Dynisco LMI 4000 Series User manual

Dynisco Polymer Test Systems
LMI 4000
Series
Melt
Indexer
Manual
Version 4.1
38 Forge Parkway
Franklin, MA 02038
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
Manual Part Number: M0704 www.dynisco.com
Original Language Version

Notice
This manual contains descriptions, drawings and specifications for a Dynisco Polymer Test
Systems Product. Equipment or products made prior to or subsequent to the publication
date of this manual may have parts, features, options or configurations that are not covered
in this manual. Specifications contained herein are subject to change by Dynisco Polymer
Test Systems without prior notice. Dynisco Polymer Test Systems is not responsible for
errors or omissions that may be contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages
in connection with the furnishing or use of this information. The information contained in
this manual is the property of Dynisco Polymer Test Systems, unless otherwise stated.
Comments or suggestions for possible improvement to the manual are appreciated and may
be sent to the following location:
38 Forge Parkway
Franklin, MA 02038
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
www.dynisco.com

Contents
Introduction 1
About DYNISCO POLYMER TEST SYSTEMS Inc. ...................................................................................1
How to Use this Manual..................................................................................................................................1
Typographic Conventions...............................................................................................................................2
How to Contact Dynisco Polymer Test Systems Inc.......................................................................................2
Model Descriptions.........................................................................................................................................2
On Overview of MI.........................................................................................................................................3
ASTM Melt Index Tests..................................................................................................................................3
Method A..........................................................................................................................................3
Method A/B ......................................................................................................................................3
Method B ..........................................................................................................................................3
Series 4000 Product Offerings:.......................................................................................................................3
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................3
Model 4001.......................................................................................................................................4
Model 4002.......................................................................................................................................4
Model 4003.......................................................................................................................................4
Model 4004.......................................................................................................................................4
Method B Encoder Option................................................................................................................4
Pneumatic Lift...................................................................................................................................5
Mini-Lift ...........................................................................................................................................5
Intrinsic Viscosity Option.................................................................................................................5
Getting Started 6
Unpacking the Indexer....................................................................................................................................6
Bench Requirements and Placement.................................................................................................6
Level the Melt Indexer......................................................................................................................6
Pneumatic lift setup...........................................................................................................................7
Installing the Digital Encoder...........................................................................................................7
RTD Connection...............................................................................................................................9
Power Cord.......................................................................................................................................9
Printer Connection ............................................................................................................................9
Computer Connection.......................................................................................................................9
Options:.............................................................................................................................................9
Safety 10
Use gloves, it's HOT!....................................................................................................................................10
Electrical Hazard...........................................................................................................................................10
Calibration Thermometers use Mercury........................................................................................................10
Pinch Points...................................................................................................................................................11
Fumes from Materials ...................................................................................................................................11
Pre-Run Check List.......................................................................................................................................11
Series 4000 Melt Indexer Operation Manual Contents  i

