DMTA specialists, rheology services, rheological sample testing, rheometers

<body BGCOLOR="FFFFFF" TEXT="000000" LINK="blue" VLINK="purple" Marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" leftmargin="0" topmargin="0"> <p align="center">About Us</p> <p><font face="Arial" color="#000080">Started in 1992 primarily as a consultant to other Rheology companies, <strong>Maple Instruments</strong> became a limited company in 1996 and has been growing every year since then. We offer an in-house <strong>sample testing</strong>, laboratory as well as a <strong>Service Department</strong> for calibration and repair of most major rheometer brands.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial" color="#000080">We offer <strong>sales</strong> of both used and new instruments as well as <strong>training</strong> both in-house and at your location.</font></p> <hr width="75%"> <p align="center"><font color="#000080" face="Arial">Service: On-Site / In House</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000080" face="Arial">In addition to <strong>DMTA</strong>s (Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysers) <strong>third-party servicing</strong> is available from Canadian and U.S. locations on most popular models of rheometers.</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000080" face="Arial">Service options include:</font></p> <blockquote> <p align="left"><font face="Arial"><img src="images/dot_small.gif" width="9" height="9"> <font color="#000080">annual preventive maintenance service and calibration contracts *<br> </font><img src="images/dot_small.gif" width="9" height="9"> <font color="#000080">emergency repairs<br> </font><img src="images/dot_small.gif" width="9" height="9"> <font color="#000080">warranty service<br> </font><img src="images/dot_small.gif" width="9" height="9"> <font color="#000080">parts replacement</font></font></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <blockquote> <p align="left"><font color="#000080" face="Arial"><strong>* </strong><em>Generally considered essential for consistent reliable product testing</em></font></p> </blockquote> </blockquote> <hr width="75%"> <p align="left">Sales: New and Used Instruments</p> <p align="left"><font face="Arial" color="#000080">A comprehensive knowledge of rheological and material test requirements gives <strong>Maple Instruments</strong> the credentials to recommend the test instrumentation most suitable to meet customers' needs.</font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Arial" color="#000080">In addition to manufacturers' warranties on new equipment, <strong>Maple Instruments</strong> can offer warranties on used instrumentation. We specialize in the following:</font></p> <blockquote> <p align="left"><img src="images/dot_small.gif" alt="dot_small.gif (118 bytes)" width="9" height="9"> <font face="Arial" color="#000080">controlled stress rheometer<br> </font><img src="images/dot_small.gif" alt="dot_small.gif (118 bytes)" width="9" height="9"> <font face="Arial" color="#000080">controlled strain rheometers<br> </font><img src="images/dot_small.gif" alt="dot_small.gif (118 bytes)" width="9" height="9"> <font face="Arial" color="#000080">solids analysers, especially DMTAs (Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysers)</font></p> </blockquote> <hr width="75%"> <p><font face="Arial" color="#000080">Training</font></p> <p><font face="Arial" color="#000080">To optimize a customer's investment in rheological instrumentation, <strong>instrument training</strong> is recommended. This typically takes 1 or 2 days and ensures that technicians become totally familiar with all aspects of a particular instrument. Training costs are based on labour and travel expenses.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial" color="#000080">Also available are teaching seminars and lectures on practical viscometry and rheology, with advanced courses available on modeling and advanced rheological measurement and data interpretation.</font></p> <hr width="75%"> <p><font face="Arial" color="#000080">Rheological Testing: Solids, Fluids, Melts</font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Arial" color="#000080">Measuring the flow behaviour and mechanical properties of materials through <strong>rheological testing</strong> provides some major benefits, for example:</font></p> <blockquote> <p align="left"><font face="Arial" color="#000080"><img src="images/dot_small.gif" alt="dot_small.gif (171 bytes)" width="9" height="9"> improved product development<br> <img src="images/dot_small.gif" alt="dot_small.gif (171 bytes)" width="9" height="9"> reduced cost of bringing a product to market<br> <img src="images/dot_small.gif" width="9" height="9"> establishing competitive product advantages</font></p> </blockquote> <p align="left"><font face="Arial" color="#000080"><strong>Maple Instruments</strong> will run your sample using the appropriate rheological instrumentation. Now you can have professional sample testing, very often within a 48-hour turnaround depending on the number of samples.