Anton Paar Lovis 2000 M/ME Manual

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Lovis 2000 M/ME Low Volume – SOP
Standard Operating Procedure for Low Sample Volume
1 About the SOP
Read all safety instructions in the Lovis 2000 M/ME Instruction Manual (Original Instruction)!
Find additional and more detailed information in the Lovis 2000 M/ME Instruction and Reference Manual
and in the Instrument Firmware Manual.
2 Conditioning the Short Capillaries and Plugs
Condition every capillary before using it for the first time. Clean every new hollow plug to remove
particles that would interfere with the measurement.
TIP: Select a suitable cleaning liquid. It must completely dissolve your sample, evaporate easily and
without residues. It must not react chemically with the capillary, the plugs or any of the wetted
parts. Consult the Lovis 2000 M/ME Instruction Manual for more information.
5. Blow the capillary dry with the built-in air pump:
• Plug a clean hollow needle 1.2 (gauge 18) onto the Adapter Luer cone (13) of the air hose.
2 .... Capillary
6 .... Hollow needle
13.... Adapter Luer cone of air hose
• Insert the hollow needle into the
capillary as far as possible.
• Start the air pump with the button
on the touch screen.
• The drying time depends on the cleaning liquid, on the temperature and on the ambient air
humidity. Determine the suitable drying time empirically. 
Stop the pump with the button .
This is a step-by-step guide how to... • fill a short capillary with a not too highly viscous liquid
(max. 200 mPa.s) and a steel ball
• perform a single-point measurement (at one angle and
one temperature) and
• clean the short capillary.
1. Fill some cleaning liquid into the short capillary (2)
with a syringe (5) with a hollow needle (6).
2. Push a supplied brush (12) as far as possible into
the short capillary and rotate it. Move it up and
down repeatedly.
3. Rinse the capillary with some more cleaning liquid
as described above.
4. Rinse the brush and wipe it with a lint-free cloth or
tissue paper.
2 .... Capillary
5 .... Syringe
6 .... Hollow needle
12 .... Brush
6
5
2
12
6
13
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Lovis 2000 M/ME Low Volume – SOP
Standard Operating Procedure for Low Sample Volume
Hollow plug
1. Put the hollow plug into some cleaning liquid.
2. Fill a clean syringe (5) with a hollow needle (6) with cleaning liquid. Insert the
hollow needle into the plug (7) and rinse the inside of the hollow plug.
Suitable diameters: Hollow plug 1.59 or 1.8 >> Hollow needle 0.7 (gauge 22)
Hollow plug 2.5 >> Hollow needle 1.2 (gauge 18)
3. Take the hollow plug and wipe it with tissue paper.
4. Blow the inside dry using a hollow needle and the built-in air pump. 
See how to dry the short capillary, point 5.).
3 Installing (Adjusted) Lovis Measuring Systems 
(Manager and Administrator only)
1. Tap "Menu > Setup > Measuring System Settings > Lovis Module > Capillary Administration".
2. Tap <Add>. There are two possibilities:
•Select"Import Capillary Configuration" to import factory adjustment data from the
USB flash drive. You can also import user-created data of an existing capillary/ball
combination, exported from another Lovis beforehand. Tap <OK>.
- The available "Drive" is displayed. Select a capillary/ball combination or a list of
combinations in the field "Target". Tap <Next>.
- If there is a list, select one of the combinations.
- You can assign a new name to the combination.
•Select"Create New Capillary" if no capillary/ball combination data is available. Tap <OK>.
- Choose ball type, capillary diameter with extension "short" and enter the serial number.
Name the capillary/ball combination. Activate the checkbox to use this combination
unadjusted to measure only runtimes or adjust the combination (see chapter 6, p. 5).
4 Filling the Short Capillaries
1. Select a suitable capillary for the liquid’s viscosity:
2. Take a clean microliter glass syringe and a clean hollow needle with Luer fitting. Fix the hollow
needle to the syringe tip.
TIP: Clean the microliter glass syringe with a suitable cleaning liquid for your sample before using it for
the first time. If the glass syringe is not dry after cleaning it, remove traces of the cleaning liquid
by drawing in approx. 10 µL of sample and ejecting it into a waste vessel.
Capillary measuring core rangesa(dynamic viscosity) / from... to...
a. Allows to measure the viscosity at all angles from 15° to 80°.
1.59 1 mPa.s 20 mPa.s
1.8 13 mPa.s 300 mPa.s
2.5 70 mPa.s 1700 mPa.s
5
6
7

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Lovis 2000 M/ME Low Volume – SOP
Standard Operating Procedure for Low Sample Volume
4. Slowly draw in the sample through the hollow needle.
5. Hold the open end of the capillary upwards.
6. Insert the hollow needle into the capillary until it touches the closed
end.
7. Slowly fill the sample by pushing the plunger downwards.
8. While the liquid rises, draw the hollow needle upwards. Make sure it
remains below the liquid level and below any air bubbles.
9. Fill sample until the liquid reaches the tip of the capillary.
10. Check the entire filling. The capillary must be filled without any
bubbles or particles.
• If detecting a bubble (see arrow), wait till it rises to the top or
remove it with the hollow needle.

