Offer of R&D Services – Catalogue of Equipment and Methods

Colour measurement (Spectrophotometer CM-2500c)

The CM-2500c is best suited for colour measurement of samples such as automotive interior parts, coil coatings, plastics, paint, packaging, and raw materials. The 45/0 viewing optics correlates closely with visual perception of objects.

Thermographic analysis of polymer fabrication processes (Infrared camera FLIR T 425)

IR camera is used to evaluate thermal dynamic processes such as thermal field of a plastic part after ejection from a mold, change of temperature of a plastic part after ejection, in limited scale measurement of temperature field of a mold or injection machine periphery. It can be also used to evaluate quality of welding lines of plastic parts for high-frequency welding, ultrasonic welding, vibratory or rotary welding.
The FLIR T425 offers an outstanding solution for professional thermographers conducting electrical and mechanical inspections. The camera measures temperatures up to 1200ºC and is jammed with useful features such as instant reports, periodic storage and digital camera video recording.

Specifications:

IR resolution	320 x 240 points
Thermal sensitivity	< 0.05°C at +30°C
Image frequency	9 Hz
Temperature range	-20 to 1200°C
Text and voice annotations	yes (Bluetooth)
Periodic Storage	yes
Picture in picture	yes

Off-line thickness measurement (Yamabun TOF-5R)

Off-line quick and easy thickness measuring system includes a personal computer used to process the measurement data. The thickness trend graph and the histogram is displayed with Yamabun software.

Specifications:

Materials	Film
Measurement range	0.02 – 0.2 mm
Measurement length	10 – 11,998 mm
Repeatability	± 2 μm or less (resolution ±0,1 μm)
Accuracy (sensor only)	Resolution: 0.1 μm Directions precision (for 20°C): 0.8 ± 0.1 μm Pushed pressure: 0.3 ± 0.01 N
Measurement pitch	1 mm
Ambient temperature	5 - 40°C
Humidity	30 - 80% （no condensation）

Retroreflective materials testing (Multi-geometry handheld retroreflectometer - Model 932)

Retroreflectometer measures all types of retroreflective materials with a single measurement. The RoadVista model 932 is a handheld retroreflectometer designed for use in the field or in a laboratory or QA/QC environment. It is designed to fully characterize the retroreflection and retroreflected night-time color of road signs, high visibility safety clothing and other materials.

Tension and compression measurement (Digital force and torque gauges Mecmesins - Model AFG)

The Advanced Force Gauge (AFG) is versatile and fully-featured digital force gauge. It can be used hand-held or fixed to a manual or motorised test stand and for added flexibility the AFG is able to recognise data from a range of external "Smart" force and torque sensors, so it could be used as a universal display for remote applications.

Rheological properties measurement (Viscometer Brookfiled DV2TRV)

The DV2T Viscometer features a 5-inch color display to guide users through test creation and data gathering for fast and easy viscosity measurements. The DV2T also offers powerful new programming capabilities and results analysis including data averaging and QC limits with alarms.

Specifications:

Viscosity range	25 – 40x106 mPa.s
Temperature range	5 – 150°C
Speed range	0.1 – 200 RPM
According standards	ASTM D4287, ISO 2884, BS 3900 incl. ISO 2555

Flammability determination (Dynisco Limiting Oxygen Index chamber LOI)

The advanced LOI Limiting Oxygen Index Chamber accurately determines the relative flammability of plastics and other materials. It conforms to ASTM D2863 and ISO 4589-1, ISO 4589-2 standards and provides a means for safely determining the relative flammability of materials by measuring the minimum oxygen concentration that will support combustion. The test specimens are burned in a precisely controlled atmosphere of nitrogen and oxygen. The operator adjusts the supply gases and uses the flowmeter readings to calculate the oxygen index.

Melt flow index measurement (Dynisco Melt Flow Indexer LMI 5000)

Laboratory equipment LMI is capable of delivering a wide range of data that includes not only melt index values, but also shear stress, shear rate, viscosity and apparent melt density, as well as testing conditions. Performance meets international standards ASTM D1238 & D3364, ISO 1133, BS2782, DIN 53735, JIS K7210.

Rapid Prototyping – parts, prototypes and 3D models creation (3D printers: 3d-UP a Creatr XL)

3d-UP
3D printer creates 3D models directly from software supporting *STL files.

Creatr XL (eqipped with dual extruders)
The Creatr XL is by standard equipped with dual extruders. This gives customers the possibilities to print with two colors, or two types of materials. For example: using one extruder for PLA and the other extruder to create a water soluble support structure with PVA. Because of these benefits all Creatr XL 3D printers are equipped with dual extruders.