</font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Arial" color="#000080">Each test includes:</font></p> <blockquote> <p align="left"><font face="Arial" color="#000080"><img src="images/dot_small.gif" width="9" height="9"> graphs showing test results and parameters<br> <img src="images/dot_small.gif" width="9" height="9"> a written report<br> <img src="images/dot_small.gif" width="9" height="9"> numerical test data</font></p> </blockquote> <hr width="75%"> <p><font face="Arial" color="#000080">Contact Us</font></p> <p><a name="Shipping"></a><img src="images/dot_small.gif" width="9" height="9"> <font color="#000080" face="Arial"><strong>Shipping your instrument to us for service?</strong></font></p> <p><font color="#000080" face="Arial">Please observe the following advice.</font></p> <b> <p><font color="#000080" face="Arial"><strong>PACKING</strong></font></b></p> <p><font color="#000080" face="Arial">Your instrument is a delicate measuring device, treat it with respect. We recommend double boxing each component that you are sending, for example, wrap the component in bubble pack and place it in a tight fitting cardboard box. Now wrap it in bubble pack again and place it in a second heavy cardboard box.</font></p> <b> <p></b><img src="images/dot_small.gif" width="9" height="9"> <b><font color="#000080" face="Arial"><strong>Shipping a DMTA measuring head?</strong></font></b></p> <p><font color="#000080" face="Arial">The head must be double boxed as described above and a stiff sample mounted in the clamps, preferably in double cantilever. If you are shipping a tensile head or combination head you must load a sample and engage the "transit clamp". This clamp is built in to the measuring head and slides into place. There are 4 bolts and 4 grub screws. The bolts prevent the assembly from moving during shipment and the grub screws prevent damage to the drive platform by limiting the amount of force from the bolts.</font></p> <p><strong><font face="Arial" color="#006666">Attention DMTA MK III users!</font></strong><font color="#000080" face="Arial"> If you are shipping the measuring head to us please engage the lock located on the front panel, this secures the moving assembly.</font></p> <b> <p></b><img src="images/dot_small.gif" width="9" height="9"> <strong><font color="#000080" face="Arial"><b>Shipping from within CANADA?</b></font></strong></p> <p><font color="#000080" face="Arial">Please ship overnight prepaid.</font></p> <b> <p></b><img src="images/dot_small.gif" width="9" height="9"> <font color="#000080" face="Arial"><strong><b>Shipping from the U.S.A. to CANADA?</b></strong></font></p> <p><font color="#000080" face="Arial">Please fill out the attached  <a href="images/pdf/cust2.pdf"><img src="images/customs.jpg" alt="Canada Customs Invoice form" align="absmiddle" border="0" width="176" height="31"></a> <a href="images/pdf/cust2.pdf"> Invoice</a> ( Adobe PDF format, 960K - </font><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#000080"><a href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html">Download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader</a> if you don't have it</font><font color="#000080" face="Arial">); call us with any questions. Make 3 copies and give it to the courier. We recommend FEDERAL EXPRESS, ship overnight prepaid.</font></p> <hr width="75%"> <p><font face="Arial" color="#000080">Ask Dr. DMTA</font></p> <font SIZE="2"> <p></font><font face="Arial" color="#000080">We have been involved with the Polymer Laboratories DMTA since 1984 and now service all models from the original MK I through to the latest MK V.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial" color="#000080">We invite you to share your technical knowledge and experiences with other DMTA users and ourselves.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial" color="#000080">Below you will find some technical advice for common questions; we always enjoy hearing from you so give us some feedback!</font></p> <p><u><b> </p> <p><font face="Arial" color="#000080"><strong>ACCURATE MODULUS MEASUREMENTS ON THE DMTA</strong></font></b></u></p> <p><font face="Arial" color="#000080">A frequently asked question by DMTA users concerns accurate modulus measurement. The DMTA is capable of accurate modulus measurement if the user is careful in sample loading and does not exceed sample dimensions relative to the sample frame size. The user can choose between 3 measuring frames and basically 3 types of drive shaft clamps. A common error is choosing the wrong drive clamp when using single or dual cantilever measurements. The user must remember to use the dual cantilever drive shaft clamp (Clamp A) only with dual cantilever measurements and the single cantilever drive shaft clamp (Clamp B & C) only with single cantilever measurements. These clamps are very different and will result in inaccurate modulus measurements if the wrong clamps are used. Please refer to your user manual for more details.