A linear leak tester capable of testing the integrity of 11,000 bottles per hour with a single head is the highlight of the Profile Solutions stand at K (Stand 14C24). At K, the unit was testing 115-ml pharmaceutical containers at a rate of 10,900 bottles per hour. “At this rate, we can still detect holes down to 0.17 mm,” says Profile Solutions Director Thomas Mitchell.

The company has also developed a linear tester that can accommodate up to five independent servo-driven heads on its guideway. “This unit has the potential to replace a larger and more costly rotary unit for the testing of PET bottles, for example,” says Mitchell. Unlike multi-head units that operate using a feed screw, the servo-driven unit’s output increases ratiometrically with the addition of extra testing heads.

Mitchell says a five-head unit is capable of testing 8500 330-ml bottles per hour, and 5000 1-liter bottles per hour. “Our linear testers are not the solution to all bottle testing but we definitely fill a gap in upping the capacity to handle tasks that would normally be handled by more expensive rotary testers,” says Mitchell. “Linear units cost around half that of rotary units,” he adds.