At the beginning of 2019, emtec Electronic GmbH celebrated the 300th globally sold TSA – Softness Analyzer. As documented, today the device is used in 48 countries on all continents on earth, whereby the most units are used in Europe, followed by North America and Asia. 

 

Worldwide distribution of the emtec TSA – Softness Analyzer 

 

Many years ago, the hand feel of tissue paper has been tested by human hand panels. Since this quality parameter became more and more important, the subjective and not always reliable enough hand test needed to be replaced by an objective testing device, which can provide reliable and repeatable data. 

 

On demand, the company emtec Electronic started the development of the TSA in 2004. Over the years, the device could be improved permanently and new functions were added. The TSA is able to provide the necessary data fast, accurate, reliable and repeatable. But even more important is, that it can measure the three basic parameters which determine the human hand feel – the softness, roughness and stiffness. 

 

The first device has been sold to a tissue maker in 2007. Today, companies from all different parts of the tissue industry use the TSA. Among the users are research institutes and universities, tissue machine manufacturers, chemical suppliers, tissue makers and converters, but also retailers. 

 

This success in the tissue industry created interest in other industries as well. In 2012, first activities have been started in the nonwoven industry, followed by the textile industry in 2015. The TSA was adapted to the special needs of these two industries, and it has been proved, that the device could be used in the same good way for these kinds of materials. 

 

Finally, the device supports all three industries in their R&D, process and product optimization, quality assurance, complaint management, benchmarking tests and marketing.