|
Short description:
The program AKTS-SML Diffusion Software is a joint development
of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (OFSP) and the
company Advanced Kinetics and Technology Solutions AG (AKTS AG).
The verification of compliance of food packaging by the
application of recognised diffusion model was introduced
recently in the European legislation [1].
SML Software is a simulation program. It can be used to predict
the amount of a substance (additive, contaminant or residual
monomer) that migrates from a polymer packaging material into
the contained food during a given time. This program is designed
as a scientific tool for people active in food packaging: the
material producer could check the compliance of a material with
the SML values (comparison of Qm with SML), the laboratory
specialist could use the calculated concentrations to design the
experimental conditions of a migration test. It also includes a
non-exhaustive list of starting substances (monomers and
additives) used in the fabrication of polymer materials coming
into contact with the food.
SML software focuses on the simulation of release of additives
from multilayer packaging both in extended temperature ranges
and under temperature conditions at which ordinary investigation
would be very difficult. These difficulties are prevalent when
temperature fluctuates during the observation time. Complex
surrounding temperature profiles can be considered such as
stepwise, modulated, shock and additionally for temperature
profiles reflecting real atmospheric temperature changes (yearly
temperature profiles of different climates with daily minimal
and maximal fluctuations). Employing Finite Element Analysis (FEA),
the modeling is extended to predict the amount of a substance (decomposition
products, additive, contaminant or residual monomer) that
migrates from a plastic packaging material into the wrapped food.
The technique allows the simulation of complex packaging (different
geometries and up to 10 multilayer films). Calculation of the
diffusive process is based on Fick's law. It considers the
Arrhenius equation and the last version of the Piringer model
with refined Ap constant for the approximation of the diffusion
coefficients [2,3]. Diffusion and concentration distribution
inside all package layers can be computed for both, migrant
leaving and food components entering packaging. The boundary
conditions are derived from comparison of fluxes at the
interface between the different layers and between the layer and
the food. The mathematical approach used is unconditionally
stable with the accuracy of a differencing scheme that is
second-order in both space and time. Grid points are added in
regions of high gradients to generate a denser mesh in that
region, and subtracted from regions where the solution is
decaying or flattening out. The generation of adaptive meshes
allows to achieve a desired resolution in localized regions and
decreases by orders of magnitudes the calculation time.
[1] Commission directive 2002/72/EC, OJEC L220 of 15.08.2002
[2] Piringer, O., Food Additives and Contaminants, 11 (1994)
221.
[3] Materials and articles in contact with foodstuffs -
Plastics: Estimation of migration by generally recognized
diffusion models in support of EU Directive 90/128/EEC
(Migration modelling), CEN/TC194/SC1/WG4 N106, version 1, August
2001.
Simply complete four easy steps and you can begin using our
remarkable Finite Element Analysis software immediately for determining the
migration and release of additives from multilayer packaging.
Step 1: Download and Launch the SML Setup Wizard
Click on the "Install SML Now!" graphic to begin downloading the
SML Setup Wizard. You browser will ask if you prefer to open or save the linked file.
Choose "Save As" and save the file to your desktop or to the directory of your
choice. When the download completes,
double-click the icon on your desktop SMLSetup.zip, and simply extract the contained files using Winzip.
| SML
Advanced : |
 |
| SML
Standard : |
|
Step 2: Register
Start SML software. Then register: on the menu 'Registration' point to 'Register':
Fill in the corresponding fields and click on 'Next':
Note:
1) Differences between the SML 'Standard' version and SML
'Advanced' version can be viewed by downloading the Demo Version
here.
2) Add-on
for SML Software (for advanced version only):
- Real atmospheric temperature profiles (7400 climates)
- Ability to introduce customized additional features (on demand)
Privacy Policy
AKTS AG does not sell, trade or otherwise reveal
contact information, such as addresses, phone numbers, affiliations, or payment
information, obtained from customers to third parties. We hold any information
provided to us by clients with the utmost care and security, and will not use
it in ways to which clients have not explicitly consented.
The SML Software which you install on your computer to simulate the
release of additives from multilayer packaging generates reports pertaining
to when designing the experimental conditions of a migration test. When saving a project,
the information collected is encrypted and compressed into small files
using a proprietary format. These measures ensure that information cannot be
decoded by unauthorised users.
To start the program you need to have a running internet connection at that
moment. AKTS AG operates secure access authorization protected by industry standard
firewall and password protection systems. Our security and privacy policies are
periodically reviewed and enhanced as necessary and only authorized individuals
have access to the software. Strict controls are maintained at each login
session to insure data is handled correctly and responsibly by authorized users only.
You do not need a permanent internet connection to use SML
Software. The internet connection is required for the login only to check
the authorizazion access and generate a session key for using the software. Once
done the internet connection is no more required.
|
Benefits
