Medical Device Link.

TECHNOLOGY NEWS: TESTING EQUIPMENT

A portable digital torque tester is available in four capacities, starting with a 1.5 N•m model for delicate tasks.

Suitable for laboratory or production site use, a portable digital torque tester is designed to assess low-level torques associated with certain medical products and pharmaceutical packaging closures. The Tornado from Mecmesin Ltd. (Slinfold nr Horsham, W Sussex, UK; www.mecmesin.com) includes pass or fail alerts with five programmable memory settings, an onboard memory that can store up to 500 readings, and a bidirec­tional data interface. It also has the capability to characterize the two torque peaks associated with tamper-evident closures.

The tester is housed in a tough IP54-rated casing made of unpainted polypropylene, making it suitable for use in pharmaceutical-related environments. Four capacities are available, from the 1.5 N•m model, which is designed for delicate tasks, to 3, 6, and 10 N•m units for increasingly robust applications.

Systems with digital torque capture are more accurate than traditional mechanical torque testers, according to the company, and clear, intuitive controls ensure that the unit is easy to use. An adjustable mounting plate grips the base of the sample, presenting it for application of clockwise or counter-clockwise torque by hand. Five dedicated function keys provide rapid access to the most commonly used functions. A lockable advanced menu navigates the system’s more-sophisticated features.