Specac Atlas GS15800 User manual

Atlas™ High Temperature
Film Maker Accessory
User Manual
2I-15800 Issue 15

Atlas™ High Temperature
Film Maker Accessory
User Manual
2I-15800 Issue 15

User Manual
2
Atlas™ High Temperature Film Maker
Accessory P/N GS1 800
Contents - User Manual
1. I NTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 4
2. U NPACKING AND C HECKLIST ............................................................. 5
3. S PECIFICATIONS OF THE A TLAS ™ H IGH T E PERATURE F IL AKER
A CCESSORY ..................................................................................... 7
4. S AFETY C ONSIDERATIONS ................................................................ 8
S AFETY W ARNINGS W HEN O PERATING THE H IGH T E PERATURE F IL
AKER A CCESSORY ......................................................................... 9
N OTE ON T HER AL S AFETY C UT -O FF S WITCHES ............................... 9
P RESSING C ONSIDERATIONS ........................................................... 10
5. I NSTALLATION OF THE A TLAS ™ H IGH TE PERATURE F IL AKER
A CCESSORY .................................................................................. 11
C ONNECTING THE C OOLING W ATER S YSTE .................................. 11
P REPARING THE P RESS AND F IL AKER FOR U SE ......................... 12
S AFETY G UARDS AND AGNETIC C ATCH S TOP P ARTS .................... 14
P ROTECTIVE F IL S ON THE P OLISHED P RESSING S URFACES ........... 15
I NSTALLATION OF THE H IGH T E PERATURE F IL AKER A CCESSORY
INTO A P RESS ................................................................................ 16
I NSTALLATION INTO A TLAS ™ P OWER AND A UTO P RESSES .............. 20
6. U SING THE F IL AKER A CCESSORY ............................................. 21
T HE A LU INIU F OIL D ISCS ........................................................... 21
AKING THE A LU INIU F OIL S A PLE C UP .................................... 22
P LACING A S A PLE INTO THE F IL AKER A CCESSORY ................. 25
H EATING THE S A PLE .................................................................... 32
C OOLING THE S A PLE ................................................................... 33
A CCESSING THE F IL S A PLE ........................................................ 33
7. N OTES FOR O PERATION OF THE H IGH T E PERATURE F IL AKER
A CCESSORY .................................................................................. 35
N OTE 1: U SING THE A LU INIU F OIL D ISCS .................................... 35
N OTE 2: S PACER R INGS - T OLERANCES AND F IL T HICKNESS ......... 36
N OTE 3: T IPS ON P RESSING ........................................................... 38
N OTE 4: C LEANING OF C O PONENTS ............................................. 39

Atlas™ High Temperature Film Maker Accessory
3
8.
A TLAS ™ H IGH T E PERATURE F IL AKER A CCESSORY O PERATING
P ARA ETERS ON THE C ONTROLLER ............................................... 40
9. L EGEND - B UBBLE N U BER P ART I DENTIFICATION ......................... 42
10. S PARES AND C ONSU ABLES ........................................................ 42
© April 2016 Specac Ltd. All rights reserved.
Brilliant Spectroscopy is a trademark of Specac Ltd.
Other product names mentioned herein may be trademarks
of their respective owners.

User Manual
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1. Introduction
New polymers and plastics are constantly being developed to
withstand high temperatures and pressures in commercial use.
The Atlas™ High Temperature Film aker Accessory allows for a
quick thin film sample preparation for the quantitative and qualitative
analysis of such polymers (eg. PEEK) via spectroscopic measurement.
Other mechanical properties for the sample type can also be evaluated
after film preparation.
The Atlas™ High Temperature Film aker Accessory is a compact
system, with built in heated platens and cooling system will produce
thin films from polymer or plastic beads, fibers, ropes, foams and
extruded pieces in typically 10-40 minutes depending on the type of
material. It has been designed to be used within the following Specac
hydraulic presses:-
Atlas™ anual 15T – P/N GS15011.
Atlas™ anual 25T – P/N GS25011.
Atlas™ Power 8T – P/N GS25400.
Atlas™ Autotouch 8T – P/N GS25800.
The Atlas™ High Temperature Film aker Accessory is powered by a
dedicated 4000 Series™ Temperature Controller. The following user
instruction manual is for explanation and understanding in use of the
Film aker Accessory itself. A separate user instruction manual is
provided for the 4000 Series Temperature Controller to be used in
conjunction with the High Temperature Film aker Accessory.