Series 4000: A Guided Tour 12
Four Options from the main menu screen.....................................................................................................12
Overview.........................................................................................................................................12
Setup ...............................................................................................................................................12
Edit..................................................................................................................................................12
Run..................................................................................................................................................12
System.............................................................................................................................................12
Navigating the Keypad..................................................................................................................................13
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................13
The Keypad.....................................................................................................................................13
Keypad Definitions.........................................................................................................................14
Configuring the Instrument 15
Intro: The SYS (SYSTEM) Mode.................................................................................................................15
Selecting CALIB (Calibration) in the SYS Mode.........................................................................................16
CALIB:Digital Flag Home..............................................................................................................16
CALIB:RTD Electronics.................................................................................................................16
CALIB:RTD Sensor........................................................................................................................16
CALIB:Optical Flag........................................................................................................................16
CALIB:Intrinsic Viscosity Offset...................................................................................................16
Selecting TEST in the SYS Mode.................................................................................................................17
TEST:RTD Display ........................................................................................................................17
TEST:Digital Encoder ....................................................................................................................17
TEST:Printer...................................................................................................................................17
TEST:Display Brightness ...............................................................................................................17
The SETUP mode .........................................................................................................................................17
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................17
REJECTION...................................................................................................................................17
AVERAGE .....................................................................................................................................17
MFR / MVR....................................................................................................................................17
B FLAG ..........................................................................................................................................17
VISCOSITY....................................................................................................................................17
PRINTER........................................................................................................................................17
FORM FEED..................................................................................................................................17
COMM PORT.................................................................................................................................18
MINI LIFT......................................................................................................................................18
PNEU LIFT.....................................................................................................................................18
LOCKOUT .....................................................................................................................................18
DATE and TIME ............................................................................................................................ 18
MACHINE ID.................................................................................................................................18
LANGUAGE ..................................................................................................................................18
ORIFICE DIA.................................................................................................................................18
ORIFICE LEN................................................................................................................................18
Programming.................................................................................................................................................18
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................18
Create (New)...................................................................................................................................18
Recall (Old).....................................................................................................................................18
Save Program..................................................................................................................................18
While EDITING .............................................................................................................................18
Method A Run Parameters..............................................................................................................19
Method A/B Run Parameters..........................................................................................................19
Method B Run Parameters..............................................................................................................19
RATIO (Flow Ratio) Run parameters..............................................................................................20
Series 4000 Melt Indexer Operation Manual Contents
 ii

Run a Program...............................................................................................................................................20
Method "A" Run 21
General Description ........................................................................................................................21
Calculations: Method A..................................................................................................................21
Power-Up........................................................................................................................................21
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................21
Programming a Method A.............................................................................................................................21
Machine Setup ................................................................................................................................22
Loading the Sample.......................................................................................................................................23
Loading the Barrel ..........................................................................................................................23
Bubbles ...........................................................................................................................................23
RUN................................................................................................................................................23
Making the Cut ...............................................................................................................................24
Weigh the Sample...........................................................................................................................24
Cleaning Up....................................................................................................................................25
User Tips:......................................................................................................................................................25
User Tip #1 .....................................................................................................................................25
User Tip #2 .....................................................................................................................................25
Always leave the barrel clean. ........................................................................................................26
Cleaning Up a really Big Mess .......................................................................................................26
Method "A/B" Run 27
General Description ........................................................................................................................27
Calculations : Method A/B .............................................................................................................27
Programming Method A/B............................................................................................................................27
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................28
Machine Setup ................................................................................................................................28
The Actual Run .............................................................................................................................................29
How to do it: Step by Step..............................................................................................................29
Instrument Prep...............................................................................................................................29
Loading the Barrel ..........................................................................................................................29
Inserting the Timing Flag................................................................................................................30
Making the Cut ...............................................................................................................................31
Cleaning Up....................................................................................................................................31
Your data.........................................................................................................................................31
Method "B" Run 32
General Description ........................................................................................................................32
Calculations: Method B ..................................................................................................................32
Programming Method B................................................................................................................................33
Method B Flags Setup.....................................................................................................................33
Choosing a Timing Flag..................................................................................................................34
The Actual Run .............................................................................................................................................35
How to do it: Step by Step..............................................................................................................35
Instrument Prep...............................................................................................................................35
Loading the Barrel ..........................................................................................................................35
Timing Flag and Starting the Run...................................................................................................36
Cleaning Up....................................................................................................................................37
“Flow Ratio” Runs 39
Flow Rate Ratio test and the Pneumatic Lift Option.....................................................................................39
Series 4000 Melt Indexer Operation Manual Contents
 iii

