Labthink CHY-C2A Desktop Thickness Gauge for Agricultural Films and Lithium-Ion Battery Separators

Overview

The Labthink CHY-C2A Desktop Thickness Gauge is an electromechanical displacement measurement instrument engineered for high-reproducibility thickness evaluation of planar, flexible sheet materials. It operates on the principle of controlled mechanical contact: a precision-ground measuring head applies standardized pressure to the specimen surface, while a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) or high-resolution capacitive sensor captures vertical displacement with sub-micron resolution. This method ensures traceable, repeatable measurements aligned with international metrological practices for thin-film dimensional characterization. Designed specifically for quality control laboratories in packaging, battery manufacturing, agricultural plastics, and paper industries, the CHY-C2A delivers calibrated thickness data critical for material specification compliance, process validation, and incoming inspection protocols.

Key Features

• Standardized mechanical contact system with dual-pressure calibration (17.5 ± 1 kPa for polymer films; 50 ± 1 kPa for fibrous substrates such as paper), ensuring conformity with ISO, ASTM, and GB test methods.
• Automated measuring head lift mechanism eliminates operator-induced variability during sample loading and unloading—critical for GMP-aligned workflows.
• Dual operation modes: manual single-point measurement for rapid spot checks; automatic batch mode for sequential multi-location testing across a single specimen or multiple samples.
• Onboard statistical engine computes real-time metrics—including mean, minimum, maximum, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation—for immediate assessment of thickness uniformity and process capability (e.g., Cp/Cpk).
• Integrated 4.3-inch LCD touchscreen with intuitive PVC membrane keypad and menu-driven navigation enables stand-alone operation without external computing resources.
• Factory-calibrated using NIST-traceable stainless-steel reference gage blocks; supports user-performed verification and recalibration per ISO/IEC 17025 internal calibration procedures.
• RS232 serial interface compliant with EIA-232-D specifications for bidirectional communication with laboratory PCs and LIMS environments.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The CHY-C2A accommodates specimens ranging from ultra-thin lithium-ion battery separators (≥5 µm) to rigid agricultural mulch films (up to 2 mm thick), as well as paperboard, metallized foils, silicon wafers (with optional flatness adapter), and laminated composites. Its interchangeable anvil assemblies—50 mm² for film-grade softness and 200 mm² for higher compressive resistance—allow seamless transition between material classes without hardware modification. All mechanical parameters (contact area, applied load, dwell time) are preconfigured to satisfy the requirements of ISO 4593 (plastic film), ISO 534 (paper and board), ASTM D374 (electrical insulating materials), and GB/T 6672 (polymer film thickness). The instrument meets essential safety and electromagnetic compatibility criteria per IEC 61000-6-3 and IEC 61000-6-2, and its mechanical design conforms to ISO 14971 risk management principles for laboratory equipment.

Software & Data Management

When connected to a host PC, the CHY-C2A integrates natively with Labthink’s Lystem™ Laboratory Data Management System—a secure, audit-ready platform supporting 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic records. Lystem™ provides role-based access control, full audit trail logging (including operator ID, timestamp, parameter changes, and raw data edits), automated report generation (PDF/Excel), and long-term archival with SHA-256 hash integrity verification. All measurement sessions are timestamped and linked to instrument firmware version, calibration status, and environmental metadata (if external hygrometer/thermometer is connected via optional analog input). Data export formats include CSV, XML, and ASTM E1482-compliant structured test reports for regulatory submissions.

Applications

• Quality assurance of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) mulch films used in precision agriculture—verifying thickness consistency to prevent premature degradation and optimize water retention.
• In-process monitoring of ceramic-coated polyolefin separators in Li-ion battery cell production lines—ensuring uniform caliper prior to slitting and electrode lamination.
• Conformance testing of food-grade laminated pouches per FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 and EU 10/2011 regulations, where thickness directly correlates with barrier performance and seal integrity.
• Raw material acceptance testing for coated papers, release liners, and transfer films in converting operations—validating supplier specifications against purchase order tolerances.
• Research and development of novel nanocomposite membranes, where localized thickness profiling identifies coating defects, edge thinning, or die-line inconsistencies.

FAQ

What standards does the CHY-C2A comply with?
The instrument is designed and validated to meet ISO 4593, ISO 534, ASTM D374, GB/T 6672, and 12 additional national and international thickness measurement standards listed in its technical documentation.
Can the CHY-C2A measure non-planar or curved samples?
No—it is intended exclusively for flat, rigid-to-semi-flexible sheet materials. Curved, textured, or highly compressible specimens require alternative metrology methods such as optical profilometry or confocal microscopy.
Is calibration traceability provided with the instrument?
Yes. Each unit ships with a certificate of calibration referencing NIST-traceable gage blocks, accompanied by uncertainty budget documentation per ISO/IEC 17025 Annex A.
Does the system support GLP/GMP audit requirements?
Yes. With Lystem™ software enabled, the CHY-C2A provides full 21 CFR Part 11 compliance—including electronic signatures, audit trails, and data integrity safeguards required for regulated pharmaceutical and medical device environments.
What maintenance is required for long-term accuracy?
Annual verification using certified reference standards is recommended. The mechanical probe and anvil surfaces should be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol before each use; no lubrication or consumable parts are required under normal operating conditions.