Atlas™ High Temperature Film Maker Accessory
5
2. Unpacking and Checklist
The system is packed into two boxes; a carry case containing the High
Temperature Film aker Unit Assembly with accessories and a box
containing the 4000 Series Temperature Controller.
Please check that the following have been provided in the carry case.
● One Atlas™ High Temperature Film
aker unit fitted with 0.5 meters of
silicone rubber tubing and Quick Connect
(insert and body) couplings for water
cooling.
● Two 1 meter lengths of silicone rubber
tubing for water cooling fitted with Quick
Connect (insert and body) couplings.
● One set of matching steel spacer rings.
These are engraved with letters to denote
the following nominal thicknesses.
A=15µm, B =25µm, C=50µm,
D=100µm, E=250µm, F=500µm
● One spacing bar (aluminium cylinder block).
● One set of forceps.
● One stainless steel spatula.
● One sample cup making tool.
● One foam pad for sample cup making tool.
● One packet of Specacards (20 cards).
● One box of aluminum foil discs. (200 discs).
● One modified rear safety guard (shortened) for use with Atlas™
anual Hydraulic Presses.

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● One magnetic catch stop fitting.
● One user instruction manual for the High Temperature Film aker
Accessory.
Please check that the temperature controller box contains the
following.
● One 4000 Series™ Temperature Controller
for operation of the Atlas™ High Temperature
Film aker Accessory.
● One mains lead power cable.
● One user instruction manual for the
4000 Series Temperature Controller.

Atlas™ High Temperature Film Maker Accessory
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3. Specifications of the Atlas™ High
Temperature Film Maker Accessory
aximum load : 2 tons
Temperature range : Ambient to 400°C
Load required for pressing : 1 to 2 tons
Nominal thickness of films : 15, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500µm
Diameter of pressed film : 29mm
Integral heated platens : 30 volts low voltage for safety
aximum heater power 600 Watts
Integral cooling system : Water cooling using Quick
Connect couplings and
4.5mm i.d silicone tubing
Temperature controller : Digital automatic with dual
temperature indicators (set
and actual)
Heating rate : 13 mins to 400°C
7 mins to 300°C
Cooling rate at 1 liter/min flow : 22 mins from 400°C to 60°C
19 mins from 300°C to 60°C
Thermal safety cut-off switches
on cooling blocks : 70° ± 3°C cut-off
55° ± 4°C reset
aterial of polished platens/
rings : Hardened alloy (stainless
steel)

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4. Safety Considerations
Safety Warnings When Operating The
High Temperature Film Maker Accessory
The Atlas™ High Temperature Film aker Accessory has been
designed to be as safe as possible in usage. The instructions that
follow help to advise for a safe operation, but the greatest risk to safety
may be presented by the actual sample itself to be heated and pressed
in an exposed environment. If in any doubt of the risks involved in
usage of a chemical in this way, then seek assistance.
A) DO NOT exceed a load of 2 tons in use of the High Temperature
Film aker Accessory. It is very important that any applied load is
spread over the whole surface area of the heated, polished
pressing faces. A localised “point loading” could cause damage to
the heated pressing surfaces.
B) DO NOT attempt to press potentially explosive materials.
C) DO NOT attempt to press potentially combustible materials, or
materials with a low flash point temperature.
D) DO NOT use the High Temperature Film aker Accessory
without a continuous flow of cooling water. A water flow must be
on at all times to avoid overheating of the heated platen pressing
surfaces and risk of damage.
E) If the cooling water flow is interrupted, thermal safety cut-off
switches will turn off any power to the heated platens pressing
surfaces. DO NOT re-establish a water flow until the water cooling
blocks temperature falls below 55ºC.
F) AVOID BURNS. DO NOT touch the heated platen heated surfaces
with bare hands. They may be VERY HOT! Samples may take
longer to cool than the heated platens themselves. Use a sample
handling tool or wear suitable gloves to avoid the risk of burns to
hands.

