Dynisco LMI5000 User manual

P/N: M0726(3) | Rev: 012020 | ECO: 51182
www.dynisco.com
From lab to production,
providing a window into the process
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Setting the Standard for Evaluating
Polymer Melt Flow Characteristics
Operating Manual
Dynisco LMI5000 Series
Melt Indexer

From lab to production,
providing a window into the process
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SUPPORT CONTACT INFORMATION
Dynisco Polymer Test can be contacted for questions and supportat:
By Phone and Fax:
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
To help us handle your questions as quickly as possible, have the following items ready before
you call:
1. Instrument name and model number (on back panel)
2. Instrument serial number (on back panel)
3. Current version of instrument firmware (Power up unit to see, version shown on “About”
screen under “Maintenance Tab”)
4. Computer system make and operating system and version (if applicable)
5. Current version of LaVA Suite software (ifapplicable)
By Internet:
For Technical and Service Support: http://www.dynisco.com/polytest-services
For all Other Inquiries: http://www.dynisco.com/
By Mail/Post:
Dynisco
38 Forge Parkway
Franklin, MA 02038
Copyright © Dynisco 2016 All Rights Reserved
P/N: M0726(3) | Rev: 012020 | ECO: 51182
www.dynisco.com

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DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY AND LIABILITY
The information provided herein is believed to be true and correct but no warranty is given as to
its completeness, accuracy or fitness for use for any particular purpose. Dynisco shall not be
liable for any loss or damage arising from the failure to achieve a particular result by the
application of any route, method or process that is recommended herein. Dynisco reserves the
right to change any information, route, method, or process which is discussed or provided
herein withoutnotice. Equipment or products made prior to or subsequent tothe publication date
of this manual may have parts, features, options or configurations that are not covered in this
manual.
Dynisco represents that to the best of its knowledge neither the products, equipment and
systems supplied by it nor their use for the purpose for which they were supplied nor the use of
the information or recommendation provided herein will infringe a valid patent right of any third
party, but no warranty, express or implied, is given in thisrespect.
Document History
P/N: M0726(3) | Rev: 012020 | ECO: 51182
www.dynisco.com

From lab to production,
providing a window into the process
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS..................................................................................................................... 6
Warnings, Danger and Informational Symbols......................................................................... 6
Safety summary............................................................................................................................. 7
Use Gloves--it's very HOT!.......................................................................................................... 7
Pinch Points................................................................................................................................... 9
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................... 11
SPECIFICATIONS................................................................................................................................ 12
INSTRUMENT MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................. 13
Equipment Setup................................................................................................................................... 14
Unpacking the Indexer................................................................................................................ 14
Bench Requirements and Placement....................................................................................... 14
Level the Melt Indexer................................................................................................................ 15
Instrument Overview............................................................................................................................. 16
Front View .................................................................................................................................... 16
Rear View..................................................................................................................................... 16
Spares/Consumable Items ........................................................................................................ 17
Instrument Operation/Log-In............................................................................................................... 18
Instrument Operation/Icons................................................................................................................. 19
Instrument Operation/Menus............................................................................................................... 20
Instrument Operation/Buttons............................................................................................................. 21
Instrument Operation/Miscellaneous Touch Areas.......................................................................... 24
Instrument Operation/Panel Overview............................................................................................... 24
Test Calculations .................................................................................................................................. 25
Calculations: Method A .............................................................................................................. 25
Calculations for the Method A test are..................................................................................... 25
Calculations: Method A/B........................................................................................................... 25
Calculations: Method B .............................................................................................................. 26
Calculating PET Intrinsic Viscosity (I.V.) from theMelt Indexer........................................... 27
The Amount of Sample............................................................................................................... 28
Create/Edit Test Conditions................................................................................................................ 29
System Configuration........................................................................................................................... 31
Selecting Multi-Select Data ................................................................................................................. 32
Entering Numeric Data......................................................................................................................... 33
Setting-Up a Test.................................................................................................................................. 34
Loading and Packing Material into the Barrel................................................................................... 35
Running a Test...................................................................................................................................... 36
Cleaning Up..................................................................................................................................................37
TROUBLESHOOTING......................................................................................................................... 38
Actions .......................................................................................................................................... 38
Generic Run Check List ............................................................................................................. 38
Prior to loading Sample.............................................................................................................. 38
Long term items:.......................................................................................................................... 39
Support Vendors.......................................................................................................................... 39
P/N: M0726(3) | Rev: 012020 | ECO: 51182
www.dynisco.com

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APPENDIX A—DIGITAL ENCODER OPTION................................................................................ 40
APPENDIX B—PNEUMATIC LIFT .................................................................................................... 43
APPENDIX C—PNEUMATIC PACKER............................................................................................ 49
APPENDIX D—AUTO CUTTER……………………………………………………………………..51
P/N: M0726(3) | Rev: 012020 | ECO: 51182
www.dynisco.com

