Mooney viscometer.

The V15 compact, lightweight Mooney viscometer requires neither compressed air nor a separate PC to operate. The V15 measures and records the viscosity of natural, synthetic or compounded rubber. It is also used to determine the curing rate during the early stages of vulcanization and can be set to perform both scorch and stress relaxation tests. The "C" frame design is said to allow free access to platens for sample loading and cleaning. The sample is compressed by the upper platen, driven by a servo motor and ballscrew, which accurately controls die pressure during the test and completely eliminates the need for a compressed air supply, according to the company. The rotor is driven by an extremely accurate crystal controlled motor and a load cell measures the torque required to turn the rotor, according to the manufacturer. A labrynth sealing arrangement beneath the rotor is said to prevent surplus rubber contaminating the bearings. The need for an o-ring seal is therefore said to be eliminated, reducing friction on the rotor shaft and improving test accuracy, according to the company. The instrument's front panel consists of a 320 x 240 pixel graphics LCD display. (Wallace Instruments)

Circle 107 on card