Atlas™ High Temperature Film Maker Accessory
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ote on Thermal Safety Cut-Off Switches
The Atlas™ High Temperature Film aker Accessory incorporates
thermal safety cut-off switches (1). These have been fitted to the top
(2) and lower (3) water cooling block parts of the top (4) and lower (5)
heated pressing assemblies at the rear of the unit. (See Fig 1.)
Fig 1. Thermal Safety Cut-Off Switches on the High Temperature
Film Maker Accessory
One cut-off switch (1) will be activated when the flow of cold water
supply is interrupted and the top (2) or lower (3) cooling blocks
temperature exceeds about 70°C. Should this happen, the system will
operate at half power using only two of the four heaters. Therefore the
temperature range will be limited. If the temperature of both the top (2)
and lower (3) cooling blocks exceeds 70°C both cut-off switches (1) will
be activated and heating to the system will cease. The thermal cut-off
1
2
4
5
3

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switches (1) will reset themselves when the temperature of the cooling
blocks (2) and (3) returns to about 55°C.
The thermal cut-off switches (1) also act as a safeguard if the
thermocouple connection is broken, and the system goes open circuit.
In this condition power would be continuously fed to the four heaters
and the cooling blocks (2) and (3) would get very hot. However, when
the temperature of either or both blocks exceed 70°C the thermal cut-
off switches will operate and therefore stop any “temperature runaway”
of the system.
Pressing Considerations
When using the Atlas™ High Temperature Film aker Accessory in an
Atlas™ anual 15T or 25T Press (P/N’s GS15011 or P/N GS25011
respectively) although the tonnage loads to be applied for pressing are
typically low at 1 to 2 tons, with a maximum load specification to 2
tons, Specac recommend that the safety guards fitted to the Press as
standard are used at all times.
For protection against tonnage overloading the High Temperature Film
aker Accessory of parts when samples are to be pressed, it is a
requirement that the pressure relief valve assembly on a manual
hydraulic T15 or T25 press (the valve is located under the load gauge
on the press), is set to read a 2 tons maximum load at the load
gauge. You should adjust the pressure relief valve assembly as
necessary following instructions for the procedure from the presses
own user instruction manual.
When using the Atlas™ High Temperature Film aker Accessory in an
Atlas™ Power or Autotouch 8T Press (P/N GS25400 or P/N GS25800
respectively), the front safety guard of the press UST be closed to
allow for the Press to operate. The Atlas™ High Temperature Film
aker Accessory has been designed to fit into these presses for
operation when the front safety guard is closed. When using these
presses ensure that a load of up to 2 tons maximum O LY is
selected to apply to the High Temperature Film aker Accessory. Any
higher loads that can be applied from these presses will result in
damage to the top (4) and lower (5) heated pressing surface
assemblies.

