The packaging and product testing centre SCUS GmbH in Dresden has set itself the goal of simulating environmental influences that affect products, packaging and transport units and to achieve design improvements by analysing the test results in order to increase the service life of the products and prevent damage.
Following on from the long tradition of packaging testing in Dresden, which Prof. Ewald Sachsenberg began in 1928 with the establishment of the first German packaging test centre SCUS GmbH was founded in 2007 as a spin-off from the Dresden Fraunhofer Application Centre for Process Engineering and Packaging (AVV, now IVV), the sister institute of the Fraunhofer Institute in Freising. Since then, the founders have invested more than 1.5 million euros in technical equipment.
Simulation of loads
The initially two, now six employees of the young company are broadly trained packaging specialists, some of whom have over 20 years of experience in the field of packaging. Analysing environmental influences have. The main field of work of SCUS is the simulation of loads occurring in practice and their evaluation, whereby the test objects are packaging and loading units as well as products with and without packaging. Climatic stresses such as temperature, humidity and/or mechanical stresses such as horizontal and vertical impacts and vibrations that exert force and pressure on the test goods are simulated using modern testing technology. The extent of the occurring Transport, handling and storage loads for the different modes of transport, which are based on national, international or user-specific standards.
The tests are carried out at the customer's request with Recommendations for improvements underpinned. Although the results of this service are not directly visible to the end consumer, they represent an essential part of quality assurance both in the product area and in packaging production, as they contribute to optimising the suitability for transport and increasing the service life of the products and enable damage to be reduced or avoided.
Optimisation of the design
Important clients for SCUS are primarily medical technology companies, cosmetics manufacturers, the automotive sector and the solar industry. In addition to the optimisation of the packaging design, the selection of packaging padding or interior fittings, the aim of the orders is often also the Transportable construction of the various products themselves.
The short waiting times and the flexibility of the laboratory due to the Wide range of technical options are highly valued. In addition to the basic equipment with an air-conditioned laboratory and several climate chambers, vibration and compression testing systems, a linear acceleration test stand, drop test stands and vacuum testing equipment, this includes a customised Zwick compression press that was only installed this year, which is equipped with 330 kN compression plates and can accommodate products measuring 2,100 x 1,600 mm with a maximum height of 2,460 mm.
Cooperation with partners expands company profile
In continued close co-operation with the Fraunhofer IVV Dresden, which carries out R & D work in the field of processing and packaging of bulk goods and researches the interactions between filling material, packaging material and machine, it is possible to offer solutions for test orders requiring research and development. SCUS is also a member of the association Packnet Dresden®, This enables us to utilise contacts in the field of corrosion protection and to facilities in the area of paper technology and design.
Contact:
SCUS GmbH
Heidelberger Str. 20
01189 Dresden
Contact: Dipl.-Ing. Stephan Schreib, GF
Phone: +49 351 4483790
Fax: +49 351 4483799
e-mail: s.schreib@scus.de
