Rheometer Series

MCRxx2

www.anton-paar.com

MCR History: Evolution to Revolution

Time

UDS
1995

MCR xx0
1999

MCR xx1
2004

MCR xx2
2011

Time Line Anton Paar Rheometer at

Customer Side
UDS

MCR500

MCR301

History: Evolution of Anton Paar

Rheometers
MCR xx0
1999

2004
MCR xx1
2011
MCR xx2

UDS 200
1995

Innovations
- First EC-Motor Rheometer
- Fully digital instrument (DSP
Technology)
- Graphite air bearing
- Patented normal force sensor
- Quick-fitting coupling
Introduction of the modular
concept
7 Temperature control systems
4 Special Accessories

Innovations
- Direct Strain Oscillation (DSO)
- Introduction of torque mapping
- Patented Peltier Hood (H-PTD)
- Patented Cylinder Temp. control
- First Magneto- and Electrorheological devices
- First Immobilisation cell
- Automatc Sample Changer (ASC)
Improvements
- Improved EC Motor technology
(min. torque: 20 nNm)
- State of the art DSP-Technologie
- Air bearing and normal force
improvements
Extension of the modular concept
11 Temperature control systems
11 Special Accessories

Innovations
- ToolmasterTM
- TruGapTM
- LAN Interface
- CTD450 with Digi Eye
- First Rheo-SALS System
- First Interfacial Rheology System
- First Tribologie System
- High Throughput Rheometer HTR
Improvements
- Improved EC Motor technology
(min. torque: 10 nNm)
- Temperature stabilisation of air
bearing and normal force sensor
- Space-saving instrument concept
and innovative design
Extension of the modular concept
12 Temperature control systems
16 Special Accessories

The Slogan for the MCR Series:

Your Future-Proof Rheometer

What does this slogan mean?

New high-end rheometer platform

employing state of the art technology for all
todays and future applications
Continuous firmware development ensures
performance improvements and new
functions over the life time of the MCR xx2.
The accessories for the former MCR as well
as all new accessories can be used in the
new MCR rheometer series.

and now the technical details

The Future Proof Rheometer

What is new in the MCRxx2?
The new MCR xx2 features a totally new electronics and mechanical design and relies
on the further improved core components such as EC-motor, air bearing and normal
force sensor.

Development targets
1)

Fill the foot steps of the MCRxx1 (Release Status)

First step ensures MCRxx1 performance on the MCRxx2 platform and some unique new
additional features.
Since there were constantly small improvements in the MCRxx1 the last specifications
were to conservative. Therefore the MCRxx2 specifications are better compared to the
MCR xx1 specs.

2)

New platform which can grow with further needs from customers.

Instrument Shape of MCR xx2 Series

MCR Series with 4 instruments:

MCR 52

(ball bearing)

MCR 102

(air bearing)

MCR 302

(air bearing)

MCR 502

(air bearing)

MCR 52, 102, 302 look similar

MCR 502
higher frame
larger flange

MCRxx2 - EC-Motor, Motor Controller,

Electronics

Innovations of MCR xx2

TruRateTM (new)
TruStrainTM (new)

TruGapTM and CTD boards included

Digital current sources
T-ReadyTM (new)
New faster electronics

Characteristics of the EC-Motor

Known and constant magnetic field
Fast and accurate control routines
Instantaneous availability of the
magnetic field and the torque, i.e. no
time lag due to induction
Extremely fast response times.
Controlling of very small speeds at small
torques. Oscillation at higher frequencies

No induction needed: No eddy currents. No heat production on the

rotor- No change in motor characteristics. High torques for long times
possible (300 mNm).

Linear relationship between the electro-magnetic torque and the

stator current( M I): Only one motor constant for calibration

Almost no dependence on the type of geometry, i.e. no

difference between small low inertia and large high inertia
geometries.
9

Air Bearing / Normal Force

Air bearings

Radial Bearing

Axial bearing centers the shaft

Radial bearing holds the rotating part
Constant high quality (less variation) of air
bearings due to improved manufacturing process

MCR502: Temperature stabilisation of the air

bearing increases the lifetime of motor
adjustments and reduces drifts in normal force.
Normal Force Measurement
Patented normal force sensor in the air bearing measures
the natural deflection of rotor when measuring system is
pushed or pulled by an electrical capacity method.

