New Software for Dynisco Melt Flow Indexer Simplifies Polymer Test Data Management
New software, now available with Dynisco LMI Series melt-flow indexers, offers simplicity in gathering, storing and managing digital data collected by the system. The LaVA Suite software is a proprietary development of Dynisco, a global leader in measurement and control technology for plastics processing. The name LaVA stands for laboratory viscosity analysis.
Since their introduction, LMI melt flow indexers have been recognised for advanced features which make them ideal for the modern testing lab. Innovations include an ergonomic weight-handling system, automated resin-sample packing, improved digital piston-displacement measurement and a touch-screen user interface. Now, new data-management software completes the package.
“The LMI is Dynisco’s approach to reinventing one of the most common pieces of equipment in any polymer laboratory,” notes Joe DiOrio, product manager. “Along with its ergonomic features, our new software turns a standard piece of laboratory equipment into a 21st century test operator’s dream come true.”
According to Dynisco, the LaVA Suite software for the LMI is capable of delivering a wider range of data, dramatically simplifying analysis, reporting and archiving. It captures not only melt index values, but also shear stress, shear rate, viscosity and apparent melt density, while also recording testing conditions. The LaVA Suite software has the look and feel of applications for the latest PCs or mobile devices. Screen layout and menu navigation is immediately intuitive to lab personnel of every skill level.
Other key features of the LMI include:
• Weight management system: Gone are the days of operators having to lift heavy weights to place them on the melt indexer piston. Borrowing an ergonomic feature from gym equipment, Dynisco has stored all weights in the unit itself, and changing the weight load is as simple as moving a pin from one slot to the next.
• Material packing made easy: To avoid inconsistent packing of resin samples, which can cause data inconsistency, Dynisco has developed an adjustable force packer that delivers a constant force regardless of the operator.
• Touch-screen display: Replacing the vacuum fluorescent display, the larger, backlit colour touch-screen allows for easier programming and viewing of testing status and results.
• Improved digital encode: A digital encoder provides an accurate measurement of piston displacement during volumetric tests.
• USB Ports: Three USB ports are standard with the LMI. One master and 2 slave ports provide all the communication necessary for networking LMI’s, storing data on a USB stick or communicating to a weigh scale or printer.
Other important features include optional automatic cut-off of samples during method A and A/B testing, and correlation of data to determine PET intrinsic viscosity.