Questions about vacuum chambers

All our units are supplied with a bonnet system that is guided by 2 hydraulic cylinders to facilitate opening and closing. These cylinders act as shock absorbers.

This system prevents any potential injuries that could result from handling a conventional bonnet without these “shock absorbers”.

Our devices are supplied with digital displays with a resolution of 1 mbar, and the pressure is stabilised by an automatic system that regularly checks the “negative pressure” and adjusts it if it fluctuates by more than

+/- 5 mbar

If your initial set point is -400 mbar, the regulation system maintains the vacuum between -405 mbar and -395 mbar.

In order to be able to visualise the flow of the liquid in the chamber, it is preferable to test products containing liquid dry in our chambers.

Products containing liquids often have to be tested “upside down” to ensure that the air remaining in the container does not leak out first… The entire part of the product that is likely to leak must be in contact with the liquid. Some products containing very little air can be tested lying down, but you need to be sure that the air is not in contact with the parts likely to leak…

To check that no bubbles escape during the test, it is best to test the product underwater. Air bubbles will be easier to spot this way. With a dry test, it’s impossible to spot escaping air.

This test protocol complies with the following standards

ASTM D3078 – Standard Test Method for Determination of Leaks in Flexible Packaging by Bubble Emission.
ASTM F2096 – Standard Test Method for Detecting Gross Leaks in Medical Packaging by Internal Pressurization (Bubble Test)

Because of the depressurisation that takes place in the aircraft’s hold.

In fact, airlines reduce the pressure by around -250mbar during air transport. This is to minimise the cost of pressurisation in aircraft and reduce the mechanical stress on the aircraft. The same applies in the cabin where you travel.

Your packaging is therefore subjected to a lower pressure than at its packing altitude, which causes it to inflate because the pressure inside balances out with the pressure outside.

It is this principle of pressure difference that we use in our caissons. We can simulate air transport by applying a negative pressure of -250mbar to your packaging and leaving it in place for a long period of time to simulate real air transport conditions.

Yes, there’s no problem testing rigid packaging, but the stresses will be even greater on the part that makes the seal. The pressure difference between the inside and outside of the container will enable the test to be carried out with very good results.

The tests can be carried out without problems in the chambers, but if the products contain air, the immersion test will alter the product. This is known as destructive technology.

There is no problem, however, if the products contain liquid, as the dry test will not alter the product.

To overcome this problem of destructive technology, our product range also includes specific equipment for non-destructive testing.

The two versions are very similar and the differences are not immediately obvious. 

The PLC version (P model), which is the top-of-the-range version, comes with a complete “ORION OS” operating system that lets you install applications to control products in different ways, just like on a smartphone.

This PLC version (P model) also features a multi-user system that guarantees the isolation of each user session, allowing each user to customise their test interface and programs.

This PLC version (model P) also allows us to connect an optional SD card reader for exporting results. A printer for printing out test results and a barcode reader for quicker selection of the right test programme for the product.

This is the version that we recommend for projects that need to evolve rapidly.

The model A is a simpler version than the model P, without multi-user access system, without saving datas…

All our equipment is supplied with a calibration certificate, whatever the size and whatever the control system chosen.

This certificate guarantees that the information provided by our equipment is correct. It is important that the vacuum level displayed is the actual vacuum level in the chamber. The quality of the inspection you carry out depends on it.

It is also a commitment on our part to the quality of our equipment.

The certificate is delivered with the appliance.

All our housings are carefully manufactured and assembled by our team. The electronics and pneumatics are located in the control module. It is very easy to access and modify the connections or change components.

If the module is faulty, we can offer you a standard exchange so that you can repair your module without interrupting your production.

Sales and after-sales service questions

Our machines come with a standard 2-year warranty on parts and the cabinet itself. This guarantee is valid throughout the world and we will repair the machine during this period without charging for the cost of parts and the replacement of the casing if it develops a fault during ‘normal’ use.

However, this standard guarantee does not cover the cost of transporting large parts to the customer. A customer who has a problem with a large part (the casing itself) in Europe is covered by the standard warranty, but will pay the cost of transport and customs clearance for these large parts, which he receives from Mexico for replacement on his machine.

A stock of small standard parts also exists in France.

At Control Sensei, we have another guarantee that we call the International Guarantee. When you take out this guarantee, you receive all parts free of charge and at no extra cost anywhere in the world. Our team of technicians gives priority to this type of customer over “standard” customers when carrying out their work. This international guarantee is valid for 1 year and can be renewed for 5 years.

Our technical team will make an appointment with you to propose an on-site intervention if necessary.

Beforehand, our engineers will provide “installation requirements” to the customer’s maintenance team. These pre-requisites make it possible to anticipate the purchase of small connection equipment.

If your teams are already familiar with the use of industrial-type machines, there will be no problem getting the unit up and running.

Depending on your requirements, we may be able to arrange for our technicians to come and train you in the use of the unit.

An installation manual and a user manual will be supplied on delivery.

If required, we can also provide your technical department with a maintenance manual to carry out first-level preventive maintenance on the unit.

For customers who so wish, we also offer an on-site qualification service (IQ/OQ) during installation.

Since the beginning of 2024, we have been offering training courses for companies. Strictly speaking, we are not a training organisation and our courses are not yet certified, but we are working on it.

In particular, we have a partnership with Pack Avenir, the professional entity of the ESEPAC school in Le Puy en Velay.