D-RPA 3000 Dynamic Rubber Process Analyzer
The MonTech Rubber Process Analyzer (RPA) is the most advanced dynamic rubber rheometer for attaining key data on rubber and polymer molecular properties.
Features & Applications
- Patented MonTech wearless direct torque drive motor
- Rugged 3000 series machine frame for the most stable readings
- Highly accurate angular displacement sensor with precision of 0.000001°
- Fanless and sealed housing
- Self-diagnostic software
- 10kHz high speed data sampling rate
- 10+ Optional Modules
Advanced Modules
Advanced Applications Package
Setting the Bar for RPA Technology
The New Advanced Applications Package is the latest technological development in RPA design. This innovative module boosts RPA testing to new levels by enabling the motor to operate with the traditional oscillatory shear or activate the new STEADY SHEAR rotational mode.
The combination of technologies – oscillatory & steady shear – paired with die cooling and new seal / friction heat compensation, provides essential data for key manufacturing processes by enabling the RPA to analyze rubber materials at process relevant conditions.
Key Features Include:
New Generation Direct Torque Drive System for testing in oscillatory and rotational mode
- Shear rates from 10-4 sec-1 to 100 sec-1 in oscillatory and 750 sec-1 in rotational mode
- New dedicated MonControl Subtest Routines for Steady Shear, Shear Rate Sweeps, etc.
- Variable Drive Offset and pre-strain application for any subtest
- Infinite strain for high-shear LAOS measurements
- Normal force controlled wall slip measurements
Revolutionary New Seal Technology for Lower Die
- High-Tech seal materials for longer seal life
- Minimized friction and reduced heat-build up around lower die
- Durable & designed to withstand highest shear-rates
With the New Advanced Applications Package, the D-RPA 3000 is ready for your processability challenges.
The Advanced Applications Package provides excellent correlation to high-shear manufacturing processes such as calendaring, injection molding, extrusion and more. Simple tests with pre-programmed procedures generate process relevant results in minutes – eliminating the need for traditional methods such as capillary rheometers on filled rubber compounds. With the combination of rotational and steady shear modes, other typical tests associated with the DMA, extrusion rheology and viscometry, or other process relevant test condition in the rubber industry can be done on a single instrument.
- Linear Automation
- Tray Automation
- MCool 10 Chilled Air Cooling
- MCool -40 Chilled Air Cooling
- Die Cavity Pressure Measurement System
- Die Cavity Pressure Control System
- High-Speed Data Acquisition System
- Pneumatic Cooling System
Linear Automation
Easily improve productivity.
Linear automation systems are ideal for online testing, utilizing a fast and reliable direct conveyor feeder with the lower film as a transportation carrier.
5 or 10 Samples.
Ideal for online automated testing, this system features automated sample loading and unloading with a linear queue of either 5 or 10 test samples at a time.
Linear automation systems are always the preferred choice for very sticky materials such as silicones or glue that sample loading arm systems might not be able to handle.
Tray Automation
Maximum Efficiency
Tray automation systems allow users to queue larger amounts of samples and leave the testing system running totally unattended over long periods. With MonTech's patented direct sample hadling system, sample placement accuracy and test result repeatability is significantly increased. Samples are handled and monitored by a high-volume vacuum system, ensuring perfect sample pickup, transporation and drop-off - even for less than ideal test samples.
24, 48, or 100 Samples Tray
This system features automated sample loading and unloading with a direct tray-to-chamber handling system.
MCool 10 Chilled Air Cooling
Integrated cartridge cooling system that separates the provided air streams into cold (-45°C) and hot (+110°C) fraction to enhance the performance of the machine compared to the standard pneumatic cooling system. This system is especially suitable for testing at or below room temperature in order to provide the most accurate test results as well as correlations with final product application environments. This system is highly recommended for dynamic testing and a must for testing in the ambient temperature range.
The vortex tubes are installed in line with the standard pneumatic cooling system.
The operation principle of the MCool 10 cooling system is very simple:
- Air is accelerated and separated in cartridge centrifuges.
- Afterwards the cold fraction of the air is used for separate cooling of both test dies down to +8°C.
- Only a forced air supply with at least 4 Bars is required — there are no additional chillers or cooling liquids needed. (performance of the cooling systems depends on supplied air)
This technology is patented worldwide by MonTech.