Benefits:
Large NF range with high resolution
NF measurements in fast transient measurements
Measurement in the air bearing NF available for all
environmental systems and accessories
NF is no extra option or accessory
10

Normal
Force
Sensor
Axial
Bearing

Performance MCR xx2

Normal Force, TruRateTM, SRM2490
4

10

CSRTest, TruRateTM
CP25-4, P-PTD200, 25C
Shear rate:
0.001 to 100
Measurement point
duration.
100 to 1 s (log)
Averaging:
Automatic

10

10
N

Pa

m Pas

10

10
5

10

-1

10

SRM 2490 Flow curve

N1

10

FN

-2

10

10
1

10

Min Normal Force:

10

0.0028 N

10

10

-4
-3

-2

10 10 10

-1

10 10 101/s
10

Spec values:
Normal Force Range: 0.005 to 50 N
11

-3

10

FN
N1

Normal Force Sensor MCR52

High normal forces when occurring during gap loading

of highly viscous samples can potentially damage the
mechanical bearing of the MCR150/51 because the
bearing is not designed for high axial load and there is
no sensor which recognizes such an event

Normal Force sensor MCR52

The MCR52 employs a normal force sensor which
recognises potentially dangerous events for the ball
bearing and stops the actual movement.

12

Performance MCR xx2

TruRateTM, Water Measurement
CSR Test, TruRateTM
CP50-1, P-PTD200, 25C
Measurement point duration
10 to 100s
Averaging:
80% of the measuring point duration

10

mPas

nNm
4

1.6

10

1.4
3

1.2

10
H2O 25C

M
2

0.8

10

0.6
1

0.4

10

0.2
0

0
-1

10

10

10

10

10

1/s

10

Shear Rate

Flow curve water: Within 10% deviation down to 15 nNm

13

Performance MCR xx2

TruRateTM, SRM 2490
CSD Test,
TruRateTM
CP25-4, P-PTD200,
25C
Strain: 100 %
Measurement point
duration.
0.001 to 10 s (log)
Averaging:
Automatic

100

10
Pa

102
%
101.5

10
2

10

10

101

10

100.5

10

-1

SRM
100 2490 Step Strain

99.5

10
99

10
-3

10
-4

10

98.5
98
-2

10

-1

10
Time t

-5

0.1
-3

10

-2

10

-1

10
10
Time t

10

10

10 s 10

Desired Strain reached within 40 ms.

14

-2

Further available controller

Accurate
Fast
Heavy load
Manual

10

Performance MCR xx2

TruRateTM, Step Rate SRM 2490
2

11

10

Step Rate 1s-1

1/s

Step Rate 3s-1

7
6

Pas

35 ms at 3,5,10 s-1
15 ms at

10

-3

10

-2

10

-1

10
10
Time t

1s-1
1

10

Step Rate 5s-1

10

2
1

Pas

Step Rate 10s-1

10

0
2

10 s 10

Desired shear rates reached within 15 to 35 ms

Viscosity curves overlaying
First Normal Stress coefficient perfectly overlaying
15

CSR Test, TruRateTM

CP25-4, P-PTD200, 25C
Shear Rate:
1,3,5,10 s-1
Measurement point
duration.
0.001 to 10 s (log)
Averaging:
Automatic

1
0

10

-1

10

-1

10

10

10
Time t

10

10

TruStrainTM

LAOS has become more popular in the last two years, which allowed us
to improved and show the performance of the DSO controller.

The name DSO is not protected, competition has therefore also

introduced Direct Strain names just for simple amplitude control in
oscillation.