3. Fix the Filling Adapter Luer Female (1) on the
top end of the capillary (2).
1 .... Filling Adapter Luer Female
2 .... Capillary
21
360°

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Lovis 2000 M/ME Low Volume – SOP
Standard Operating Procedure for Low Sample Volume
11. Place the funnel (3) on top of the capillary and drop a clean ball (4) into the
funnel with the plastic tweezers.
3 .... Funnel
4....Ball
TIP: If using a factory adjustment ball, tip it directly from its container into the funnel.
If the sample has got a high surface tension the ball may rest on the liquid surface.
• Knock the funnel with your finger to make the ball drop into the sample.
• Slowly remove the funnel in case the ball sticks to it.
• If small air bubbles are attached to the ball remove them with the hollow needle.
12. Check the filling again. The capillary must be filled without any bubbles or particles.
13. Select a suitable clean hollow plug (7) for the capillary (2) and close it. 
Press the hollow plug firmly into the capillary. Make sure not to insert air
bubbles with the plug.
Turn the hollow plug to insert it deeper into the capillary. If necessary, remove a
little sample with the hollow needle to insert the plug properly.
The sample liquid should rise into the hollow plug, but a small air reservoir
inside the plug is necessary for pressure equilibrium.
14. Wipe the capillary and plug on the outside to remove surplus sample. Clean the funnel.
15. Now the capillary (2) is filled. 
It must be free of bubbles.
2 .... Capillary
4....Ball
7 .... Hollow plug
16. Screw the Screw Cap Back Side Closed (8) into
the back of the capillary block.
8 .... Screw Cap Back Side Closed
3
4
7
2
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Lovis 2000 M/ME Low Volume – SOP
Standard Operating Procedure for Low Sample Volume
5 Performing a Level Adjustment
TIP: PerformaLevelAdjustmentwheninstallingaLovis,beforeadjusting a capillary and wheneverthe
instrument has been moved (even if only a little bit). If you want to measure at one specific angle,
choose this angle also for the Level Adjustment.
1. Select a capillary from the Lovis measuring systems list. The capillary need NOT be adjusted!
2. Perform a Level Adjustment:
• Tap "Menu > Checks/Adjustments > Other Adjustments > Lovis Module > Level Adjustment".
• Fill the capillary with liquid (see chapter 4, p. 2).
• Follow the instructions on the screen. An arrow prompts you to tap a key.
- <Improve> or <Apply> the result. You can improve the Level Adjustment more than once.
- If after improving several times Lovis does not allow you to <Apply>, check the filling of the
capillary for bubbles and check that the Lovis stands in a stable position. 
Refill the capillary and tap <Improve>.
- Lovis suggests <Apply> if the Level Adjustment correction is < ±0.5°.
• The Level Adjustment is valid and stored after tapping <Apply>.
6 Adjusting Lovis Measuring Systems (Manager and Administrator only)
TIP: Ifyouhaveordered a factory adjustment,import theadjustmentfromtheUSBflash drivedelivered
with the capillaries. See chapter 3, p. 2
1. Perform a Level Adjustment. See "Performing a Level Adjustment", p. 5.
2. Tap "Menu > Checks/Adjustments > Other Adjustments > Lovis Module". Select "Standard
Adjustment" (range: 20° to 70° angle) or "Single Point Adjustment" (at one user-defined angle).
17. Insert the filled capillary into the capillary block
from the front. The twist protection (9) should
point upwards. Fit it into the corresponding
recess by slightly rotating the capillary.
9 .... Twist protection
18. Mount the Screw Cap Front Side Closed (10,
with metal ring 11) on the capillary block.
8 .... Screw Cap Back Side Closed
9 .... Screw Cap Front Side Closed
10 .... Metal ring of 
Screw Cap Front Side Closed
The Lovis is now ready for measurement.
9
10
11
8
NO
HOLE !

