Testing & Q-C.

NPE '94 featured several new color and appearance instruments for quality control and laboratory applications. A new advanced resin moisture analyzer and accelerated weathering devices were also on hand, as was a PC-controlled, tabletop capillary rheometer and a new line of universal testing machines.

COLOR MEASUREMENT

Portable spectrophotometers were introduced by Minolta Corp., Ramsey, N.J., and Hunter Associates Laboratory, Inc. (HunterLab), Reston, Va.

Minolta's CM-503i is the latest addition to its CM-500 series (see PT, April '94, p. 28). This portable unit features a 3-mm measuring area to analyze extremely small samples. It calculates data using a wide variety of color-matching formulas, color-difference formulas, and any of eleven illuminants. The CM-503i displays spectral reflectance, pass/fail readings, and color-difference graphs, as well as data calculated under two illuminants simultaneously. It sells for $8500.

Minolta also launched the CM-A76 transmittance adapter as an accessory to the CM-508d portable spectrophotometer, making the CM-508d the first portable unit on the market capable of performing both reflectance and transmittance readings (see PT, April '94, p. 29)

Hunterlab featured its Spectra-Probe on-line spectrophotometer, which allows for continuous color monitoring during production of extruded pellets and films, as well as opaque and translucent sheets. Color information is received in real time and taken every 5 nm from 375 nm to 750 nm. Spectro-Probe sensors use continuous illumination, providing 80 measurements/sec to better characterize the product.

A compact benchtop spectrophotometer was introduced by Macbeth, div. of Kollmorgen Instruments Corp., New Windsor, N.Y. Color-Eye 2445 is designed for applications requiring the precision of a laboratory-grade instrument but with the self-contained microprocessor and display of a portable unit. The instrument, which sells for $7995, features a pulsed xenon light source for accurate measurement readings. The 2445 can store hundreds of trials and standards and can automatically select the proper standard for comparison with a production sample.

ADVANCED MOISTURE ANALYZER

Zarad Technology, Inc., Inverness, Ill., unveiled an advanced polymer moisture detector that uses microwave technology instead of delicate weighing balances and/or toxic reagents. The new Micro-Moisture Analyzer is designed for use on the shop floor.

With the new unit, room air is dried and circulated through the resin sample (usually 80 g) where the air picks up moisture. The air then passes through a cellulose acetate absorber that collects the moisture from it. A microwave beam interacts with the water molecules and a detection device reads the information. The instrument is said to provide a true moisture-content measurement with readings that are precise to less than 0.005% with a standard deviation as low as [+ or -]0.002%. Molders can then determine the exact drying time and/or temperature required for that batch of resin. Each instrument is calibrated to specified resin samples, providing a benchmark against which all test results are measured. Testing takes approx. 15 min or less. Subsequent analyses can be initiated in less than 1 min.

FLUORESCENT WEATHERING TESTER

Atlas Electric Devices Co., Chicago, introduced the UVCON fluorescent uv-condensation weathering device that exposes materials to light, moisture, and temperature conditions to predict degradation. UVCON's temperature controller not only measures and displays black-panel temperature, but also controls the air and water heaters based on this temperature--said to increase accuracy and repeatability of test temperature and cycles. Integral to the unit is a precise cycle programmer that uses interchangeable cams.

LOW-COST UV TESTER

Heraeus DSET Laboratories, Inc., Phoenix, Ariz., introduced an affordable, tabletop accelerated lighting unit--the Suntest CPS+. This microprocessor-controlled unit utilizes an air-cooled xenon arc discharge and quartz shell lighting system (said to be unusual for a tabletop unit) that emits light very similar to the sun's. Air cooling of the xenon lamp eliminates corrosion problems associated with water cooling. The CPS+ can rapidly simulate about six weeks exposure and is priced at under $8000 vs. traditional accelerated-lighting units, which sell for around $60,000, according to the company.

TABLETOP RHEOMETER

At this year's show, Goettfert of Rock Hill, S.C., introduced the Rheo-Tester 1501, a PC-controlled, tabletop capillary rheometer. The unit features the company's new WinRHEO software (see PT, May '94, p. 153) that allows for multi-tasking. The Rheo-Tester performs the Bagley correction for shear stress and the Rabinowitsch correction for rate. Testing at up to 20 different shear rates or pressure settings with a single barrel filling can be performed fully automatically. A piston speed range of 0.005 to 15.0 mm/s is available with testing forces of up to 15 kN. Two electronic temperature controllers maintain uniform temperature up to 400 C.

MECHANICAL TESTING

MTS Systems Corp.'s Sintech Div., Research Triangle Park, N.C., introduced the new M Series material testing workstations. Included are two low-capacity, single-screw test units--100/M (load capacity of 1 kN or 225 lbf) and 400/M (load capacity of 2 kN or 450 lbf)--that can perform a wide range of tests, including tension, compression, bending, tearing, peeling, and shearing. They feature a digital signal processing (DSP) microcomputer for machine control and position measurement, and offer dual-control capability (manual or computer).

Also in the new M Series are four tabletop testing systems: the 1/M, 2/M, 4/M, and 4/M, and 4/ML load frames offering load ranges of 5 kN (1125 lbf) to 20 kN (4500 lbf). There are also two floor models: 10/M and 20/M with load capacities of 50kN (11,250 lbf) and 100 kN (22,500 lbf), respectively. These units also offer dual-control capability, as well as twin precision ballscrews for testing above and below the crosshead. The M series also feature a wide range of strain rates: 0.0-39.3 in./min on the tabletop machines and 0.0-20 in/min on the floor models.