From lab to production,
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SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
All safety instructions must be understood and observed. Non-observance of safety
instructions may cause damage to life and health of persons, environmental damage and/or
extensive damage to property.
Observing the safety instructions included in the operating instructions will help to avoid
dangers, to operate the product profitably and to secure the full use of theproduct.
Warnings, Danger and Informational Symbols
General safety instructions concerning the activities are given at the beginning of the relevant
chapter. Special safety instructions concerning the individual steps of action will be given
together with the corresponding step of action.
The following pictographs are used in the present operatinginstructions
P/N: M0726(3) | Rev: 012020 | ECO: 51182
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Please also note that a safety symbol may never substitute the text of a safety instruction -
therefore, the text of a safety instruction must always be readcompletely!
Safety summary
The following are recommended safety precautions unrelated to any specific procedures in this
manual and therefore do not appear elsewhere. Personnel must understand and apply them as
appropriate during all phases of operation andmaintenance. IN ALL CASES, BE PRUDENT.
P/N: M0726(3) | Rev: 012020 | ECO: 51182
www.dynisco.com

From lab to production,
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Use gloves--it's very HOT!
To prevent burns, gloves and a long sleeve shirt (or lab coat) are essential. Dies and pistonrods
are extremely hot and are designed to quickly transfer heat to the sample being tested.
Unfortunately this means they will transfer heat very quickly to you as well. Even brief contact
with a hot item can cause a burn. The indexer barrel housing can also get fairly hot. However, at
any barrel temperature, these should not cause burns if touched for a very brief period except
very near the barrel top and bottom. Consider where dies may fall. If they are dropped on Nylon
carpeting or similar materials they can quickly form holes. Protective mats may beneeded.
DYNISCO POLYMER TEST recommends keeping hot piston rod and hot die in the
chamber/barrel; this precludes someone picking itup inadvertently. Be sure to hold
the piston
by the top insulator.
Electrical Hazard
Your Dynisco Lab Melt Flow Indexer contains high voltage inside the housing. DO NOT remove
the housing or any part of its outer covers; there are no user serviceable parts inside. Service
should only be done by a qualified DYNISCO Service Technician. Be sure the outlet used to
power the indexer is properlygrounded.
Calibration Thermometers may useMercury
To calibrate the temperature on the indexer, a thermometer containing about 8 grams of
mercury may be used. Every lab with mercury thermometers or equipment containing mercury
must be prepared for breakage. Note that mercury exposed to air “evaporates” at room
temperature, producing an invisible, tasteless, odorless and dangerous vapor. Thermometers
have been used for decades in laboratory equipment and when used properly provide an
accurate and effective means of calibration. Keep the thermometer in a safe place where it will
not be crushed or otherwise broken. When using the thermometer be careful not to drop or
bend the glass. Place a hot thermometer onto cotton patches to cool. Never put a hot
thermometer in contact with cold metal or cold solvent because the thermal shock can crack or
shatter the glass. Mercury is extremely toxic and should be handled accordingly.
A material safety data sheet (MSDS) for mercury (Hg) can be found on the Internet. Observe
local, state and federal hazardous waste disposal laws when disposing of any broken
thermometers. If packaged in a sealed plastic container and labeled with the followingsymbol:
P/N: M0726(3) | Rev: 012020 | ECO: 51182
www.dynisco.com

From lab to production,
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-9-
Pinch Points
Do not place weights in precarious positions where they can be bumped and fall to the floor. For
large test weights (over 10 kg) the pneumatic lift system is recommended. The lift system
has a mechanical capture rod which will not allow the weights to “fall” out of the machine. When
the machine is in operation the lift system moves the weight downward somewhat quickly
creating an area where anything lying beneath could be crushed. The lift system has a safety
door that, when installed correctly and not tampered with, will prevent the lift from moving when
open. There are redundant internal firmware and mechanical hardware safeties in place in the
lift system.
Fumes from Materials
Please plan for unexpected issues to arise. Many polymers (PVC, PVF etc.) are well known for
giving off hazardous fumes at elevated temperatures. An exhaust system that removes fumes
from both the die exit and near the top of the barrel is strongly recommended. Consideration
should also be given to additives that may degrade or decompose at elevated test
temperatures.
Obligation of the operator to exercise duecare
The LMFI was designed and constructed taking into consideration a hazard analysis having
carefully adhering to the harmonised safety standards as well as further technical
specifications. Thus, the LMFI conforms to the state of the art technology and ensures a
maximum ofsafety.
In practical operation, this safety can, however, be achieved only if all necessary measures are
taken. The obligation of the plant operator to exercise due care includes planning these
measures and supervising their execution.
Especially, the operator has to ensure that:
1. The LMFI will be used only in accordance with the intended purpose.
2. The LMFI will be operated in a flawless, functionally efficient condition and that, in
particular, the functional efficiency of the safety devices will be checked at regular
intervals.
3. No modifications will be made to the component except by a Dynisco serviceperson.
4. The necessary personal protective equipment for the operation, maintenance, and
service will be available and used by any personnel performing thesefunctions.
P/N: M0726(3) | Rev: 012020 | ECO: 51182
www.dynisco.com

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5. The operating instructions are always available completely and fully legible at the
installation location of the LMFI. It must be guaranteed that all persons who work with
the LMFI can consult the operating instructions at anytime.
6. Only sufficiently qualified and authorized personnel will operate, maintain, and repair the
LMFI.
7. All safety and warning labels, attached to the LMFI, must not be removed and must
remain fully legible.
8. Additional instructions, in accordance with facility, local, state and federal industrial
safety regulations and their corresponding, related ordinances for the use of work
materials, will have to be made available as a supplement to the operatinginstructions.
P/N: M0726(3) | Rev: 012020 | ECO: 51182
www.dynisco.com