Drick DRK208 Touchscreen Melt Flow Indexer for Thermoplastic Polymers
| Brand | Drick |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shandong, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Product Category | Domestic |
| Model | DRK208 |
| Price | USD 7,000 (FOB Qingdao) |
Overview
The Drick DRK208 Touchscreen Melt Flow Indexer is a precision laboratory instrument engineered for the standardized determination of melt mass flow rate (MFR) and melt volume flow rate (MVR) of thermoplastic polymers in the molten state. It operates on the fundamental principle of extrusion rheometry—applying a defined load to a polymer sample heated within a standardized barrel, then measuring either the mass of extrudate collected over a fixed time interval (Method A, per ISO 1133-1 / GB/T 3682.1–2018) or the volumetric displacement of the piston under constant load (Method B, per ISO 1133-2 / GB/T 3682.1–2018). Designed for routine quality control and material specification verification, the DRK208 delivers repeatable, traceable results essential for raw material acceptance, process validation, and product compliance in polymer manufacturing, compounding, and R&D laboratories.
Key Features
- Digital PID temperature control system with ±0.2 °C thermal stability across the operating range (100–400 °C), ensuring compliance with thermal uniformity requirements of GB/T 3682.1–2018 and ISO 1133.
- ARM-based embedded control architecture with 800 × 480 high-resolution color TFT touchscreen interface, supporting intuitive navigation, real-time parameter monitoring, and on-device data review.
- High-precision optical rotary encoder for piston displacement measurement, achieving 0.001 cm resolution—critical for accurate MVR calculation and die swell correction.
- Integrated timing module with 0.01 s resolution and automatic start/stop triggers synchronized to piston movement and cut-off events.
- Robust mechanical design featuring hardened steel barrel and die assembly, calibrated against NIST-traceable reference materials, and compliant with dimensional tolerances specified in ISO 1133 Annex A.
- Thermal safety interlocks, overtemperature cutoff, and mechanical load-limiting mechanisms ensure operator protection and equipment longevity.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The DRK208 supports standard test specimens of granules, pellets, or powder forms of polyolefins (PP, PE), engineering thermoplastics (PA, PC, ABS), and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE, TPU). It accommodates both single- and multi-step loading protocols per GB/T 3682.1–2018 Annex C. The instrument meets all dimensional, thermal, and metrological requirements of ISO 1133-1:2011, ISO 1133-2:2011, ASTM D1238 (Procedure A & B), and GB/T 3682.1–2018. Calibration certificates are provided for temperature sensor, load cell, and displacement encoder, each traceable to national metrology institutes. Full documentation supports GLP-compliant audit trails when used in regulated environments.
Software & Data Management
The onboard firmware enables local storage of up to 511 test batches, with 10 individual runs per batch—each tagged with timestamp, operator ID (optional), test method, temperature, load, and calculated MFR/MVR values. All data are stored in non-volatile memory with CRC error checking. Export is supported via USB 2.0 to CSV format for integration into LIMS or statistical process control (SPC) platforms. While no proprietary PC software is bundled, the device complies with standard serial communication protocols (RS-232 optional) for third-party automation. Audit trail functionality—including user action logging and parameter change history—is enabled by default, aligning with basic FDA 21 CFR Part 11 readiness for electronic records.
Applications
- Raw material qualification and supplier certification in polymer resin production.
- In-process monitoring during extrusion, injection molding, and blow molding operations.
- Batch-to-batch consistency verification for masterbatch and compound manufacturers.
- Research-level correlation studies between MFR/MVR and molecular weight distribution (MWD), shear viscosity, and processing behavior.
- Regulatory submission support for medical-grade polymers (e.g., ISO 10993-compliant PE/PP) and food-contact materials (FDA 21 CFR 177).
- Training and education in polymer science laboratories where ISO/GB-standardized methodology is emphasized.
FAQ
What standards does the DRK208 comply with?
It fully conforms to GB/T 3682.1–2018, ISO 1133-1:2011, ISO 1133-2:2011, and ASTM D1238 (Procedures A and B).
Can the DRK208 measure both MFR and MVR in a single test sequence?
Yes—Method A (mass-based) and Method B (volume-based) are independently selectable; MVR requires piston displacement tracking, while MFR relies on gravimetric collection.
Is calibration verification possible without external equipment?
Built-in self-diagnostic routines verify encoder linearity and temperature sensor offset; however, full metrological calibration requires certified reference materials and external mass standards.
What is the expected service life of the touchscreen interface?
Rated for ≥50,000 actuations with a display lifetime exceeding 100,000 hours under continuous operation at 25 °C ambient.
Does the system support network connectivity or remote data retrieval?
No Ethernet or Wi-Fi interface is integrated; data transfer is limited to USB mass storage mode or optional RS-232 serial output.