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. Installation of the High Temperature Film
Maker Accessory
For installation of the Atlas™ High Temperature Film aker Accessory
into a Specac Press the procedure is as follows.
Connecting the Water Cooling System
A cold water supply for the water cooling system circuit is required for
operation of the Atlas™ High Temperature Film aker Accessory.
After passage through the cooling system, the water can flow to a drain
or be re-circulated if a suitable thermo-circulating system has been
employed for use in the water cooling circuit. (See water cooling
thermo-circulator systems, Specac P/N’s GS11127 and GS11128.)
The High Temperature Film aker Accessory will be supplied with
water cooling black silicone tubing and Quick Connect couplings (6)
and (7) already connected to the top (2) and lower (3) cooling block
parts to allow for cooling water to be introduced. The top (2) and lower
(3) cooling blocks will also already be connected together by black
silicone tubing to allow the flow of cooling water from one block
through to the other.
By convention, any supply of cooling water is introduced into the lower
cooling block (3) and then passes to flow through the top cooling block
(2). The black silicone tubing attached to the lower cooling block (3) for
water introduction is supplied finished with a Quick Connect body
coupling (6). The black silicone tubing attached to the top cooling block
(2) for water flow out is supplied finished with a Quick Connect insert
coupling (7). (See Fig 2.)
The Quick Connect couplings are a simple push fit from the insert (7)
into the body (6). The parts will “click” together when fully engaged. To
disconnect, the silver disc on the body (6) is pushed down whilst the
couplings are being pulled apart. When these Quick Connect couplings
are disconnected, water is prevented from leaking out of the silicone
tubing, thus avoiding accidental spillage.

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Fig 2. Quick Connect Body and Insert Couplings for
Water Cooling Black Silicone Tubing
To connect a cooling water supply to the High Temperature Film aker
Accessory, take the length of black silicon tubing supplied finished with
the Quick Connect insert (7) coupling and attach the open end of the
silicone tubing to a cold water tap or supply of water from a thermo-
circulating system. The insert (7) coupling is connected (click fit) to the
body (6) coupling of the silicone tubing that feeds into the lower
cooling block (3).
Take the other length of black silicone tubing supplied finished with the
Quick Connect body (6) coupling and connect to the insert (7)
coupling (click fit) fitted to the silicone tubing that allows the cooling
water out after passage through the top cooling block (2). Insert the
open end of this tubing connection into a drainage system, sink, or
back to any water thermo-circulating system being used.
Additional water cooling tubing may be required to connect to the
drainage side of the water cooling circuit if the Press to be used is a
considerable distance away from any sink or thermo-circulating unit.
When the appropriate black silicone tubing and Quick Connect body
(6) and insert (7) couplings have been made for the water cooling
circuit of the High Temperature Film aker, the water in and water out
are shown for Fig 3.
7
6
Disc to Push

Atlas™ High Temperature Film Maker Accessory
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Fig 3. Water In and Water Out Connections for High Temperature
Film Maker Accessory
Preparing the Press and Film Maker for Use
The following explanation is for installation of the Atlas™ High
Temperature Film aker Accessory into an Atlas™ anual 15T or 25T
Hydraulic Press. However a similar installation procedure can be
adopted if using an Atlas™ Power 8T or Autotouch 8T Press.
Ideally, any Specac Press to use will be situated close to a clean, cold
water supply and a drainage facility for provision of cooling water to the
High Temperature Film aker Accessory in operation. If this is not
possible to accommodate, even by using additional lengths of water
cooling tubing, then use of a remote and portably sited water thermo-
circulating system may be suitable to facilitate for water cooling.
For use of the High Temperature Film aker Accessory in any
compatible Specac Press, the top bolster pressing face (8) MUST be
fitted into the lead screw (9) of the Press. (See Fig 4.)
2
3
7
6
6
7
Water OUT
Water I

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Fig 4. Lead Screw and Top Bolster Pressing Face of the Atlas™
Manual Hydraulic Press
Safety Guards and Magnetic Catch Stop Parts
For installation of the High Temperature Film aker Accessory into an
Atlas™ anual Hydraulic Press the modified (shortened) safety guard
and magnetic catch stop parts supplied with the Accessory need to be
fitted to the Press.
ote: These parts are not required if using the High Temperature Film
Maker Accessory in the Atlas™ Power or Autotouch 8T presses.
9
8
11
10
19

