Hokuto CA/300 Large-Platform Optical Contact Angle Analyzer
| Brand | Hokuto Instruments (HOKUTOcn) |
|---|---|
| Origin | Guangdong, China |
| Manufacturer Type | OEM Manufacturer |
| Product Category | Domestic |
| Model | CA/300 |
| Instrument Type | Benchtop Video-Based Optical Contact Angle Meter |
| Contact Angle Range | 0° < θ < 180° |
| Contact Angle Accuracy | ±0.1° |
| Contact Angle Resolution | 0.001° |
| Standard Sample Stage Size | 300 × 300 mm (customizable up to 1000 × 1000 mm) |
| Maximum Sample Dimensions | 300 mm (W) × ∞ (L) × 50 mm (H), customizable |
| Surface/Interfacial Tension Range | 0.1–2000 mN/m |
| Surface/Interfacial Tension Accuracy | ±0.01 mN/m |
| Surface/Interfacial Tension Resolution | 0.001 mN/m |
Overview
The Hokuto CA/300 Large-Platform Optical Contact Angle Analyzer is a precision-engineered benchtop instrument designed for quantitative characterization of solid surface wettability and interfacial thermodynamics via optical drop shape analysis. It operates on the fundamental principle of sessile drop and pendant drop methodologies—capturing high-fidelity silhouettes of liquid droplets deposited on or suspended from solid substrates, then applying rigorous geometric and physical models (e.g., Young-Laplace equation fitting, ellipse/circle/B-Snake contour algorithms) to extract contact angle, surface energy components, and interfacial tension values. Its defining architectural feature is the modular large-format sample stage—standardized at 300 × 300 mm and scalable to 1000 × 1000 mm—enabling direct measurement of oversized, non-portable, or irregularly shaped industrial specimens without sectioning or sampling bias. This capability addresses critical gaps in quality control for flat-panel displays, automotive glazing, architectural glass, flexible electronics substrates, and roll-to-roll coated materials where edge effects, macro-scale heterogeneity, and dimensional constraints render conventional micro-stage systems inadequate.
Key Features
- Modular large-platform architecture with standard 300 × 300 mm aluminum alloy stage; optional customization to 400 × 400 mm, 500 × 500 mm, 600 × 600 mm, 800 × 800 mm, or 1000 × 1000 mm configurations.
- High-resolution imaging subsystem: Sony 1/2.7″ global-shutter CMOS sensor (1280 × 1024), coupled with a 0.7×–4.5× motorized zoom lens and Japanese CCS monochromatic blue LED cold backlight (465 nm, 50,000 h lifetime), ensuring minimal thermal perturbation of droplet morphology.
- Dual-droplet delivery options: CA/300A (motorized precision syringe pump, 0.01 µL resolution, 60 mm Z-travel) or CA/300M (manual micrometer-driven, 0.1 µL resolution, 25 mm Z-travel); compatible with stainless steel (0.5 mm), hydrophobic (0.25 mm), and specialty needles.
- Three-axis manual stage (X/Y: ±300 mm, Z: ±30 mm) with 0.1 mm mechanical resolution and integrated XY digital level for precise specimen leveling and tilt compensation.
- CA V2.0 software suite supporting static/dynamic contact angle analysis (advancing/receding/hysteresis angles), surface energy decomposition (OWRK, Fowkes, Acid-Base, Wu harmonic mean), interfacial tension calculation (pendant/sessile drop), and wetting thermodynamics (adhesion work, spreading coefficient, adhesion tension).
- Compliance-ready data management: audit trail logging, user role-based access control (operator/administrator tiers), electronic signature support, and export to PDF/Excel/Word formats—designed to align with GLP, GMP, and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 documentation requirements.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The CA/300 accommodates rigid and semi-rigid planar samples up to 300 mm wide and 50 mm thick, with unlimited length—ideal for continuous web materials, laminated composites, or extruded profiles. Its open-stage design permits in situ testing of mounted components (e.g., display modules, sensor arrays, coated metal sheets). The system supports standardized test protocols including ASTM D5725 (wettability of sheet materials), ASTM C813 (hydrophobic contamination on glass), ISO 1409 (surface tension of polymer dispersions), ISO 6295 (oil-water interfacial tension), DIN 55660 (wetting behavior of coatings), and OECD 115 (aqueous solution surface tension). All measurements are traceable to NIST-calibrated reference liquids, and software-generated reports include metadata (timestamp, operator ID, instrument serial number, environmental conditions) required for regulatory submissions.
Software & Data Management
CA V2.0 is a proprietary Windows 10 (64-bit) application developed in-house by Hokuto Instruments and registered with China’s National Copyright Administration. It implements sub-pixel edge detection, real-time three-phase contact line recognition, and adaptive baseline correction—even for tilted or warped substrates. Batch video analysis enables automated dynamic contact angle tracking across hundreds of frames, while the embedded database contains 37 pre-characterized probe liquids with full physicochemical parameters (surface tension, polar/dispersive components). Users may extend the library with custom liquids and define multi-step measurement workflows. Data integrity is enforced through encrypted local storage, version-controlled method templates, and immutable audit logs recording every parameter change, image acquisition event, and result export action—fully satisfying ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, Available).
Applications
The CA/300 serves as a core analytical tool across R&D and QC laboratories in optics manufacturing (anti-reflective/oleophobic coating validation), semiconductor packaging (underfill adhesion assessment), medical device development (polymer biocompatibility screening), battery electrode fabrication (slurry wettability optimization), textile finishing (water-repellency grading), and pharmaceutical film coating (tablet surface uniformity evaluation). Its large-stage configuration is particularly valuable for validating plasma treatment uniformity across full-size touch panels, assessing cleaning efficacy on automotive windshields, quantifying inkjet printability on flexible OLED backplanes, and characterizing hydrophobicity gradients on functionalized membranes used in water purification.
FAQ
What is the maximum sample thickness supported by the CA/300?
The standard configuration accepts samples up to 50 mm in height; custom Z-axis extensions are available upon request.
Can the system measure dynamic contact angles on moving substrates?
No—the CA/300 is optimized for static and quasi-static measurements on stationary samples. Dynamic analysis refers to advancing/receding angle determination via controlled volume addition/removal, not substrate motion.
Is the software compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 for regulated industries?
Yes—CA V2.0 includes electronic signatures, audit trails, and role-based permissions configured to meet FDA requirements for electronic records and signatures.
Does the instrument support interfacial tension measurement between immiscible liquids?
Yes—using the pendant drop method, it measures oil-water, polymer-melt, or surfactant solution interfacial tensions within the 0.1–2000 mN/m range.
Are calibration certificates provided with the system?
Each unit ships with a factory calibration report referencing traceable standards; NIST-traceable recalibration services are available through authorized Hokuto service centers.
