Elastocon EV 01 Digital Thickness Gauge and Compression Set Tester

Overview

The Elastocon EV 01 is a precision-engineered digital thickness gauge and compression set tester designed specifically for elastomeric materials, thermoplastics, and flexible polymer sheets in quality control and R&D laboratories. It operates on the principle of controlled mechanical displacement measurement under defined static load conditions, adhering strictly to the dimensional metrology requirements outlined in ISO 23529:2016 (“Rubber — General procedures for preparing and conditioning test pieces”) and the compression set methodology specified in ISO 815:2019 (“Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic — Determination of compression set at ambient, elevated or low temperature”). Unlike generic calipers or micrometers, the EV 01 integrates a rigid, height-adjustable base assembly with calibrated mass loading capability, ensuring consistent contact pressure and minimized operator-induced variability across repeated measurements.

Key Features

• High-resolution digital display with 1 µm (0.001 mm) resolution and automatic zero stabilization, minimizing parallax and reading errors.
• Modular mechanical architecture featuring a hardened steel measuring base, precision-ground anvil, and vertically adjustable crossbeam—engineered for long-term dimensional stability and repeatability (±0.002 mm over 10,000 cycles).
• Included 10 mm certified reference spacer (traceable to Swedish National Metrology Institute, SP Technical Research Institute), enabling rapid verification and on-site calibration checks per ISO 9001 internal audit requirements.
• Optional EC 01.04 interface kit provides bi-directional RS-232 or USB connectivity, supporting real-time data streaming to Windows-based host systems; includes footswitch for hands-free triggering during high-throughput testing.
• Load application system compatible with standardized test weights (e.g., 1 kg, 2.5 kg, 5 kg) as required by ISO 815 Annex A for compression set specimens—ensuring compliance with prescribed surface pressure (e.g., 0.5 MPa, 1.0 MPa).

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The EV 01 accommodates flat, non-porous specimens up to 150 mm × 150 mm in planar dimension and up to 25 mm in nominal thickness. It is validated for use with vulcanized rubber compounds (NR, SBR, EPDM, CR), thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), silicone elastomers, polyurethane foams (closed-cell only), and textile-reinforced composites. All mechanical components comply with ISO 17025:2017 traceability requirements when used with accredited calibration services. The instrument supports full audit trail functionality when paired with EC 02 software under FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant configuration (electronic signatures, user access levels, change logs). Test reports generated meet GLP and ISO/IEC 17025 documentation standards for third-party accreditation submissions.

Software & Data Management

EC 02 software (v3.2+) serves as the central platform for method definition, automated test sequencing, and regulatory-grade data handling. Users define specimen IDs, test parameters (load, dwell time, temperature condition flags), and pass/fail tolerances prior to execution. Raw thickness values and compression set calculations (% deformation recovery) are timestamped, stored in encrypted .csv and proprietary .ec2 binary formats, and exportable to LIMS or ERP systems via ODBC drivers. Statistical outputs include mean, standard deviation, Cp/Cpk indices, X-bar & R charts, and linear trend analysis across batch runs. Audit logs record all user actions—including method edits, result overrides, and calibration events—with immutable timestamps and operator credentials.

Applications

• Quality assurance of extruded rubber profiles, molded gaskets, and automotive sealing systems per OEM specifications (e.g., Ford WSS-M99P1111-A, GM GMW15634).
• Validation of curing process consistency through thickness uniformity mapping across production lots.
• Accelerated aging studies requiring periodic thickness monitoring under thermal or UV exposure protocols.
• Compression set evaluation of O-rings, bushings, and vibration isolators under ASTM D395 Method B or ISO 815 Type A/B configurations.
• Supporting ISO 10993-12 extractables testing by verifying specimen thickness prior to immersion assays.

FAQ

Does the EV 01 require annual recalibration?
Yes—Elastocon recommends annual recalibration against certified reference standards in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 guidelines; certificates include measurement uncertainty budgets.
Can EC 02 software be validated for GMP environments?
Yes—software validation packages (IQ/OQ/PQ documentation, test scripts, and UAT templates) are available upon request for regulated pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing sites.
Is the 10 mm spacer supplied with NIST-traceable calibration data?
The spacer is certified by SP Technical Research Institute (Sweden); full calibration certificate with uncertainty statement (k=2) is provided with each instrument shipment.
What is the maximum specimen weight the base can support during compression set tests?
The base structure supports specimens up to 5 kg without deflection; total system load capacity (including weights) is 10 kg.
Does the EV 01 meet RoHS and CE marking requirements?
Yes—the instrument carries CE marking per EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and complies with RoHS 2011/65/EU restrictions on hazardous substances.