Thermo Electron Corporation Introduces On-line Quality Control System for Color Inspection in the Polymer Industry
September 27, 2005
KARLSRUHE -- Thermo Electron Corporation, the world leader in analytical instruments, introduced a new measuring system for the polymer industry that features on-line quality control for color inspection. The pioneering solution is integrated into the new HAAKE PolyLab OS torque rheometer platform, which was introduced to the US market this year at the national ANTEC technical conference.
The modular HAAKE PolyLab Open System (OS) unit is an innovative torque rheometer platform for polymer process engineering. The rheometer's system architecture has been designed on an open industry standard, allowing a number of standardized sensors and systems to be connected to it for optical, viscosity and spectroscopy measurements. Thermo's goal is to offer a wide range of new sensor applications for the HAAKE PolyLab OS system so that customers' varying needs can be met.
The PolyLab OS system's newest sensor allows on-line control of color changes that occur either due to polymer degradation or can be used for color compound production. The sensor is available through the company's cooperation with Equitech in New Ellenton, SC, which developed the sensor for real-time, on-line monitoring for color in the melt stream.
A fiber-optic probe is connected to the inside of the extruder die to a spectrophotometer with a CCD sensor to allow on-line monitoring of color changes in the melt stream. Two different probes are available, one for opaque materials, the other for clear and translucent melts. On-line control saves time for pellet sampling, and eliminates the need for off-line quality control in the laboratory.
About Equitech
Equitech is a leading provider of spectrophotometers, software, and fiber-optic probes for the measurement of color information in industrial processes. Equitech serves paint, plastics, paper, textiles, leather, ceramic, food & beverage and many other industries. Equitech has sales representatives throughout the United States and in Europe, South America and Asia.
About Thermo Electron Corporation - Control Technologies
The Temperature Control product line comprises precision liquid temperature control equipment that includes recirculating baths, chillers and heat exchangers for laboratory and process applications.
Thermo's Material Characterization products analyze and measure viscosity, elasticity, processability and temperature-related mechanical changes of plastics, food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and coatings, plus a wide variety of liquids or solids.
About Thermo Electron Corporation
Thermo Electron Corporation is the world leader in analytical instruments. Our instrument solutions enable our customers to make the world a healthier, cleaner and safer place. Thermo's Life and Laboratory Sciences segment provides analytical instruments, scientific equipment, services and software solutions for life science, drug discovery, clinical, environmental and industrial laboratories. Thermo's Measurement and Control segment is dedicated to providing analytical instruments used in a variety of manufacturing processes and in-the-field applications, including those associated with safety and homeland security. Based near Boston, Massachusetts, Thermo has revenues of approximately $2.7 billion, and employs approximately 11,000 people in 30 countries.