To differentiate real time position control from the amplitude control and
to underline the improvements of this controller over the last years a new
name for former Direct Strain Oscillation is introduced with the MCR xx2:

TruStrainTM
16

Strain Control in Oscillation: Amplitude

Control vs. Real Time Position Control
TruStrainTM
Amplitude Control (Controlled Shear Deformation - CSD)
t 0 sin t

t 0 sin t

Strain [%]

t 2
0 0 ,desired

ideal
instrument

-1

sinusoidal stress input

Real Time Position Control (Former Direct Strain Oscillation - DSO)
Now TruStrainTM (Rheol. Acta, 41, 356-361 (2002))

t t
t t desired t t

17

Strain [%]

-1

ideal
instrument

sinusoidal strain input

Strain in Oscillation: TruStrainTM

4%-Xanthan gel
3

10
Pa
10
G' 10
G'' 10
10
10

blue: TruStrainTM

red: Standard oscillation CSD

1

-1

-2

10

-2

10

-1

10
Strain

10

DSO

raw

-50

-40
-100
0

2
tper

18

10

Pa
50

20

-20

CSD

50

raw

10

40

Pa

20

100

100
40

10

raw

raw

-20

Perfect
Sinusoidal Strain
with TruStrainTM

-50

-40
-100
0

2
tper

Paper Rheologica Acta 2010

Performance MCR xx2

TruStrainTM, Low Torque, Small Deflection
Angle
2

CSD Test, TruStrainTM

CP25-1, P-PTD200, 25C

10

10
nNm

Pas

Deflection angle
(preset): 0.22 rad

10

SRM 2490 25C

10

10
|*|

|*|
M

10

Torque:
2.5 nNm

1 Pas Oil, 25C

10
|*|
0

Torque: 0.85 nNm

Deflection angle (preset): 0.55 rad

-1

10

-1

10

10

10
10
10
Deflection Angle

10 rad 10

SRM2490
Strain: 10 to 0.1 %
Frequency: 0.1 Hz
Measurement point
duration
No time setting
Averaging:
Automatic

1 Pas oil
Strain: 100 to 0.001 %
Frequency: 1 Hz
Measurement point
duration
No time setting
Averaging:
Automatic

-1

10

Spec values
TruStrainTM: Min Torque 1 nNm
TruStrainTM: Min deflection angle (preset) 0.1 rad
19

T-ReadyTM

Setting of sample temperature

Today the waiting time for sample temperature before test start is usually longer
then required to ensure that the sample reached the desired temperature.
Nevertheless there is still no proof that the sample has really reached the desired
temperature.

T-ReadyTM
T-Ready ensures the desired sample temperature.
Reduces and optimizes waiting times.

Uses the TruGapTM hardware and functionality to detect sample temperature

equilibrium

20

T-ReadyTM Technology / Measurement

Hardware: TruGapTM temperature device and measuring system
2
Pas

0.2

80

m/s

0.1
1.6

0.05

1.4

Temperature Criteria:

If the lift motor does not move more

then 3 m within the last 200 s a
constant temperature within the gap is
reached. Instrument shows on display
in green T-Ready.

70
65
60

-0.05
1.2

1
0.8

-0.1

55

-0.15

50

-0.2

45

-0.25
0.6

-0.3

0.4

-0.35

40

Less then 3 m
movement within
200 s TReadyTM

-0.4
0.2
0

-0.45
-0.5
0

50

Sample: Canon Silocone oil

Shear rate: 10 s-1
Measurement point duration: 5 s

The criteria can be set in the service

software. 3 m within 200 s ensures
accurate temperature for all types of
measuring systems.

35
30

Display

25

20
100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650 s700
Time t

Idea: Sample contacts the bottom plate and measuring system. As long as the temperature of the
sample, temperature device and measuring system is not in equilibrium the lift motor is in motion and
compensates the gap continuouesly according to TruGapTM measurement. At temperature equilibrium
the lift motor motion stops moving. This is recognized and the test is started automatically.

21

Mechanical Design / Frame

All Accessories for MCR xx1 also are usable for

MCR xx2
Innovations: Release Status MCR xx2

Modern new instrument shape

Higher maximum lift motor speed

Improved instrument compliance and axial

compliance compensation

Large colour display with soft keys

More interfaces / USB interface
Improved z-direction alignment
Improved service access

22

Connections and Interfaces

Connections and Interfaces at the MCR xx2

USB Connection for direct communication with computer

Ethernet interface for direct or network communication

4 analog outputs for triggering external devices
3 inputs for reading external devices

Thermocouple interface for temperature reading

Pt-100 interface for temperature reading
Serial port for communication with external thermostat

Boards can be exchanged separately without removing the housing for better service access.