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Lovis 2000 M/ME Low Volume – SOP
Standard Operating Procedure for Low Sample Volume
3. Follow the instructions on the display. Select the capillary (from the list of stored measuring
systems, see chapter 3, p. 2). Enter the ball batch no. and the ball density (see label of ball
vessel) and the adjustment temperature.
4. Enter a reference medium (viscosity standard liquid) and its dynamic viscosity and density at the
adjustment temperature. By default Lovis uses the values for reference medium "water". Fill the
capillary with your standard liquid (see chapter 4, p. 2) and start the adjustment.
When finished, Lovis displays the ball runtimes at the adjusted angle(s) and the maximal
variation coefficient that occurred during the adjustment.
5. Tap <Verify> to make sure the adjustment was correct.
6. Confirm the allowed deviation between adjustment and verification (default 0.5 %).
7. Fill the capillary once again with your standard liquid. Do NOT change the ball. Follow the
instructions on the display.
When the verification is finished the runtime deviations for each adjusted angle are displayed.
TIP: After a verification the runtime deviations to the values of the preceding original adjustment
are displayed. Typically, these values are higher than the variation coefficient of the original
adjustment.
• If the maximal deviation exceeds the allowed deviation, Lovis prompts you to tap <Redo>.
• Fill the capillary again and repeat the verification.
• If still exceeding the allowed deviation after the second <Redo>, clean and brush the
capillary (see chapter 9, p. 8), refill it and start a new adjustment.
8. To print or export an adjustment report, tap <Print>. 
To save and apply the adjustment, tap <Apply>.
Recommended standard liquids:
Capillary Temp. range Standard liquid
1.59 mm 20 °C to 40 °C water bi-distilled
1.59 mm 20 °C to 80 °C S3 oil
1.59 mm 40 °C to 100 °C N7.5 oil
1.8 mm 20 °C to 100 °C N26 oil
2.5 mm 20 °C to 60 °C N100 oil
2.5 mm 40 °C to 100 °C N415 oil

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Lovis 2000 M/ME Low Volume – SOP
Standard Operating Procedure for Low Sample Volume
7 Creating and Editing Measuring Methods (Manager and Administrator only)
1. Tap "Menu > Methods > Method Management". Select a method from the list. Tap <Copy>. 
Enter a new name for this method. Edit the new method as described below.
2. Tap "Menu > Methods > Method Settings". Select a method from the list.
3. Select "Lovis Module". Set the following parameters:
8 Measure
1. Fill your capillary with sample (see chapter 4, p. 2).
2. Tap <Method> and select a measuring method from the list (no "Lovis Polymer" method).
3. Tap <Quick Settings>.
• Enter a "Sample Name".
• Select measurement mode "S (Standard)" – single-point test at one temperature, one angle.
• If not using a density meter, enter the sample density: "Lovis Density for Start Temperature".
4. Tap <Start>. Select your capillary (capillary/ball combination) from the list (see chapter 3, p. 2).
In case only one capillary is stored, Lovis automatically uses this one.
5. Lovis starts measuring. A measurement is successfully completed if the progress bar turns green
and the message above reads "Finished". The "Lovis Condition" is "valid".
Menu Item Lovis Module Parameters Default Value
Temperature
Settings "Temperature"
Measuring Temperature 20 °C
"Temperature Equilibration"
This is the time Lovis waits for the sample to
reach the measuring temperature after
starting measurement and after the capillary
block has reached it.
0 s
Measuring Settings "Measurement Cycles"
1 meas. cycle = 1 forward + 1 backward run
No. of cycles for calculating the variation coeff.
2
"Use Manual Angle" check box
Use a user-defined angle or let Lovis
automatically choose the measuring angle
according to the Advanced Settings.
Deactivated
"Use Variation Coefficient" check box
If using the variation coefficient, Lovis
compares the set value to the runtime
variation coefficient calculated from the set no.
of measurement cycles. If the calculated var.
coeff. exceeds the set value, Lovis discards
the first cycle and performs another cycle. The
max. no. of cycles within which the set value
should be achieved is set in the Advanced
Settings .
Activated; 
Var. Coeff.: 0.10 %
"Measuring distance"
Option "Automatic" causes Lovis to switch to
"Short" if the runtime exceeds the Auto-
distance threshold in the Advanced Settings.
Automatic

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Lovis 2000 M/ME Low Volume – SOP
Standard Operating Procedure for Low Sample Volume
9 Cleaning
TIP: Select a suitable cleaning liquid. It must completely dissolve the sample, evaporate easily and
without residues. It must not react chemically with the capillary or any of the wetted parts.