MCool -40 Chilled Air Cooling
The advanced cooling system features a liquid cooling system with an external chiller unit. The cooling system works as an addition to the pneumatic cooling system. If lower temperatures are required, the chiller unit will begin cooling down the dies to as low as -40°C. Both dies are separately chilled and cooled by the external unit connected to the instrument. The liquid cooling system is able to run anything from sample curing down to glass transition testing.
The heating system of the dies remains unchanged; instruments equipped with this chiller unit maintain the functions of a Moving Die Rheometer or Rubber Process Analyzer.
This technology is patented worldwide by MonTech
Die Cavity Pressure Measurement System
The system includes a combined force / torque transducer and a 2-channel amplifier system for real-time simultaneous measurements of torque and force. This system measures the normal force to calculate pressure within the rheometer's die cavity. The force transducer and amplifier are balanced automatically before each test. Measuring the pressure and torque simultaneously is an easy way to quantify the expansion/contraction of the compound before, during, and after vulcanization.
Die Cavity Pressure Control System
With this option, cavity pressure can also be controlled either to a programmed or an on-line calculated pressure level. The closing force and die gap are designed as a variable, independent axis so that the cavity pressure can be controlled. This system is especially suitable for test sequences that include curing and a cool-down of the sample for a dynamical mechanical analysis. This system can be utilized to compensate for material shrinkage to avoid any slippage in the test chamber. This technology is patented worldwide by MonTech.
High-Speed Data Acquisition System
The high speed DAQ option offers unique result stream resolution as well as an ultimate level of precision for the torque signal and motor position. Both channels are sampled and processed simultaneously with 24 Bit resolution at a data rate of 180KHz. All data streams are provided on the PC and calculated online in realtime kernel. It is also possible to save the raw data streams to the PC’s memory. This makes the system especially suitable for FT-Rheology purposes as well as applications that require precise analysis of material responses in any harmonic.
Pneumatic Cooling System
This pneumatic air cooling system cools both dies separately using independent PID-controllers, rapidly cooling the instrument from higher to lower testing temperatures. When using non-Isothermal and RPA operation modes this system enables cooling at any point during the test.
- Allows test sequences to follow precise cooling ramps and steps
- Conducts friction heat away from the sample when testing at high shear rates
- Reduces non-productive time of the instrument and operator by shortening stabilization time
- Air lines have quick connects at each platen, and exhaust through the platen assemblies
- Air is supplied by an independent regulator on the back of the machine
Technical Specifications
Standards | ISO 13145 | ISO 6502 |
Die Configuration | Biconical, closed die system, sealed |
Die Gap | 0.45 mm nominal, variable die gap and closing force optional |
Sample Volume | approx. 4.5 cm3 |
Drive System | Direct, wearless servo drive system with ceramic bearings |
Closing System | Soft closing to prevent foil rips and damage of test sample, optionally variable closing force and die gap |
Oscillation Frequency | 0.001 Hz to 100 Hz (0.05 to 6000 cpm) |
Oscillation Strain | +/- 0.0001° to 360° (+/-0.0014% to 5032%) |
Torque Range | 0.0001 to 250 dNm |
Normal Force / Pressure (opt.) | 0 to 10.000 kPa (1.450 lbin), Auto tare |
Temperature Control System | Ambient to 232°C, precision +/-0.03°C |
Temperature Check System | Recordings of the temperature gradient on the screen, microprocessor monitored |
Measured Data | Torque (dNm, lbf.in, kgf.cm), Temperature (°C, °F), Pressure (bar, kg per cm²), Time (min - min / min - sec / sec), Shear rate (1/s, rad/s), Cure rate (1/min, 1/sec) |
Calculated Data | S΄, S˝, S*, G΄, G˝, G*, tan δ, η΄, η˝ and η* S΄ |
Subroutines | Isothermal, non-isothermal, timed, temperature sweep, strain sweep, frequency sweep, shear rate sweep, multi sweep, relaxation, retardation, hysteresis, tension tests, LAOS, more... |
Data Interface | Ethernet (10/100 MBit), USB (int.), CF card (int.), RS232 (opt.) |
Data Points | Over 3500 data points available for each static subtest; Including S‘ Min, S‘ Max, TS 1, TS 2, TC 10, TC 30, TC 50, TC 90; Integrated, automatic reporting features for dynamic tests |
Pneumatics | min. 4.5 Bar / 60 psi |
Electrical | 200-240 V, 6 Amps, 47-63 Hz, Single phase |
Dimensions (H x W x D) | 59.84 in x 26.77 in x 23.62 in (152 cm x 68 cm x 60 cm) |
Instrument Options | - Instrument control panel with 5" touchscreen display and printer |