Atlas™ High Temperature Film Maker Accessory
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Remove the original rear safety guard fitted to the back of the anual
Hydraulic Press. Similar to the front safety guard, the rear guard slides
up and down for access to and protection of the pressing area and is
closed when the two screw stops (10) are resting on the lower edge of
the pressing area. (See Fig 4.) To change over the rear guard for use
of the shortened, modified guard, the two screw stops (10) need to be
removed (unscrewed) from the original guard to allow it to slide up and
completely out of its runner grooves. Use the lifting knob (11) by
unscrewing it from the original rear guard and affixing it to the
shortened, modified guard and then insert this new shortened guard
assembly into position into the guard runner grooves at the rear of the
Press.
Take the magnetic catch stop to fit to the original front guard of the
Press. Remove the backing paper from the adhesive strip on the
magnetic catch stop and stick this surface of the catch to the inside
face of the front guard at its bottom edge with the magnetic catch parts
facing upwards. Ensure that the magnetic catch stop is also positioned
to one side of the front safety guard so that it will not rest on the High
Temperature Film aker Accessory loading handle (12) when the
Accessory is installed in the Press and the front guard is down.
(See Fig 8.)
When positioned for use on the anual Hydraulic Press, the modified
guard and magnetic catch parts allow for the following:-
● A good flow of air around the system to stop the cooling blocks (2)
and (3) from getting too hot when operating at maximum
temperatures (up to 400°C) for the heated pressing assemblies (4)
and (5).
● A good air flow stops the guards getting hot, expanding and jamming
inside the Press.
● The magnetic catch stop holds the front guard in the up position
when pulled all the way up, allowing clear access to load and unload
for a film sample into the heated pressing area of the Accessory.

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Protective Films on the Polished Pressing Surfaces
When the High Temperature Film aker Accessory is supplied from
new, the top (13) and lower (14) polished pressing surfaces, housed
within in their respective top (4) and lower (5) heated pressing surface
assemblies, have been covered in a protective film coating that needs
to be removed before use.
Take the High Temperature Film aker Accessory and lift and slide
the Top Half Assembly (the top cooling block (2) and heated pressing
surface assembly (4)) between the two side supporting brackets (15)
all the way to the top by use of the lifting handle (16) on the Top Half
Assembly. Then rotate the complete Top Half Assembly upside down
and backwards (through 210°) away from the forward projection of the
lifting handle (16) when in the normal horizontal pressing position and
secure it into the top rest slots (17) of the side supporting brackets
(15). (See Fig 5).
Fig 5. Top Half Assembly Positioned for Access to Protective
Films for Their Removal
2
14
5
3
13
4
16
17
15
12

Atlas™ High Temperature Film Maker Accessory
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This positioning and holding of the Top Half Assembly will allow access
to the protective film on both the top (13) and lower (14) polished
pressing surfaces. Remove (peel away) the protective films from both
the top (13) and lower (14) polished surfaces and clean the surfaces
using a soft lint free cloth or tissue and a suitable solvent (e.g. a
degreaser or acetone). Similarly clean all the spacer rings (18) (sizes A
through to F) before their initial use in the formation of a thin film.
Installation of the High Temperature Film Maker
Accessory into a Press
After removal of the protective films from the polished pressing
surfaces (13) and (14), return the Top Half Assembly of the Accessory
back to the Sampling Position, such that it is resting on top of the
Lower Half Assembly (lower cooling block (3) and heated pressing
surface assembly (5)). (See Fig 6.).
Fig 6. High Temperature Film Maker Accessory Ready for
Installation into the Press (Sampling Position)

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Create a sufficient gap in the Press between the top pressing bolster
surface (8) of the lead screw (9) and the lower bolster pressing piston
surface (19) by appropriate clockwise or anticlockwise rotation of the
lead screw (9) of the Press to accommodate the High Temperature
Film aker Accessory when in the Sampling Position. (See Fig 4.) It
is necessary for operation of the Accessory to have a sufficient gap
between the lead screw top bolster (8) and lower pressing piston (19)
surfaces that will allow for the overall height of the Accessory with the
supplied aluminium cylinder block spacing bar (20) resting on the top
cooling block (2) when installed. (See Fig 8.)
Fig 7. Rear View of Press with High Temperature Film Maker
Accessory Installed (in the Sampling Position)
Shortened
Modified Rear
Guard in Closed
Position
Cooling
Water OUT
Cooling
Water I