Labthink Knowledge

Traditional Loss on Drying testing requires operators to manually transfer samples between drying equipment and analytical balances. During this process, temperature changes, humidity variations, and handling differences may affect measurement stability and final results. The Labthink C870 Integrated Loss on Drying Testing System, including C870M and C870H models, is designed to overcome these challenges by integrating drying, cooling, weighing, and calculation into one automated workflow. The system adopts a dual-chamber independent structure ,separating the drying chamber from the weighing chamber. This design minimizes thermal influence on the precision balance and improves measurement stability. During testing, the instrument automatically performs sample handling, drying, cooling, and weighing without continuous operator intervention. By reducing repetitive manual operations, the C870 series helps laboratories improve efficiency, minimize operator variation, and achieve more consi...

Labthink is pleased to announce its participation as an exhibitor at  Smithers' Plastics & Paper for Food Contact Packaging 2026 , taking place on 8–10 December 2026 in Vienna, Austria. Plastics & Paper for Food Contact Packaging is more than just a conference - it is a gathering of likeminded professionals looking to address all topical concerns in the food contact industry and develop their knowledge on how to best comply with the latest regulations for plastic and paper packaging in contact with food. The scope of this event is much broader than just plastics and paper, with insight into: The latest legislation Compliance case studies and pertinent issues of food packaging Plus information on inks, coatings and adhesives Confirmed speakers for 2026 include Triskelion, European Commission, OFI – Austrian Research Institute, BASF, Hubergroup, PETCORE Europe, Plastics Europe and many more.   Automating Overall Migratio...

Loss on Drying (LOD) is one of the most widely used analytical methods for determining the loss of volatile substances in pharmaceutical, food, and chemical products. By measuring the difference in sample weight before and after controlled drying, LOD testing provides valuable information about product characteristics, quality consistency, and compliance with industry requirements. In pharmaceutical manufacturing, Loss on Drying is an important quality control parameter for raw materials, intermediates, and finished products. The content of moisture and other volatile components may directly influence product stability, processing performance, and storage conditions. For decades, laboratories have relied on traditional manual LOD procedures. However, conventional workflows often involve multiple steps, including sample preparation, initial weighing, drying, cooling, repeated weighing, and manual calculation. These operations require significant operator involvement and may introduce v...

In the high-speed world of Vertical Form Fill Seal (VFFS) packaging, the difference between a perfect production run and a morning of wasted film often comes down to a single invisible variable: the Coefficient of Friction (COF) . Whether your film is stuttering over the forming collar or slipping through the pull belts, understanding the interplay between static and kinetic friction is the key to maintaining machine uptime. Section 1: Static vs. Kinetic COF in Packaging To troubleshoot machine failures, we must first distinguish between the two phases of friction. Static COF (The Starting Force): This is the peak force required to initiate movement between two resting surfaces. In VFFS, this occurs when a heavy film roll begins to unwind after a pause, or when the film rests against the metal forming collar before the pull cycle begins. Kinetic COF (The Sliding Force): Also known as dynamic friction, this is the continuous force required to maintain movement at a steady, constant sp...

  In the modern packaging material landscape, aluminum foil remains a cornerstone for preserving product integrity. From the pharmaceutical industry to the food industry, this thin metal sheet provides a level of protection that most polymers cannot match. As global markets shift toward extended shelf lives and stricter safety standards in 2026,understanding the performance and quality control of foil-based solutions is more critical than ever. Advantages of Aluminum Foil Packaging The widespread adoption of aluminum foil is driven by its unique physical and chemical properties: Total Barrier Protection: Aluminum foil acts as a "dead-fold" barrier, providing nearly zero oxygen transmission rate (OTR) and total resistance to light and odors. Moisture Barrier: It is the ultimate moisture barrier, effectively blocking water vapor to prevent spoilage, hydrolysis, and rancidity in sensitive products like fishery items or semi-moist snacks. Thermal Stability: It is non-flammable...

  Residue on Ignition (ROI) is a widely used analytical method to determine the amount of inorganic impurities in a material. It is commonly applied in pharmaceutical, chemical, and food-related industries where material purity is critical. In simple terms, ROI measures the non-combustible residue remaining after a sample is subjected to high-temperature ignition. Why ROI Matters Residue on Ignition is widely used for: Pharmaceutical quality control (e.g., USP <281>) Raw material purity evaluation Contamination monitoring Process consistency verification It provides a reliable indicator of total inorganic residue, even though it does not identify specific components. The Principle: Loss on Ignition ROI is based on gravimetric analysis , also known as loss-on-ignition . When a sample is heated in a muffle furnace (typically 500°C–800°C ): Organic substances decompose and volatilize Carbon-based materials are burned off Inorganic residues remain as ash The remaining residue re...