MACHINERY | MATERIALS TESTING
The MetaStation 4E can optionally be placed on a standard laboratory table or mobile support frame
Science Hub at Engine Shed, which is an innovation space run by the University. The two partners expect their collaboration to both enhance the future workforce and expand the company’s capabilities.
Lab-scale rheometry Brabender has developed a compact torque rheometer on a laboratory scale. The new drive unit for rheological measure- ments can be used very flexibly and provides information on the plasticising behaviour of different materials, including polymers. The MetaStation 4E is part of a new generation
fatigue-testing instruments that both use a patent- ed, frictionless motor to provide the durability needed for high-cycle testing. Fatigue testing of material specimens or final assemblies uses repetitive stress and strain to determine point of failure. The ElectroForce 3300 Series III offers controlled stress and strain up to 100Hz loading frequency and can be configured with either 1000N or 3000N force capacity. The MSF16 Multi-Specimen Fatigue Instrument can measure 16 samples at a time, which helps to accelerate time-consuming testing. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is useful for analysing the structure and properties of polymers. A new instrument from Oxford Instruments’ Asylum Research, the Jupiter XR AFM, is a large-sample AFM with 200mm sample access and simple software control for R&D duties. The company has also launched the new Ergo software platform for its AFMs. This uses a simplified user interface that is said to make analysis more acces- sible and uses algorithms to automatically calculate optimal image settings.
Artificial intelligence The ability to use advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to solve problems is advancing rapidly and the polymer analysis equipment of the near future is likely to take advantage of these tools. Uses of predictive analytics could range from predicting analysis equipment health to using large data sets to build models to model behavior of polymer compounds. Last year, Malvern Panalytical and the University of Bristol announced a partnership that will focus on areas such as data analytics, machine learning, and AI. Malvern Panalytical also opened its Data
28 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | January/February 2020
of flexible and versatile drive units. It was specially designed for laboratory use and allows fast meas- urement of rheological properties. In conjunction with an extruder or mixer measuring attachment, it determines processing and plasticising behaviour. Using MetaStation 4E for trials has economic advantages over machines that are typically used in ongoing production. Compared to large-volume machines, only a fraction of the raw material quantity is consumed, says Brabender. The unit is used in research and development as well as in industry. Many applications exist in fields such as materials testing, incoming and outgoing goods inspection and quality assurance. The modular design of the torque rheometer
makes it possible to adapt the test setup to the needs of the application. A wide range of extruders and mixer attachments are compatible with the unit. An optional docking station also allows the combination with larger mixers and extruders, which expands the range of applications. Compared to older models, the latest product is both smaller and lighter. This means it can be set up directly on the laboratory table. The device is also compatible with MetaBridge software, which offers user-friendly control of several devices and fast transmission, evaluation and export of meas- urement data.
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
www.dynisco.com �
www.agilent.com �
www.spectro.com �
www.thermofisher.com �
www.actusanalytical.com �
www.antonpaar.com �
www.labscubed.com �
www.tainstruments.com �
www.oxinst.com �
www.malvernpanalytical.com �
www.brabender.com
www.filmandsheet.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50