</font></p> <b> <p><font face="Arial" color="#000080"><strong>Length to Thickness Ratios</strong></font></b></p> <p><font face="Arial" color="#000080">Another source of error can be sample free length. If the free length is not properly measured this will result in an error in calculating the geometry constant. Sample free length is defined as the distance between the sample clamps. However, when measuring a large sample or a high modulus sample there maybe movement underneath the clamp faces, if this is the case then the free length can not be defined as the distance between the clamps. This movement of the sample under the clamp faces can be limited in a number of ways. Generally the longer the free length the less important this source of error and it is useful to consider the ratio of length divided by the thickness of the sample. Ratios between 5 and 7 are considered to be ideal and the higher the modulus the greater this number should be.</font></p> <b> <p><font face="Arial" color="#000080"><strong>Sample Torque</strong></font></b></p> <p><font face="Arial" color="#000080">The clamping pressure used on the sample is critical for accurate sample modulus. There exists an ideal torque for each sample based on the clamping arrangement and modulus of the sample being measured. An experienced operator will develop a "feel" for this after a while, however, for most users we recommend the use of a torque wrench. To determine the correct amount of torque begin by loading the sample and using a small amount of torque to "square" the sample up, turn the DMTA to run and make a note of the Log modulus. Turn the DMTA to hold and increase the torque by a nominal amount ( try 5 cNm ), turn the DMTA to run and note the new modulus. Continue this process, increasing the torque by small amounts until there is no further increase in the measured modulus. Care should be taken not to over torque as this will compress and distort the sample.</font></p> <b> <p><font face="Arial" color="#000080"><strong>Conclusion</strong></font></b></p> <p><font face="Arial" color="#000080">Accurate modulus measurements are possible if the user is careful when selecting the frame and drive clamps, choosing an appropriate length to thickness ratio and of course the correct torque for the clamping nuts.</font></p> <hr width="75%"> <p><font face="Arial" color="#000080">Jobs</font></p> <h1><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#000080">Field Service Engineer</font></h1> <span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US; mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"> <p><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#000080">Maple Instruments is looking for an experienced <strong>field service engineer</strong> for the purpose of installation and service of rheological instrumentation. The candidate should have a diploma in electronics technology or equivalent technical or military experience. Experience in service, installation and calibration of electro-mechanical instrumentation as well as computer literacy is important. The successful candidate will be required to travel extensively and perform fieldwork nation wide in the U.S. and / or Canada. Good communication and organization skills are a must for this position.</font></span></p> <p><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#000080"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">Please E mail your C.V. to <a href="mailto:maple.instruments@sympatico.ca"><i style="mso-fareast-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">maple.instruments@sympatico.ca</i></a></span></font></p> <hr width="75%"> <p><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#000080"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">Links</span></font></p> <p><font face="Arial"><strong><a href="http://www.rheosci.com">Rheometrics Scientific</a></strong> ( <a href="http://www.rheosci.com">www.rheosci.com</a> )</font></p> <p><font face="Arial"><a href="http://www.can-am.net"><b>Can-Am Instruments</b></a> (<a href="http://www.can-am.net">www.can-am.net</a>)</font></p> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"> <hr width="80%"> </font> <p align="center"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">| <a href="http://cr271485-a/MapleInstruments/main.htm">ABOUT US</a> | <a href="http://cr271485-a/MapleInstruments/service.htm">SERVICE</a> | <a href="http://cr271485-a/MapleInstruments/sales.htm">SALES</a> | <a href="http://cr271485-a/MapleInstruments/training.htm">TRAINING</a> | <a href="http://cr271485-a/MapleInstruments/testing.htm">TESTING</a> |<br>  | <a href="http://cr271485-a/MapleInstruments/contact.htm">CONTACT US</a> | <a href="http://cr271485-a/MapleInstruments/links.htm">LINKS</a> | <a href="http://cr271485-a/MapleInstruments/drdmta.htm">DR DMTA</a> | <a href="http://cr271485-a/MapleInstruments/jobs.htm">JOBS</a> |</font></p> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"> <hr width="80%"> </font> <p align="center"><font face="Verdana" size="2">Copyright �2000 MapleInstruments.com - All Rights Reserved</font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Verdana" size="2"><b>Maple Instruments Ltd.</b><br> 116 Johnston Ave.<br> Toronto, Ontario M2N 1H2  Canada<br> Tel:416-590-7446 * Fax: 416-590-7464<br> Email: <a href="mailto:MAPLE.INSTRUMENTS@SYMPATICO.CA">maple.instruments@sympatico.ca<br> </a><br> </font><font face="Verdana" size="1"> Software Development by <a href="http://www.webstarsolutions.net"><img src="images/wslogos.jpg" align="absMiddle" border="0" width="25" height="35"></a>  <a target="_blank" href="http://www.webstarsolutions.net">Webstar Solutions</a> </font></p> </body>