allows for easy stacking which can help reduce costs in shipping and stocking.

The trend for more sustainable packaging seems to be continuing to grow as we previously wrote a blog post about the market, which is predicted to reach $244 billion by 2018. Food manufacturers and packaging companies must ensure that the lighter packaging will still meet quality regulations as well as customers’ expectations. At Mark-10 we manufacture force and torque measurement products that not only test to ensure that the packaging will securely hold the contents but also that consumers will be able to easily open the package.

To learn more about our packaging testing solutions or to configure your own measurement system, visit our website. We also post more packaging industry news on our Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn pages.

The Future of 3D Printing

These days it seems that 3D printing can be found in every industry, and now it’s even in space. On November 24^th, 2014 Made In Space successfully 3D printed the first part at the International Space Station (ISS). Although in the past, parts have been 3D printed on Earth and then sent to space, this was the first time a part was manufactured in space. This printing marks a milestone in the technology which could make it possible to easily print replacement parts for the ISS.

More research must now be conducted on the parts that were printed in space to ensure they are of the same quality as those printed on Earth. A control group was printed on Earth and the parts printed in space will be sent back to Earth to undergo tensile strength, torque, and flexibility testing. These tests will help the Made In Space team make adjustments on its second 3D printer, which it plans to send to the ISS early in 2015.

At Mark-10 we offer a range of force and torque measurement products, ideal for numerous applications in the aerospace industry, as well as others. Whether measuring tensile force and torque for 3D printed parts, or a virtually limitless number of applications in virtually every industry, Mark-10’s modular product platform can be used by quality control, research, and engineering professionals here on Earth, and perhaps one day, beyond. To learn more, visit our website and be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for more company updates and industry news.

Growth in Pharmaceutical Packaging

As 2014 comes to a close we’re looking ahead to what the new year will bring and, according to a new report,the North American pharmaceutical packaging market is set to expand. According to the report, the market is expected to reach more than $26 billion by 2019 due to several factors which are driving exponential growth in the pharmaceutical industry.

In 2012 North America accounted for more than 40% of pharmaceutical sales worldwide, and now there is a larger focus on healthcare by the government, as well as a changing lifestyles and screening technologies, leading to more diagnoses and self-medication.

As pharmaceuticals rise so too must the packaging industry. For pharmaceutical and medical device packaging there are a variety of regulations that packagers must meet including environmental, consumer safety, and labeling compliances. At Mark-10 our force and torque measurement products can help the pharmaceutical and medical device industries achieve quality control objectives through applications such as tablet crush force, needle penetration force, syringe plunger force, bottle cap torque testing, and more. To learn more about our products, visit us online. We are also active on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook where we post more company updates and pharmaceutical news.

Lightweighting in the Auto Industry

Auto manufacturers have been exploring the trend of lightweighting to help reduce vehicle weight in order to meet new efficiency standards. Many automakers such as Ford are looking to replace steel bodies with aluminum bodies, first with its F-150 pickup, and now on to other vehicles as well. Toyota has also announced that it will use aluminum in its high-volume models as early as 2016. Other materials under increasing consideration include magnesium as well as plastics.

With this trend, extensive testing is critical. Engineers must ensure that these new materials are as strong and durable as traditional ones, while preserving or enhancing the driving dynamics of the vehicle. At Mark-10, our range of force and torque measurement products may be used for a variety of important tests, such as tensile, break, three-point bend, torsion, and others. Mark-10 systems are modular and can be configured via a wide range of force and torque gauges, test stands, attachments, and software. Our systems are widely used in the automotive manufacturing industry, as well as aerospace, packaging, medical device, and other areas.

To learn more about Mark-10 and how we can help with your unique requirements, visit our website. We are also active on Twitter where we post updates and industry news.

Meet Mark-10 at the MD&M Minneapolis Expo

This year we will be returning to the MD&M Minneapolis expo for the first time in a few years and we’re excited for the opportunity to meet with some of our customers face-to-face. The expo runs from October 29-30, 2014 at the Minneapolis Convention Center and we’ll be located at booth 1153. We’ll be showcasing some of our products that are ideal for the medical and pharmaceutical industries, including our force and torque measurement devices that are ideal for testing package seal strength, tensile testing, cap torque testing and more. Our product lines include handheld gauges to complete systems that include can include a test stand, force gauge, as well as grips and fixtures.

In addition to exhibitor booths, the expo will also host an array of conference sessions that explore topics such as 3D printing, innovations in cardiology, designing medical devices, and more. The expo also boasts free innovation tours that will explore the latest technology on the show floor, the Tech Theater which will present technology and product briefs from suppliers, and Center Stage which will offer attendees the chance to meet with real-life medical masterminds, watch live product teardowns, and get tips.

To learn more about the products we’ll be showcasing at the expo, visit our website. You can also follow us on Twitter as well as the MD&M expo with the hashtag #MDMMinneapolis.

New Innovations in Plastic Packaging

This summer Avantium closed a $50 million deal to create a polyethylene furanoate (PEF) bottle. PEF is a material made from plant-based 2nd generation feedstock. This new bio-based resin could bring changes to the plastics packaging market as Coca-Cola, Danone, Alpla, and others have invested in Avantium’s commercial scale plant.

Some of the benefits of PEF include its sustainability factor as well as some performance advantages. According to packaging expert Gordon Bockner, PEF has a superior gas barrier when compared to PET packaging and also has better tensile strength which allows for improved light-weighting and superior thermal stability without heat-setting. However, Bockner also notes that PET packaging still remains strong in the US and that although a 100% bio-PET molecule does not yet exist, it may in the future.

At Mark-10, we have extensive experience working with the packaging industry, satisfying numerous applications including t-peel, 90-degree peel, tensile, top load, cap torque, and may others. To learn more about Mark-10 solutions for the packaging and other industries, visit our website. We can also be found on Twitter and LinkedIn where we post more industry news and company updates.

The Importance of Calibration

Keeping your force or torque measuring instruments properly calibrated is critical to ensuring the quality of your manufactured material, component, or assembly. Although such instruments in many cases do not drift out of their accuracy specifications for lengthy periods of time, calibration is recommended at least once per year to ensure accuracy. In cases of heavy use, more frequent calibrations or verifications can be appropriate.

At Mark-10, we have a fully equipped climate-controlled calibration laboratory. With our US and European service centers, we provide quick turnaround. When gauges and sensors are sent back to our main US facility, we provide a NIST-traceable certificate of calibration. We can also provide a certificate of calibration with data which lists 10 data points in each direction (tension/compression or clockwise/counter-clockwise). As found/as left data can also be supplied upon request.

For customers requiring certificates of calibration to the ISO 17025 standard, we can provide such calibrations via a partner laboratory, as well as through many of our distributors. If sending an instrument to us, please request an RMA number before doing so, and include a printed copy of our RMA form in the box.

To learn more about calibration services, visit our website. We can also be found on Twitter and LinkedIn where we post industry and company news.