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The Elcometer Rotary Viscometer has been tested in accordance with EU regulations governing Electro-magnetic compliance and it meets the required directives. Note: Gauge readings may be affected if the unit is operated within a radio frequency electromagnetic strength of greater than 3 V/m.
Our products cover all aspects of coating inspection, from development through application to post application inspection. The Elcometer Rotary Viscometer is a world beating product. With the purchase of this product you now have access to the worldwide service and support network of Elcometer. For more information visit our website at www.elcometer.com...
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BOUT YOUR ISCOMETER 1.2 What the box contains • Viscometer head • Column with head mounting bracket • Spindles L1 to L4 or R2 to R7 (R2 to R7 shown in illustration) • Base • Box spanner tool • Hexagonal wrench •...
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• Shear rate (RV2 models only) • Shear stress (RV2 models only) Your Elcometer Rotary Viscometer is packed in a cardboard and foam package. Please ensure that this packaging is disposed of in an environmentally sensitive manner. Consult your local Environmental Authority for further guidance.
ETTING STARTED 2 GETTING STARTED This section of the instructions is intended for first-time users of the Elcometer Rotary Viscometer. It contains information on the parts and controls of the instrument and advice on safe use of the equipment. When you have finished reading this section you will be ready to start using your Elcometer Rotary Viscometer.
ETTING STARTED 2.2 Assembling the Viscometer To assemble your Viscometer: 1. Remove the nut from the bottom end of the column. 2. Fit the column onto the base with the slot facing towards the front. 3. Fit the nut onto the bottom of the column and tighten using the box spanner supplied with your Viscometer.
ETTING STARTED 2.3 Rear connections Power Power supply on/off socket switch PT 100 RS 232 probe interface socket 2.4 Control panel Your Viscometer is controlled using the five buttons on the control panel on the front of the Viscometer head. Enter setup screen ENTER Increase /...
ETTING STARTED 2.5 Configuring your Viscometer Switch on the Viscometer by pressing the power on/off switch at the rear of the Viscometer head. A welcome message will be displayed for a period of two seconds. The contents of the message will depend upon the model, software version and language setting: V2-R v4.3 English...
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ETTING STARTED The temperature units selection screen will appear: Temperature Units Celsius Using the [UP] or [DOWN] buttons, select the temperature units, Celsius or Fahrenheit. Press [ENTER] to confirm your selection. The mode selection screen will appear: Computer mode Using the [UP] or [DOWN] buttons, select the required mode, Printer or Computer. Press [ENTER] to confirm your selection.
ETTING STARTED 2.6 Fitting the spindle guard The spindle guard supplied with your Viscometer has two functions: • It provides physical protection for spindle types L and R. • It allows accurate measurements to be taken with the large spindles (L1 and R1, R2, R3). Use of the spindle guard with spindles other than the L1 and R1, R2, R3 is optional.
ETTING STARTED 2.7 Spindle types Used for Spindle type Use with measurement of (included with Elcometer 2300 RV1-L Low to medium Viscometer) Elcometer 2300 RV2-L viscosity fluids (included with Elcometer 2300 RV1-R Medium to high Viscometer) Elcometer 2300 RV2-R viscosity fluids...
2.9 Caution The Elcometer Rotary Viscometer has been manufactured with your safety in mind. However, improper use can result in damage to the machine. Please observe the precautions discussed in these operating instructions.
SING YOUR ISCOMETER 3 USING YOUR VISCOMETER This section describes how to take measurements with your Viscometer. The instructions apply to RV1 Viscometers and to RV2 Viscometers under manual operation. For additional instructions on using RV2 Viscometers interfaced to a PC, refer to “ViscosityMaster Software” on page 30. 3.1 Before you start 1.
SING YOUR ISCOMETER 3.3 Starting a measurement 1. Press [START] to start the measurement. Stable flow conditions are reached quickly and the viscosity readings on the display of the Viscometer can be considered correct within a few seconds (depending on the selected speed and the viscosity of the sample).
RINTING TEST RESULTS and temperature) should always be used to test this type of product and additional parameters should be recorded such as the time elapsed before first measurement, sampling interval, etc. 3.5 After use Clean the instrument and spindle. Always remove the spindle from the instrument before cleaning.
