An ink rubber tester is an essential element in quality control of printed materials. Before products can be shipped for distribution, the manufacturer has to make sure that printed surfaces are resistant to abrasion. A rubber tester achieves this by applying pressure and temperature on a test strip to see if it suffers any damage. It allows you to check for color transfer during rub abrasion. Therefore, the equipment used for this process has to meet certain functionality standards to guarantee conclusive tests. The right ink rubber tester makes all the difference when conducting abrasion tests. Horsepower, speed ranges, weights, construction, accuracy, and lifespan are some fundamentals to check when getting an ink rub tester.
When buying an ink rubber tester, a few guidelines can help pick the best one.
The Construction
The material and design that is used to build an ink rubber tester will influence its performance and durability. A rub tester must put up with the temperatures, pressures, and speeds that are required to test the abrasion resistance of various products. For this reason, the equipment must be strong to withstand the punishment. Steel and aluminum are common options for manufacturers of ink rub testers. However, some use even stronger materials like chrome-plated brass to improve the quality of the device. The craftsmanship of every part matters as well because it determines the lifespan of the rubber tester.
Accuracy
Ink rubber testers come with their specifications, which include the precision of abrasion testing. During the test, the machine must be able to replicate real life abrasion as close as possible to gauge the damage risks that a product is exposed to. The precision stroke dictates how accurate the rub tester is. When deciding between devices, confirm the tolerances of different products. A Sutherland ink rub tester, for example, cites tolerances of almost 1/1000th with weights ranging +/- 3 grams. The accuracy of an ink rubber tester will also affect the repeatability of results hence, the need to get the most precise one.
Application Versatility
A good ink rubber tester must be designed to allow multiple applications. That is, it should be capable of handling a wide spectrum of tests. The weights that come with a device determine this aspect. An ink rubber tester will have standard weights of four and two pounds, but the customized options are the most important. You can have weights tailored for specific tests such as a heated weight to check for the hot abrasion resistance of a product. The margin of error that each weight provides is critical as well.
Usability
Another crucial buying criterion is the usability of an ink rubber tester. Over time, technology has made it possible for manufacturers to create rub testers with more functionalities and simpler operations. An LCD screen, for instance, makes it easier for the operator to read. The display can adjust to suit different lighting conditions. A control panel with several buttons gives an operator the ability to program the tester without too much trouble. The less training that operators need to understand an ink rubber tester, the more productive and efficient the machine is.