Brookfield Engineering Labs., Inc.
Page 90
Manual No. M13-167-A0415
Appendix A - Cone/Plate Rheometer Set-Up
This Cone/Plate version of the DV3T uses the same operating instruction procedures as described
in this manual. However, the “gap” between the cone and the plate must be verified/adjusted before
measurements are made. This is done by moving the plate (built into the sample cup) up towards the
cone until the pin in the center of the cone touches the surface of the plate, and then by separating
(lowering) the plate 0.0005 inch (0.013 mm).
When operating the Cone/Plate at elevated temperature, the gap must be set with the cup and spindle
equilibrated at the temperature recommended. Maximum temperature for Cone/Plate operation is 80ºC.
Maximum operational temperature of sample cup is 100
ºC. Personal protection is recommended when
controlling to temperatures above 80ºC.
Note
: Micrometer Adjustment Ring will become hot when controlling sample
cup at temperatures above 50ºC.
Programmable DV3T Cone/Plate Rheometers, S/N 50969 and higher, have an Electronic Gap Setting
feature. This feature enables the user to easily find the 0.0005 inch gap setting that was established at
Brookfield prior to shipment.
Brookfield recommends that the maximum particle size in the sample material for measurement with
cone/plate geometry be less than 5 times the gap settings. A more conservative approach is to limit the
maximum particle size to less than 10 times the gap setting.
The following information explains how to set the Electronic Gap and verify calibration of the DV3T
Rheometer.
A.1 Electronic Gap Setting Features
TOGGLE SWITCH
allows you to enable/disable the
Electronic Gap Setting Feature: left position is OFF
(disabled), right position is ON (enabled).
PILOT LIGHT
is the red (LED) light; when illuminated,
it means the Electronic Setting Function is sensing
(enabled).
Note
: Be sure the light is off before
introducing the test sample.
CONTACT LIGHT
is the yellow (LED) light; when it first
turns on, the “hit point” has been found.
SLIDING REFERENCE MARKER
is used after finding the
“hit point;” it is the reference for establishing the
0.0005 inch gap.
MICROMETER ADJUSTMENT RING
is used to move the cup up or down in relation to the cone spindle.
Turning the ring left (clockwise) lowers the cup; turning it right (counterclockwise) raises the cup.
Each line on the ring represents one scale division and is equivalent to 0.0005 inch movement of
the plate relative to the cone.
Pilot Light
(red)
Toggle Swtich
Contact Light
(yellow)
Sliding Reference
Marker
Micrometer
Adjustment Ring
Figure A-1