23

New Intuitive Colour Display

Colour display

New, intuitive, well-organized colour display controlled with

soft keys.

The display employs the same functionality as a touch

screen but without the risk of damaging the screen with
dirty fingers when working with samples like e.g. asphalt or
paints

Users have just to press a few buttons at the display instead of do some
handling in the software.
Network control of the instrument gets even more interesting because
sample and instrument preparation does not require computer interactions.

24

MCR xx2 Specifications

Units

Bearing

MCR102

MCR302

MCR502

Mechanical

Air

Air

Air

250 Nm

50

10

10

100

Min. Torque rot

nNm

Min torque osc.

nNm

Max torque rot/osc

mNm

200

200

200

230 (300)

Torque resolution

nNm

100

0.5

0.1

0.1

Deflection angle (preset)

rad

1 to

1 to

1 to

1 to

Internal angular resolution

nrad

12

12

12

12

Min speed (CSS)

1/min

1.0E-05

1.0E-05

1.0E-07

1.0E-057

Min. speed (CSR)

1/min

1.0E-03

1.0E-04

1.0E-06

1.0E-06

Max speed

1/min

3000

3000

3000

3000

Time const speed (66%)

ms

10

10

10

10

Time const. Angle (66%)

ms

10

10

10

10

Step time speed (99%)

ms

30

30

30

30

Step time angle (99%)

ms

30

30

30

30

Min. angular frequency

rad/s

1.E-03

1.0E-05

1.0E-05

1.0E-05

Max. angular frequency

rad/s

628

628

628

628

0.01 - 50

0.005 50

0.005 50

0.5

0.5

Normal force range

Normal Force resolution
25

MCR52

mN

MCR xx2 / Options

MCR52

MCR102

MCR302

MCR502

TruGapTM
TReadyTM

yes

yes

yes

yes

TruRateTM
(adaptive controller)

yes

optional

yes

yes

TruStrainTM

no

optional

yes

yes

DMTA,Tack, Squeeze,
NF

no

optional

yes

yes

LAOS, Raw Data

no

optional
(TruStrainTM required)

optional

yes

ToolmasterTM
Temperature Range
Accessories

26

Measuring systems and accessories

-150 to 1000C
all excl. DORA

all

Special MCR xx2

DSR302

MCR302/
WESP/WSP
WESP
Full functional instrument.
Display on the right side.
Flange ensures parallelity
Lift motor full functional
More space underneath the instrument
27

DSR
Rheometer head with
seperate electronics

WSP
Full functional instrument without flange.
Display on the right side.
Lift motor full functional
More space underneath the instrument

Summary of the Evolution

2004
MCR xx1

2011
MCR xx2

Innovations
- State of the art electronics
- T-ReadyTM
- Piezo Axial Actuator
- USB connection
- Thermocouple interface
- Colour display with soft keys
- Sample/Test preparation over display
- CTD180 with Digi Eye
- Universal optical devices
Innovations
- ToolmasterTM
- TrugapTM
- LAN Interface
- CTD450 with Digi Eye
- First Rheo-SALS System
- First Interfacial Rheology System
- First Tribologie System
- High Throughput Rheometer

Improvements
- Improved EC Motor technology
(Minimum torque: 10 nNm)
- Temperature stabilisation of air bearing and normal force sensor
- Space-saving instrument concept and innovative design
Extension of the modular concept
12 Temperature control systems
16 Special Accessories

28

Improvements
- State of the art high speed electronics
- Digital current sources
- TruStrainTM
- TruRateTM
- Improved complience compensation
- Faster lift motor
- Improved adjustments for torque, normal force and opt.
encoder (Minimum torque: 2 nNm)
- Space-saving instrument concept and innovative design
- More interfaces
- Improved service access
- Improved CTD controller
Extension of the modular concept
13 Temperature control systems
17 Special Accessories

Accessories MCR xx2

One Instrument - Many Combinations

29