About Us
Started in 1992 primarily as a consultant to other
Rheology companies, Maple Instruments became a limited company in 1996
and has been growing every year since then. We offer an in-house sample testing,
laboratory as well as a Service Department for calibration and repair of
most major rheometer brands.
We offer sales of both used and new
instruments as well as training both in-house and at your location.
Service: On-Site / In House
In addition to DMTAs
(Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysers) third-party servicing is available
from Canadian and U.S. locations on most popular models of rheometers.
Service options include:
annual
preventive maintenance service and calibration contracts *
emergency repairs
warranty service
parts replacement
* Generally
considered essential for consistent reliable product testing
Sales: New and Used Instruments
A comprehensive knowledge
of rheological and material test requirements gives Maple Instruments
the credentials to recommend the test instrumentation most suitable to meet
customers' needs.
In addition to
manufacturers' warranties on new equipment, Maple Instruments
can offer warranties on used instrumentation. We specialize in the following:
controlled stress rheometer
controlled strain rheometers
solids analysers, especially DMTAs
(Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysers)
Training
To optimize a customer's investment in
rheological instrumentation, instrument training 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.
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.
Rheological Testing: Solids, Fluids,
Melts
Measuring the flow
behaviour and mechanical properties of materials through rheological
testing provides some major benefits, for example:
improved product development
reduced cost of bringing a product to market
establishing
competitive product advantages
Maple Instruments
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.
Each test includes:
graphs showing test results and parameters
a written report
numerical test data
Contact Us
Shipping your instrument to us for
service?
Please observe the following advice.
PACKING
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.
Shipping
a DMTA measuring head?
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.
Attention DMTA MK III users!
If you are shipping the measuring head to us please engage the lock located on
the front panel, this secures the moving assembly.
Shipping
from within CANADA?
Please ship overnight prepaid.
Shipping
from the U.S.A. to CANADA?
Please fill out the attached
Invoice ( Adobe PDF format, 960K - Download
the free Adobe Acrobat Reader if you don't have it);
call us with any questions. Make 3 copies and give it to the courier. We
recommend FEDERAL EXPRESS, ship overnight prepaid.
Ask Dr. DMTA
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.
We invite you to share your technical
knowledge and experiences with other DMTA users and ourselves.
Below you will find some technical
advice for common questions; we always enjoy hearing from you so give us some
feedback!
ACCURATE MODULUS MEASUREMENTS ON
THE DMTA
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.
Length to Thickness Ratios
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.
Sample Torque
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.
Conclusion
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.
Jobs
Field Service Engineer
Maple Instruments is looking
for an experienced field service engineer 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.
Please
E mail your C.V. to maple.instruments@sympatico.ca
Links
Rheometrics
Scientific ( www.rheosci.com )
Can-Am Instruments
(www.can-am.net)
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Copyright ©2000 MapleInstruments.com - All Rights Reserved
Maple Instruments Ltd.
116 Johnston Ave.
Toronto, Ontario M2N 1H2 Canada
Tel:416-590-7446 * Fax: 416-590-7464
Email: maple.instruments@sympatico.ca
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