Specifications:

Size of print	230 x 270 x 600 mm
Material	ABS, PA, PLA, PVA
Software	Simplify3D

3D digitizing of components (3D scanner ATOS Compact Scan 5M)

The ATOS Compact Scan represents a new class of scanner for 3D measurement and inspection. The lightweight, compact construction opens new application areas and ensures ultimate adaptability for 3-dimensional measuring of components such as casted and injection molded parts, forms and models, interiors, prototypes, design models, ... The advanced hardware is combined with completely integrated, powerful software for scanning and inspection. The ATOS software is used to run the sensor head, to process the 3D point cloud and to edit and post-process the data. The simple graphical user interface helps support today's demanding tasks in quality control, manufacturing processes and reverse engineering.

Processing of the 3D measurements results (PC Triline Integra 3D CAD SolidWorks)

3D modelling software used to create 3D models of given objects.

Computed tomography - Non-invasive 3D imaging technique (Tomographic station - software VG StudioMAX 2.2)

By means of tomography it is possible to look into things easily without the necessity of physical cuts. This way, properties such as porosity or fibre orientation of polymer products can be examined.

Specifications (CT CEITEC):

max. sample size	(Ø 500 x 800) mm
max. sample weight	50 kg
max. resolution	2 048 x 2 048 x 2 048 voxels

Climatic testing (Climatic chamber Angelantoni Discovery DY 250)

Testing chamber designed for climatic examination according standards (ČSN, ISO, IEC or special rules VW PV 1200). It can be used for testing of wide range of specimen including automotive and electrical parts as well as plastic products and parts for construction industry.

Specifications:

Useful capacity	226 l
Internal dimensions	601 x 545 x 692 mm (w x d x h)
Temperature range	-40 to +180°C

Machining centre for prototype moulds/tools preparation (MAS Kovosvit 3-axis vertical machining centre MCV 1000 SPRINT)

Vertical milling centre is used to prepare prototype moulds and tools for various industry segments. The MCV series machines are erected on a C-shaped supporting frame. Both configurations and profiles of the machine supporting frame castings are optimized with regard to the requirements for high rigidity and stability. Application of the linear guide in all the linear axes guarantees the required accuracy and dynamics in the machining process.

Specifications:

Working range X/Y/Z	1016 x 610 x 720 mm
Clamping surface	1300 x 670 mm
Max. weight on table	1200 kg
Spindle cone HSK	A63
Max. spindle speed	18000 min-1

Testing of the physical foaming of polymers (Promix Foam System A1)

Laboratory equipment for physical foaming of polymers (e.g. PP, LDPE, HDPE, PS, ABS etc.) is based on special configuration of static mixer (having 12 positions of gas injection). It allows high homogenisation of the melt and leads to superior foam products.

Specifications:

Capacity	100 – 200 kg/h
Max melt temperature	300 °C
Max melt pressure	250 bar
Installation length	850 – 1500 mm

Processing unit for plastic waste disintegration

The research activities of the Department of Production Engineering at the Faculty of Technology, Tomas Bata University in Zlín cover an extensive range of the specialization of processing polymer materials. The Department is relatively well equipped with devices, instruments and computing facilities enabling and facilitating the solution of a whole range of problems. The research activities are currently especially oriented on the following areas:

• designing and dimensioning of the polymer and composite parts with polymer matrices,
• modelling of the mechanical behaviour and structural analysis of products from polymer materials and composites with polymer matrices,
• construction of tools for polymer processing (injection molds, extrusion head...), flow simulation of polymer melts,
• simulation of behaviour of polymers (Moldflow, Cadmould, Virtual Extrusion Laboratory),
• scanning of fast processes by high – speed camera,
• contact and non – contact methods of scanning the surfaces and shapes,
• use of modern technologies (rapid prototyping...) in the construction of tools for polymer processing,
• machining and wear of polymers, composites with polymer matrices and metals,
• microhardness test for metals and polymers,
• manufacturing fiberglass and carbon laminates of polyester and epoxy resins, hand lay – up method and the method of vacuum infusion lamination, production of sandwich structures with different layers of honeycomb and support, prepreg technology, testing of mechanical and thermal properties of composites,
• PIM technology – injection moulding of metallic and ceramic powders,
• study of energy consumption (dielectric heating, optimization of mixing process), modification of polymer properties,
• study of polymer structure and morphology (X – ray diffraction: crystalinity, crystal size and its orientation in semicrystaline polymers, polymer morphology by electron microscopy and diffraction, polymer thermal characteristic by differential scanning calorimetry,
• electro- and magneto-rheological suspensions (intelligent systems changing their stiffness according to the external electric or magnetic field),
• metal and polymer cutting (conventional, non-conventional and finishing methods),
• laser micromachining of polymeric materials.