What is it?.......................................................................................................................................39
Why do it?.......................................................................................................................................39
Flow Rate Ratio - How to Do It......................................................................................................39
“Intrinsic Viscosity” Runs with PET 41
Calculating PET I.V. from the Melt Indexer.................................................................................................41
What is it?.......................................................................................................................................41
Why do it?.......................................................................................................................................42
How to do it ....................................................................................................................................42
Charge Weight 44
The Amount of Sample.................................................................................................................................44
A-Standard Operating Procedure 46
Introduction:....................................................................................................................................46
Instrument Preparation....................................................................................................................46
Conducting the Test........................................................................................................................47
Clean Up .........................................................................................................................................47
Your data.........................................................................................................................................47
Out of Control Action List 48
Actions............................................................................................................................................48
Generic Run Check List..................................................................................................................48
Model 4004 and Computer Control 49
Introduction...................................................................................................................................................49
The Digital Encoder: Use and Calibration 50
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................50
Method B Encoder Option..............................................................................................................50
Encoder Advantages .......................................................................................................................50
Why use it? .....................................................................................................................................51
Digital Encoder Installation............................................................................................................51
Programming for use with the Digital Encoder.............................................................................................52
Method B: Setup .............................................................................................................................52
Enable the Digital Encoder.............................................................................................................52
Auto Flag ON/OFF.........................................................................................................................52
Flag Calculation MANUAL or AUTO? .........................................................................................53
AUTO flag selected ........................................................................................................................53
So you picked MANUAL...............................................................................................................53
Encoder Homing and Maintenance...............................................................................................................53
Digital Flag Home...........................................................................................................................53
Testing and Maintenance................................................................................................................53
Complete Digital Encoder Calibration............................................................................................54
Referenced Spec D1238-95 ............................................................................................................54
Pneumatic Lift Options 59
Pneumatic Lift...............................................................................................................................................59
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................59
Activation and Operation................................................................................................................59
Series 4000 Melt Indexer Operation Manual Contents
 iv

Mini-Lift........................................................................................................................................................59
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................59
Activation and Operation................................................................................................................59
Instrument Calibration 60
RTD Electronics............................................................................................................................................60
RTD Sensor...................................................................................................................................................60
Calibration Steps:............................................................................................................................60
SINGLE..........................................................................................................................................60
DOUBLE........................................................................................................................................61
Optical Flag...................................................................................................................................................61
Calibration Steps:............................................................................................................................61
Digital Encoder Calibration ..........................................................................................................................62
Calibration:Digital Flag Home........................................................................................................62
Intrinsic Viscosity .........................................................................................................................................62
Offset ..............................................................................................................................................62
Instrument Maintenance and Troubleshooting 63
Maintenance..................................................................................................................................................63
Daily................................................................................................................................................63
Weekly............................................................................................................................................63
Monthly or Long Term ...................................................................................................................63
Barrel Diameter...............................................................................................................................64
Support Vendors .............................................................................................................................64
Conversion Factors .........................................................................................................................65
Troubleshooting ............................................................................................................................................65
Flow Rates are Changing................................................................................................................65
Temperature is Unstable .................................................................................................................66
Mercury Separation in Thermometer..............................................................................................66
Reuniting Mercury Thermometers..................................................................................................66
Pneumatic Lift Troubleshooting .....................................................................................................67
Pneumatic Lift maintenance............................................................................................................67
Questions and Answers 69
Typical Problems............................................................................................................................69
Typical Questions ...........................................................................................................................70
Glossary of Terms 73
Digital Flag, Digital Encoder........................................................................73
Firmware.......................................................................................................73
Flow rate.......................................................................................................73
Flow Rate Ratio............................................................................................73
Intrinsic Viscosity.........................................................................................73
Melt Flow Indexer ........................................................................................73
Method A......................................................................................................73
Method A/B..................................................................................................73
Method B......................................................................................................73
MVI ..............................................................................................................73
Optical Flag or Optical Eye Sensor ..............................................................73
Pneumatic Lift ..............................................................................................73
RTD..............................................................................................................73
Timing Flag ..................................................................................................73
Series 4000 Melt Indexer Operation Manual Contents
 v