If necessary, repeat all steps with a second cleaning liquid. 
Consult the Lovis 2000 M/ME Instruction Manual for more information.
1. Unscrew the Screw Cap Front Side Closed from the Lovis capillary block.
2. Pull out the capillary by the Filling Adapter Luer Female.
3. Hold the capillary with the tip upwards and remove the hollow plug from the tip.
4. Turn the capillary around and hold it over a waste vessel.
TIP: Toreuse theball,carefully empty the sample residuesplusballinto acleanvesselfirst. Depending
on the sample’s properties the ball may not roll out. Remove it later when rinsing the capillary.

To clean the ball see "Cleaning the ball", p. 9.
5. Fill a clean syringe with a hollow needle with cleaning liquid. Insert the hollow needle into the
capillary as far as possible. Fill the capillary with cleaning liquid. It should not overflow.
6. If necessary wait a bit for the cleaning liquid to mix with the sample.
7. Move the plunger up and down rapidly to improve the cleaning effect. Draw the cleaning liquid
back into the syringe. Empty the syringe into a waste vessel.
8. Repeat the two above steps two to three times until no traces of sample are left in the capillary. If
the ball is still inside, let it roll out and rinse the capillary without the ball once.
9. If necessary, repeat the cleaning procedure with a second cleaning liquid.
10. Wipe the capillary on the outside with some cleaning liquid and tissue paper.
11. Put the hollow plug into some cleaning liquid.
12. Fill a clean syringe (5) with a hollow needle (6) with cleaning liquid. Insert the
hollow needle into the plug (7) and rinse the inside of the hollow plug.
Suitable diameters: Hollow plug 1.59 or 1.8 >> Hollow needle 0.7 (gauge 22)
Hollow plug 2.5 >> Hollow needle 1.2 (gauge 18)
13. Take the hollow plug and wipe it with tissue paper.
14. Blow the inside dry using a hollow needle and the built-in air pump. 
See below (how to dry the short capillary).
15. Blow the capillary (2) dry with the built-in air pump:
• Plug a clean hollow needle 1.2 (gauge 22) onto the Adapter Luer cone (13) of the air hose.
2 .... Capillary
6 .... Hollow needle
13.... Adapter Luer cone of air hose
• Insert the hollow needle into the
capillary as far as possible.
• Start the air pump with the button
on the touch screen.
• The drying time depends on the cleaning liquid, on the temperature and on the ambient air
humidity. Determine the suitable drying time empirically. 
Stop the pump with the button .
5
6
7
6
13
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Lovis 2000 M/ME Low Volume – SOP
Standard Operating Procedure for Low Sample Volume
TIP: If this cleaning method does not yield satisfactory results, brush the short capillary with the
supplied brush.
Cleaning the ball
TIP: Do not handle balls with bare fingers! Finger printsinfluence the measurement results. If using the
plastic tweezers also clean them to avoid contaminating a clean ball with sample residues.
1. Put the ball into some cleaning liquid.
2. Put the ball onto a piece of tissue paper using the plastic tweezers.
3. Fold a bit of tissue paper over the ball. Wet it with some cleaning
liquid. Rub the ball with the tissue paper and one finger. Wear
protective gloves if required.
4. Rinse the ball with some more cleaning liquid and let it dry on
tissue paper.
Cleaning the microliter glass syringe and hollow needles
Always clean the syringe and needles to avoid contaminating one sample with another one.
TIP: Handle the microliter syringe with care to avoid damaging this precision tool. Pull the plunger only
as far out as the µL-scale. Do not use strongalkaline cleaning liquids that will corrode the glass.
1. Empty the syringe into a waste vessel.
2. Draw in some cleaning liquid through the hollow needle and move the plunger up and down
repeatedly. If necessary wait a bit for the cleaning liquid to mix with the sample. Empty the
syringe into a waste vessel.
3. Repeat the above step two to three times until no traces of sample are left. Wipe the hollow
needle with tissue paper.
4. If necessary, repeat the procedure with a second cleaning liquid.
5. Remove the hollow needle.
6. Pull the plunger up a bit and let the syringe air-dry.
7. Dry the hollow needle with tissue paper. Blow it dry with the built-in air pump (see above, how to
dry the short capillary, point 15., p. 8).
Brushing short capillaries
1. Fill some cleaning liquid into the capillary (2) with a
syringe (5) with a hollow needle (6).
2. Push a supplied brush (12) as far as possible into the
capillary and rotate it. Move it up and down repeatedly.
3. Pull the brush out again and rinse it with cleaning
liquid. Rinse the capillary as described above.
4. If necessary, repeat the procedure.
5. Dry the short capillary with the built in air-pump.
6. Rinse the brush and wipe it with tissue paper.
TIP: For hard-to-remove samples, soak all items in some
cleaning liquid first.
6
5
2
12