U-VIsc 200 fully automatic viscometry system

The U-VIsc 200 combines several unique features, making it the instrument of choice in many applications, ranging from QC to R&D to used oil analysis. While offering full compliance with ASTM D445/446, the specially designed viscometer tubes cover an 100-fold range, so a single tube can cover a range of 1-100, 2-200 mm²/s etc. The tubes are based on the well-known and proven Ubbelohde design. Through modification the main advantage of this design (accuracy) is maintained, but the main disadvantages (sample and solvent consumption, ease of use) negated. The modified tubes only require 8-12 ml. of sample and approx. 15-20 ml. of solvent for cleaning. Available with 1 or optional 2 solvent cleaning, the instrument measures kinematic viscosity between 0.5 and 5,000 mm²/s.

The instrument is compact, saving costly bench space. It is fitted with 2 independent baths, which each contain 2 100-fold viscometer tubes. Sophisticated temperature control ensures that measurements are carried out well within ASTM D445 requirements. Each bath features a 32-position sampling tray (16 samples per tube), allowing completely unattended operation. Depending on the viscosity of the sample, the instrument can process up to 40 samples per hour, satisfying even the needs of high volume commercial labs running several hundred samples per day. All measurement data is stored on the connected PC and can be exported directly to LIMS or spreadsheet software.

The user loads the sample tray with 32 samples (16 samples per tube) for each bath and enters the sample ID's through the PC interface. After pressing start, the instrument will process these samples completely automatically. The following will describe briefly how this is performed. After start, the oil is sucked up into the viscometer and allowed to come up to the test temperature. When this has been reached, the oil will be allowed to travel down the viscometer. When it passes the thermal sensor which is integrated into the tube, the time measurement will start.

When the second sensor is passed, the time measurement is stopped. The result is presented on-screen and on the PC software or optionally on an external printer. Immediately upon completion of the measurement, the system starts a cleaning cycle by first draining the tube, performing the specified number of injections of solvent and finally drying the tube. The entire cycle time (meaning from the injection of a sample until the system is ready to process the next sample) ranges from 6-7 minutes, allowing for a capacity of approx. 10 samples per hour per tube, i.e. 40 samples per hour for the entire system.

U-VIsc Brochure

• Autosampling enables fully unattended operation
• 100-fold tube range eliminates the need to exchange tubes
• Fully compliant with ASTM D445/D446, ISO3104/3105 and related specifications
• Requires less sample (8-15 ml) than conventional viscometer
• Reduced solvent consumpation (up to 60% compared to conventional viscometers)
• Automatic Viscosity Index calculation if baths are run at 40º and 100ºC
• Extremely stable bath temperature (±0.005°C)
• Compact, rugged design and built to last
• Low maintenance