Labthink CHY-C2A Laboratory Contact-Type Thickness Tester for Paper, Film, and Thin Materials

Overview

The Labthink CHY-C2A is a precision benchtop thickness tester engineered for repeatable, standardized mechanical contact measurement of planar thin materials under controlled compressive load. It operates on the principle of displacement sensing via a calibrated linear encoder mounted on a vertically actuated measuring head, applying a defined pressure over a fixed-area anvil to compress the specimen to its equilibrium thickness—reflecting both bulk compressibility and geometric thickness in accordance with international gravimetric and dimensional standards. Designed specifically for quality control laboratories in packaging, paper & board manufacturing, flexible electronics, and regulatory testing facilities, the CHY-C2A delivers traceable, operator-independent measurements compliant with ISO, ASTM, TAPPI, JIS, and GB methodologies. Its dual-pressure/dual-contact-area configuration enables method-specific alignment with material class requirements—e.g., low-load 17.5 kPa/50 mm² for delicate polymer films and high-load 50 kPa/200 mm² for fibrous paper substrates—ensuring metrological validity across heterogeneous sample sets.

Key Features

• Microprocessor-controlled vertical actuation system with programmable dwell time and automatic head retraction to eliminate manual loading variability
• Two preconfigured measurement modes: film mode (17.5 ± 1 kPa, 50 mm² contact area) and paper mode (50 ± 1 kPa, 200 mm² contact area), switchable via menu interface
• High-resolution linear encoder with 0.1 µm resolution and full-scale range options (0–2 mm standard; 0–6 mm or 0–12 mm available upon request)
• Real-time statistical computation: displays mean, min, max, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation for each test batch
• Integrated calibration routine using NIST-traceable stainless-steel standard blocks (included); supports periodic verification per ISO/IEC 17025 internal audit requirements
• RS232 serial interface compliant with ANSI/TIA/EIA-232-F for bidirectional communication with external PCs or LIMS systems
• LCD display with intuitive menu navigation, multilingual support (English, Chinese), and tactile PVC keypad for glove-compatible operation
• Modular hardware architecture enabling field-upgradable components including interchangeable anvils, load cells, and pressure modules

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The CHY-C2A accommodates flat, non-porous, and moderately compressible sheet materials within defined dimensional limits: maximum lateral dimension ≤ 300 mm × 300 mm; minimum thickness ≥ 10 µm; maximum thickness ≤ 12 mm (with extended range option). Validated applications include uncoated and coated papers (e.g., copy paper, newsprint, linerboard), corrugated medium, plastic films (BOPP, PET, PE), metallic foils (Al, Cu), battery separator membranes, silicon wafers (≤ 1 mm), and laminated composites. All test protocols adhere strictly to the mechanical contact geometry and force tolerances specified in ISO 4593 (plastic film), ISO 534 (paper and board), ASTM D374 (electrical insulating materials), and TAPPI T411 (paper thickness at constant pressure). The instrument’s pressure delivery system is independently verified using dead-weight calibration rigs traceable to national metrology institutes, satisfying GLP documentation requirements for regulated environments.

Software & Data Management

The CHY-C2A interfaces natively with Labthink’s Lystem™ Laboratory Data Sharing System—a secure, role-based platform supporting 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic records, audit trails, user access controls, and automated report generation. Raw measurement data—including timestamp, operator ID, environmental conditions (if linked to optional hygrometer/thermometer), and statistical summaries—is stored in encrypted SQLite databases with configurable retention policies. Export formats include CSV, PDF, XML, and Excel-compatible .xlsx, enabling integration with enterprise QMS (e.g., TrackWise, MasterControl) and statistical process control (SPC) tools. Optional dedicated PC software provides advanced features such as SPC charting (X̄-R, Cpk), multi-instrument fleet monitoring, and custom test method templates aligned with internal SOPs or customer-specific protocols.

Applications

• Quality assurance of paper grammage consistency through correlated thickness-density profiling
• Validation of calendering and supercalendering process parameters in paper mills
• Thickness uniformity mapping of extruded polymer films prior to metallization or coating
• Regulatory submission testing for medical device packaging per ISO 11607-1
• Comparative analysis of compression-set behavior between virgin and recycled fiber grades
• In-process thickness verification of lithium-ion battery separators during slitting and winding
• Supplier qualification audits requiring third-party traceable thickness data per IATF 16949 clause 8.4.1.2

FAQ

What standards does the CHY-C2A comply with?
The instrument meets the mechanical design, pressure application, and dimensional accuracy requirements of ISO 4593, ISO 534, ASTM D374, ASTM D1777, TAPPI T411, GB/T 6672, and 12 additional national and industry standards listed in the technical documentation.
Can the CHY-C2A measure curved or textured surfaces?
No—it is designed exclusively for flat, rigid-to-semi-rigid planar specimens. Curved, embossed, or highly irregular surfaces introduce uncontrolled contact deformation and violate standardized test geometry assumptions.
Is calibration verification required before each test session?
While daily verification using the supplied standard block is recommended for GLP compliance, full recalibration by an accredited service provider is required annually or after any impact event, per ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 6.5.
Does the system support networked data export to a central LIMS?
Yes—via RS232-to-Ethernet gateways or direct TCP/IP integration using Lystem™’s API, enabling real-time data ingestion into validated laboratory information management systems.
What maintenance intervals are recommended?
Mechanical inspection and lubrication of the vertical drive mechanism every 6 months; annual load cell linearity check and encoder zero-point validation; biannual cleaning of optical path and contact surfaces with isopropyl alcohol and lint-free wipes.