Extrusion International 3-2017

INTERPACK 2017: REVIEW 36 Extrusion International 3/2017 Leak testing with patented Micro-Flow technology: E-PDQ Pfeiffer Vacuum: Leak testing solutions for a variety of applications Leak testingplays a vital part inquality control in awide rangeof applications. Reliable integrity of primary packaging is of crucial importance in the pharmaceutical industry to guarantee sterility and protect drugs from any microbiological substances, oxygen or moisture that may ingress. In the automotive industry, leak testing ensures that various components are operating perfectly, including parts guaranteeing the supply of gasoline. Pfeiffer Vacuum is one of the leading providers of vacuum technology and leak testing solutions. The corporation benefits frommore than 50 years of experience in the field of leak detection. At the Interpack and Control fairs, Pfeiffer Vacuum presented test technologies that satisfy numerous leak detection and measuring method requirements: leak detection using air, leak detection with a tracer gas and optical emission spectroscopy. The devices operate according to patented Micro-Flow technology. This technology consists of an inte- grated micro sensor that works on accelerated flow. A sensitivity of up to 5·10 -4 mbar l/s is achieved with this method. This technology is used in the automotive industry, such as for testing power trains and gearbox housings. A specific use of the Micro-Flow sen- sor is the Mass Extraction technique, which works on the principle of rar- efied gas flow. Testing takes place in vacuum conditions to attain higher sensitivity. This type of testing is par- ticularly suitable for packaging or enclosed objects, such as pharma- ceutical packaging and electronic components, that require to be test- Leak testing with air At the trade fairs, Pfeiffer Vacuum presented products made by its new subsidiary Advanced Test Concepts, Inc. (ATC) from Indianapolis, USA. The leak detectors that were exhib- ited work on the basis of leading leak testing technology using air, and so do not require any special tracer gas- es.