Research activities of Department of Polymer Engineering at the Faculty of Technology, Tomas Bata University in Zlín are focused on various areas of polymer processing and study of qualities and performance of polymer materials. The department is equipped with instruments, machines and computer technology enabling sophisticated research. The main research comprises:

• study of polymer/clay nanocomposite systems from the point of view of intercalation theory (preparation, intercalation, compoundation; porrelation between properties and mechanisms of processes; study of nanosystems structure and its application),
• study of correlation between processing conditions, structure and properties of polymer systems,
• study of extrusion process and unstable flow of polymeric materials,
• study of properties of composites with polymer matrix,
• thermomechanical analysis of polymer systems.

Centre of Polymer Systems is the title of a new workplace which will come into existence thanks to the Centre of Polymer Systems project funded by the European Union and the state budget of the Czech Republic. The Centre will focus on applied polymer research and will provide linkage of academic and commercial spheres. The Centre is the right place for you offering a wide range of cooperation possibilities, such as:

• implementation of contract research according to your requirements,
• implementation of mutual/common research, development and innovation projects,
• solving of technical and technological problems of practice,
• elaborating of analyses and expert studies,
• optimizing of technological processes,
• advisory and consulting activity,
• use of modern machines and equipment,
• technological transfer,
• knowledge and expertise exchange through seminars, workshops and conferences,
• implementation of special trainings.

R&D activity of the Centre of Polymer Systems is provided by the quality research team and is divided into two research programmes, namely Processing of progressive polymer systems and Advanced polymer composite systems. Both CPS research programmes are based in common material basis of macromolecular compounds. The common knowledge base is linked with common technical background, methodological procedures and inputs of specialists of various or follow-up sections (specialists in area of polymers processes, materials, natural science, biology, industrial design, process management, economic analyses etc.)

Broad menu of available R&D infrastructure includes not only equipment for mechanical operations, mixing, conditioning, thermal treatment and surface modifications, but also wide range of instruments for various analyses (electric and magnetic properties of materials, mechanical properties, density, molecular mass, gas permeability, volumetric analysis, surface properties, particle size distribution, rheology, imaging, spectroscopy, elemental analysis, separation methods/chromatography, thermal analysis, biology) as well as technological machines for processing of plastics (extrusion/co-extrusion, compounders, injection moulding). For complete equipment list, pls see http://www.cps.utb.cz/en/science-research/equipment.

CEITEC (the Central European Institute of Technology) is a unique research centre focusing primarily on the fields of life sciences, advanced materials and nanotechnologies. Since its establishment in 2011, CEITEC has quickly developed into a cutting-edge infrastructure for research which performs highly alongside the best institutes in Europe. Among the main priorities of CEITEC are the promotion of a motivating and dynamic international scientific environment, the provision of state-of-the-art research infrastructure, and the policy of open communication and equal opportunities. More information on www.ceitec.eu/.

Laboratory of X-ray Micro and Nano Computed Tomography of Materials Characterization and Advanced Coatings research group is a part of the Advanced Nanotechnologies and Microtechnologies research program. The development of µCT techniques in the research group started in 2005 with the co-operation with synchrotron Elettra, Trieste, Italy. The µCT lab is equipped with state of the art µCT stations GE v|tome|x L 240 and Rigaku nano3DX (available from October, 2014) is in full operation since September, 2012. Beside use of these non-destructive imaging techniques for 3D analyses will our lab focus on combination of micro- and nanoradiography and μCT, nanoCT techniques with other analytical approaches, e.g. with Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for high-resolution elemental mapping. More information available on ctlab.ceitec.cz/.

CT measurement – Tomographic data analysis options:

• Porosity/Inclusion analysis and analysis according to P 201/VW 50097
• Coordinate measurement
• Wall thickness analysis
• Nominal/Actual comparison
• Fiber composite material analysis
• Foam structure analysis

The list of equipment of the Laboratory of X-ray Micro and Nano Computed Tomography is available on ctlab.ceitec.cz/equipment/.

CEITEC contact person:

• prof. Ing. Jozef Kaiser, Ph.D., jozef.kaiser@ceitec.vutbr.cz, +420 541 149 700
• Ing. Tomáš Zikmund, Ph.D., tomas.zikmund@ceitec.vutbr.cz, +420 541 142 846

Additional information can be found on ctlab.ceitec.cz/.