plastics testing: increasing laboratory efficiency & throughput
DESCRIPTION
The following slides suggest ways labs could operate more efficiently when analyzing plastics, including set up times and test methods.TRANSCRIPT
INCREASING LABORATORY EFFICIENCY & THROUGHPUT
How much time can you gain?
TYPES OF SETUPS
IDEALTYPICAL
• Pneumatic grips with alignment aids
• Integrated micrometer
• AutoX750 extensometer
• Manual wedge grips
• Micrometer + calculator
• Clip-on extensometer
THE CYCLE TIME FORMULA
Fixed Times
Variable with different setups
DIMENSIONAL MEASUREMENT
SPECIMEN REMOVAL
EXTENSOMETER ATTACHMENT
TEST TIME
EXTENSOMETER REMOVAL
SPECIMEN INSERTION
+CYCLE TIME
Integrated vs. Manual
Automatic vs. Manual
Time to Install Correctly & Grip Closing
Automatic vs. Manual
Grip Opening
=
THE DIFFERENCES
DIMENSIONAL MEASUREMENT
SPECIMEN INSERTION/ REMOVAL
EXTENSOMETER ATTACHMENT/
REMOVAL
• 6 measurements/specimen
• ~42 keystrokes/specimen10 TESTS = 420 KEY STROKES
• Time spent aligning by eye
• Grip closing time is longer
INCREASED USER INTERACTION
• Time spent aligning by eye
• Time to pause test to remove
• 6 measurements/specimen
• ~7 keystrokes/specimen10 TESTS = 70 KEY STROKES
• Specimen inserted quickly and easily with alignment devices
• Grips close quickly
• Attaches aligned every test
• Automatically removes without pausing
MINIMIZED USER INTERACTION
THE EXPERIMENT
Specimen Installation/ Removal
SpecimenMeasurement
Test Time With Extensometer Removal
Minutes 1 2 3 4
IDEAL SETUP
TYPICAL SETUP
5 s
40 s
5 s
50 s
30 s
90 s
30 s
45 s
> 50% FASTER!Total Cycle Time: 95 seconds
Total Cycle Time: 200 seconds
THROUGHPUT
TESTS PER DAY
TYPICAL SETUP IDEAL SETUP TIME
SAVINGS
50 167 min 79 min 87 min
100 333 min 158 min 175 min
200 667 min 316 min 350 min
300 1000 min 475 min 525 min
In 1 year, that’s 377 hours of time saved
(That’s 15 full days of holiday!)
EFFICIENCY IN SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS
Multiple Users
Some changes can be made quickly and easily to existing Bluehill® test methods to
• Decrease individual test time• Minimize downtime between tests• Allow for extra time spent on more value-added
tasks
Multiple Materials
Multiple Inputs
CAN COST $£€
CHOICE INPUTS
• Consistent entries• Fewer spelling mistakes and incorrect
inputs• Easier to sort data post-test• Fewer corrections
• Saves time
PROMPTED METHODS
• Optimal for a multiple-operator environment• Consistent entries• Consistent test flow from operator to operator• Customizable for different tests
• Prompt before sample, before specimen, after specimen, after sample, etc.
OTHERS…Preconfigured Test Methods
Bluehill Application Modules come with a variety of pre-made test methods to
quickly get you off the ground.
E.g. Plastics Module: ASTM D638, ASTM D790, ISO 527-2, 3, ISO 178, ISO 604,
and others
One Click Testing
An Automatic Air Control Kit (footswitch with
2 pedals) communicates with the frame and software to allow you to
automatically begin a test when the pneumatic grips close.
Audio Prompts
Play a wave file at different moments throughout the test to notify the
operator that an action has taken place
(e.g. remove extensometer, test ended).
TIME SAVINGS
COST
EFFECTIVENESS
SOFTWARE
MODS
PNEUMATIC GRIPS
INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT
AUTOMATIC EXTENSOMETRY
FULL AUTOMATION
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!
Please contact your local Instron® Sales Representative
with any questions.