The adaptor for small sample volumes allows precise measurement of the viscosity of small sample volumes (8 ml to 13 ml). The adaptor is suitable for use with all models of the Elcometer Rotary Viscometer. There are two types of this adaptor: •...
The adaptor for low viscosity samples allows precise measurement of the viscosity of low viscosity samples (16 ml to 18 ml), both Newtonian and non Newtonian. The adaptor is suitable for use with all models of the Elcometer Rotary Viscometer. There are two types of this adaptor: •...
The adaptor is suitable for use with all models of the Elcometer Rotary Viscometer. The adaptor moves the Viscometer head slowly up and down. This movement causes the spindle to...
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SING THE OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES 5. Slide the second ring clamp onto the column. 6. Insert the rod of the Viscometer head through the hole in the mounting bracket on the drive mechanism and rotate the mounting bracket lever to lock the Viscometer head in position.
The Elcometer Rotary Viscometer does not contain any internal user-serviceable components. In the unlikely event of a fault, the instrument should be returned to your local Elcometer supplier or directly to Elcometer. Details of Elcometer offices around the world are given on the outside cover of these Operating...
ROUBLESHOOTING 9 TROUBLESHOOTING The instrument does not operate Check: • the connection to the mains electricity supply • the power on/off switch position at the rear of the Viscometer head The spindle does not rotate concentrically Check: • that the spindle is correctly adjusted to the shaft •...
PARE PARTS AND ACCESSORIES 11 SPARE PARTS AND ACCESSORIES The following spare parts and accessories for your Elcometer Rotary Viscometer are available from your local supplier or direct from Elcometer: 11.1 Standard spindles Spindle set, standard, type L (L1 to L4)
KT00230020180 12 RELATED EQUIPMENT In addition to the Elcometer Rotary Viscometer, Elcometer produces a wide range of other equipment for determining the physical characteristics of surface coatings. Users of the Elcometer 2300 may also benefit from the following Elcometer products: •...
• Create PDF versions of your reports and e-mail direct from ViscosityMaster. 13.1 System Requirements To use the software on this CD you will need an Elcometer 2300 Rotational Viscometer, a computer and a data transfer cable. ® The software will run on PC compatible computers under Windows 98, 98SE, 2000, ME, NT and XP.
An RS232 to USB transfer cable is available which allows you to connect your Viscometer to a USB port on your computer; part number T99916716. Contact Elcometer or your local supplier for ordering details.
If you need help with your Elcometer 2300 Rotational Viscometer, refer to the operating instructions which were included with your Viscometer. If you cannot find the answer to your question, please do not hesitate to contact Elcometer or your Elcometer supplier.
HE USER INTERFACE 15 THE USER INTERFACE The ViscosityMaster user interface is very similar to a standard Windows Explorer interface: 1. Toolbar: New, cut, copy, delete, auto, manual, stop, export, etc. 2. Explorer Window: Lists the files and folders on your PC and on your Viscometer. All data is stored in \My Documents\My ViscoMeter Data.
XAMPLE DATA 16 EXAMPLE DATA When you install Elcometer ViscosityMaster software, a set of example data is loaded into your local folder; click on ‘Viscometer Data’ in the Explorer Window and then look for ‘Example Batch’ in the List Window.
PERATING MODES 17 OPERATING MODES Your ViscosityMaster software has two operating modes; manual and automatic. • In manual mode your ViscosityMaster software records measurements as they are taken by the instrument but it does not control the operation of the Viscometer. •...
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RV1 V NSTRUCTIONS FOR ISCOMETERS 3. The Model, Spindle type, Company and Operator will already be set from ‘Preferences’ when ViscosityMaster was run for the first time. If necessary, amend these details as required. 4. Enter details in the Identifier and Notes fields. This information is used later, typically within test reports.
RV2 V NSTRUCTIONS FOR ISCOMETERS 18.2 Running a batch 1. Lower the Viscometer spindle into the test sample. 2. Click on ‘Manual’ and then press ‘Start’ on the Viscometer. 3. The measurements and charts will be shown in real time. 4.
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RV2 V NSTRUCTIONS FOR ISCOMETERS 2. Type a name for the batch and then press the Return key. 3. The Model, Spindle type, Company and Operator will already be set from ‘Preferences’ when ViscosityMaster was run for the first time. If necessary, amend these details as required. 4.
