GBPI GM-1 – Coefficient of Friction (COF) Tester (Static & Kinetic)
- Precision laboratory coefficient of friction tester for plastic films, sheets, foils, and paper substrates
- Full testing compliance with ASTM D1894, ISO 8295, TAPPI T816, and GB 10006
- Simultaneous determination of both Static Coefficient of Friction (μs) and Kinetic Coefficient of Friction (μk)
- High-precision load cell force measurement range of 0 to 9.8 N (1 kgf) with accuracy of ±0.5% F.S.
- Adjustable continuous test travel speed from 0 to 500 mm/min with standard 100 mm/min preset
- Standard 200 g sled with optional 500 g sled and heated test bed for elevated-temperature friction profiling
- Integrated touchscreen controller displaying real-time friction-displacement curves and automatic statistical averaging
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The GBPI GM-1 is an industry-benchmark, high-precision laboratory coefficient of friction tester engineered to measure the static and kinetic (dynamic) coefficients of friction of plastic films, composite laminates, paperboards, aluminum foils, rubber sheets, conveyor belts, and printed flexible packaging webs. Built in strict conformity with premier international testing standards including ASTM D1894 (standard test method for static and kinetic coefficients of friction of plastic film and sheeting), ISO 8295, TAPPI T816, and GB 10006, this benchtop instrument delivers certified friction characterization essential for packaging machinability.
The frictional properties of flexible packaging films dictate their performance across high-speed automated vertical and horizontal form-fill-seal (FFS) bagging lines, pouch filling machines, and winding slitters. If the kinetic coefficient of friction is overly high, films drag across forming collars, causing tracking jams, web necking, and film stretching; conversely, if the surface friction is too slippery due to excessive slip additive (erucamide or oleamide) bloom, wound rolls telescope and stacked packages slide uncontrollably off distribution pallets. Operating as an automated coefficient of friction tester, the GBPI GM-1 draws a standard weighted sled across a flat specimen plane at an exact velocity, recording initial peak force and steady-state sliding resistance.
Dual Friction Calculation & Smooth Stepper Drive
The instrument incorporates an ultra-smooth ball-screw driven translation carriage powered by a digital stepper motor, eliminating micro-chatter and stick-slip vibrations. A high-resolution load cell captures the initial peak breakaway force to compute static friction (μs) and averages subsequent sliding forces across a 100 mm stroke to quantify kinetic friction (μk) with 0.001 resolution.
Versatile Sled Weights & Heated Bed Options
Equipped standard with a 200 g precision sled with calibrated foam backing, the GM-1 also accommodates optional 500 g sleds and a thermostatic heated bed assembly up to 99 °C for characterizing slip behavior under actual packaging line sealing temperatures.
Featuring a standalone touchscreen terminal, dynamic curve plotting, and direct USB data reporting, the GM-1 provides packaging converters and film manufacturers with indispensable slip property verification.
GBPI GM-1 Coefficient of Friction Tester – Technical Specifications
| Technical Parameter | Specification Details |
|---|---|
| Test Principle | Horizontal Sled Linear Translation (Static Breakaway Force & Dynamic Sliding Force) |
| Applicable Standards | ASTM D1894, ISO 8295, TAPPI T816, GB 10006 |
| COF Measurement Range | 0.001 ~ 0.999 (Static μs and Kinetic μk) |
| Measurement Resolution | 0.001 (High-resolution digital load cell acquisition) |
| Load Cell Force Capacity & Accuracy | 0 ~ 9.8 N (1 kgf); Accuracy: ±0.5% F.S. |
| Standard Sled Mass & Dimensions | 200 g ±2 g; 63 mm × 63 mm (Optional 500 g sled available) |
| Test Travel Speed | 0 ~ 500 mm/min (Standard ASTM speed: 100 mm/min ±10 mm/min) |
| Test Sliding Stroke | 100 mm (Standard effective measuring displacement) |
| Maximum Sample Thickness | ≤ 2 mm (Films, laminates, sheets, and thin boards) |
| Overall Dimensions | 500 mm (L) × 320 mm (W) × 220 mm (H) |
| Instrument Net Weight | Approximately 16 kg |
| Power Supply & Rating | AC 220 V ±10%, 50 Hz / 60 Hz; Total Power: 60 W |
Key Features & Engineering Highlights
- Dual Static & Kinetic Quantification: Simultaneously records initial peak breakaway static force and continuous dynamic sliding friction.
- Compliance with ASTM D1894 & ISO 8295: Certified testing kinematics matching major international packaging film standards.
- Precision Stepper Motor Drive: Vibration-free lead-screw travel mechanism ensures perfectly smooth carriage translation without stick-slip artifacts.
- High Accuracy Digital Load Cell: Force acquisition precision within ±0.5% F.S. across the entire 0 to 9.8 N measuring spectrum.
- Broad Variable Speed Regulation: Travel speeds adjustable from 0 to 500 mm/min to simulate diverse automated packaging line speeds.
- Touchscreen Interactive Display: Real-time visualization of force-displacement friction curves, automatic μs/μk calculations, and standard deviations.
- USB Data Export & Statistics: Store multiple batch runs with automatic calculation of mean values and exportable CSV/Excel reports.
Standard Package & Accessories
| Item Description | Quantity |
|---|---|
| GBPI GM-1 Coefficient of Friction Tester Mainframe | 1 Unit |
| Standard 200 g Weighted Friction Sled (63 mm × 63 mm) | 1 Pc |
| Precision Film Sample Clamping Bar Fixtures | 1 Set |
| Standard Sled Traction Wire Link Assembly | 1 Set |
| Power Supply Cable & Ground Lead | 1 Set |
| Operating Manual & Factory Calibration Certificate | 1 Set |
Target Industry Applications
Flexible Packaging Films
Testing film-to-film and film-to-metal friction on BOPP, CPP, PE, and PET films used on vertical and horizontal form-fill-seal (FFS) machines.
Paper & Paperboard Products
Determining static friction of corrugated shipping boxes and multiwall paper sacks to prevent carton slippage during pallet transport.
Rubber, Conveyors & Footwear
Evaluating sliding resistance and skid resistance of rubber conveyor belting, shoe sole elastomer compounds, and tires.
Plastic Masterbatch & Resin R&D
Optimizing the concentration and migration kinetics of fatty acid amide slip additives and silica anti-block agents in polymer resins.