Setting-Up USB Communications 74
Set-Up with Daisy Software ........................................................................74
Set-Up with MI Works Software..................................................................77
Index 81
Series 4000 Melt Indexer Operation Manual Contents
 vi

Introduction
About Dynisco Polymer Test
Dynisco Polymer Test is a manufacturer of laboratory test equipment supplying
capillary rheometers, melt indexers, a variety of impact testers, coefficient of
friction testers, contact angle testers, film tensile testers and other small test
devices. Through its innovative work with electronics and mechanical design,
Dynisco Polymer Test Systems has carved a niche in the market place by
providing the highest performance per cost ratio in the business.
The company was founded in the late '60's in Honey Brook P.A., and is built on
two principles: quality workmanship and outstanding service. Dynisco Polymer
Test Systems' mission has grown to meeting the physical testing needs of the
plastics, food, and rubber industries by providing high quality equipment and
services at low cost. The company was purchased in 1988 by Dynisco, and is
now a wholly owned subsidiary of Dynisco Inc. Dynisco, an ISO 9002 qualified
supplier, is the world’s largest manufacturer of pressure transducers and is
located in Franklin, MA.
How to Use this Manual
This manual describes the setup procedure and basic operation of the Dynisco
Polymer Test Systems Series 4000 class indexers. With the accompanying
MIWORKS or Daisy software manual (if software was purchased) it provides
the complete description of resources at your command. It is not necessary to
read this manual in its entirety. However, even experienced rheologists and
technicians can benefit from the SAFETY tips and cleaning suggestions learned
over many years of operating these instruments in our applications laboratory.
The Getting Started Chapter explains the details of setting up the instrument and
preparing it for use. Please take a few minutes to review the safety precautions
that should be taken when operating Dynisco Polymer Test Systems Melt Index
equipment.
Series 4000 Melt Indexer Operation Manual Introduction
 1

Typographic Conventions
Italics: Rheological items that have defining equations presented in the manual
are shown in italics. If you come across an italicized item that is unclear you
can be sure it has a mathematical definition previously defined in the manual.
Bold Italics: These are parameters that are set from the front panel on the
indexer (i.e. Melt Time, Mtd A Time etc.). These parameters are entered into
the indexer's control programs via the indexer key pad.
BOLD ALL CAPITALS: This indicates an actual key found on the indexer
key pad. Example: Press the RESET button to return to main screen. Underlined
Items: Underlined items' head paragraphs or sections that pertain to the
particular item or model underlined. If you do not have or are not interested in
the underlined item skip the section that follows it. Underlining is also used
to emphasize safety issues.
How to Contact Dynisco Polymer
Test Inc.
Before calling Dynisco Polymer Test be sure you have gone through the
"Answers to common questions" section of the manual. To help us handle your
questions as quickly as possible, have the following items ready before you call:
 Machine name and model number
 Machine serial number (on back panel)
 Current version of firmware (Power up unit to see)
 Computer system make and model
 Current version of software (if applicable)
Call Dynisco Polymer Test directly at [phone] and ask for technical
support. Should you wish to comment or query in writing, address to:
Dynisco Polymer Test Inc. : Customer Service
38 Forge Parkway
Franklin, MA 02038
You can also reach us through the internet at: www.Dynisco.com.
Model Descriptions
The DYNISCO POLYMER TEST SYSTEMS Series 4000 Melt Flow Indexer
incorporates the latest in micro-electronic technology. It is designed to make
melt flow rate testing faster, more accurate and flexible, and generate more
rheological information. The heart of the system is a 32 bit microprocessor
developed by DYNISCO POLYMER TEST SYSTEMS. It controls
temperature, responds to keyboard commands and implements testing programs.
System capabilities:
 Communications with computers
 Direct output to printer
 Stores test conditions in program memory
 Shows instantaneous flow rate read-out
 Battery backed-up date & test conditions
Series 4000 Melt Indexer Operation Manual Introduction  2