RV2 V NSTRUCTIONS FOR ISCOMETERS 19.2 Setting up processes In automatic mode the Viscometer is controlled using processes. Processes are groups of data which specify settings such as spindle speed, rotation duration, measurement frequency, etc. A single batch can incorporate any number of processes. 1.
RV2 V NSTRUCTIONS FOR ISCOMETERS 19.3 Running a batch 1. Lower the Viscometer spindle into the test sample. 2. Click on ‘Automatic’. The Viscometer will start under control of ViscosityMaster and the measurements and charts will be shown in real time. 3.
ORKING WITH ISCOMETER DATA 20 WORKING WITH VISCOMETER DATA This section describes what you can do with your Viscometer batch data once it has been downloaded into ViscosityMaster: • Viewing Measurement Data and Standard Reports • Customising report window tabs •...
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ORKING WITH ISCOMETER DATA 4. Adjust the contents of the chart using the X axis and Y axis drop down lists. 5. To zoom in to an area on the chart, use your mouse to left click and drag. To reset the zoom click on the Reset Zoom button.
ORKING WITH ISCOMETER DATA 20.2 Customising report window tabs The Header, Measurements and My Reports tabs are always visible in the Report Window. All other tabs (and user defined tabs) can be added or deleted: 1. In the Explorer Window, click on Reports. 2.
ORKING WITH ISCOMETER DATA 4. In the Report Window, click ‘New Page’ and then choose between ‘Opening’, ‘Inner’ and ‘Closing’ page types. • Opening pages: Typically used for report title page; can contain text, shapes and graphics; cannot be used to display reading data; prints first when printing a report. •...
ORKING WITH ISCOMETER DATA 3. In the Report Window, click on My Reports tab and then select the report from the Reports drop-down list. 4. Click on a thumbnail of a report on the left side of the Report Window to view an individual page of the report.
SING DOCUMENTS AND IMAGES • Sent via e-mail as an attachment Click the appropriate button in the Report Window and follow the standard Windows instructions which follow. 21 USING DOCUMENTS AND IMAGES Use ViscosityMaster to store your test notes, reports, spreadsheets and all your other test information.
HE PAGE DESIGNER 22 THE PAGE DESIGNER This section describes how to use the Page Designer - a utility built in to ViscosityMaster which allows you to create your reports: • Designing a Page • The Property Editor • The Text Editor 1.
HE PAGE DESIGNER 22.1 Designing a Page The contents of a page are ‘Objects’ such as shapes, memos, readings, etc. To add an object to the page, choose the object in the Object Picker Window (1), move the cursor to the Page Layout Window (5) and then click and drag the object to the required size.
HE PAGE DESIGNER 22.2 The Property Editor Precise control over the layout, attributes and content of an object is obtained by modifying the properties of the object using the Property Editor. Object properties which are adjustable using the Property Editor are listed below. The list of properties available depends upon the type of object selected (shape, memo, graphic, overview chart, etc.): Property...
HE PAGE DESIGNER Property Description Defines name of object. Object names are displayed Name: in Object Selector Window. PageWidth (mm): Defines width of the page in mm. PageHeight (mm): Defines height of the page in mm. PageType: Defines page type; Opening, Inner or Closing. PageOrientation: Portrait (default) or Landscape.
Information added in header when creating a New Batch 23 SUPPORT For support with this software, information on the Elcometer product range and details of your local supplier, contact any of the Elcometer offices worldwide. Contact details can be found under ‘Help’...
NDEX 24 INDEX Accessories Guard (for spindles) Overview Adaptor for helical movement Adaptor for low viscosity samples Helical movement adaptor Adaptor for small sample volume Spares Assembly (of Viscometer) Help ViscosityMaster 32, 51 Batch Creating Images, in ViscosityMaster Inner pages (ViscosityMaster) Interfaces Running Keypad...
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NDEX Printer, thermal Standards Printing Stopping the motor Printing Mode Printing test results Problems with measurements (Viscometer) Technical specifications Temperature (high) Processes, setting up (RV2) Temperature units, selecting Property editor (designing reports) Thermal printer Spares Time and Date Report page designing (ViscosityMaster) 48 Troubleshooting 13, 26 Rotation speed...