Oxfordshire based Chiltern Connections are a well-established, specialist provider of conformal coating machines and associated solutions for a wide range of industrial customers. Applications for their coating machines are generally highly specialised. For example, they are used to coat PCB’s (printed circuit boards) as a means of preventing corrosion or protecting these important components from various environmental challenges and thereby helping to extend their working life. The services they offer include; sub-contracting, providing a range of coating materials, machinery for production lines, training and consultancy.
Viscosity control is an essential part of the coating process and as a leading supplier of specialist analytical instrumentation and equipment, including Brookfield Ametek Viscometers, Fullbrook Systems have made an important contribution in helping Chiltern Connections to improve the reliability of their coating machines.
The Challenge
Viscosity control is an essential part of the coating process. For example, measuring viscosity consistently and reliably to a resolution of 1cP is an example of the quality control standards required by the end-user and underlines the importance of the role of the viscometer to the overall performance of the coating machines. Reliability had been an issue with the original in-house design of viscometer previously used in Chiltern Connections coating machines. As a result the decision was taken to source a commercially available viscometer, preferably with as few moving parts as possible so the objective of improving reliability and reducing unscheduled service call-outs, could be achieved.
The Solution
As a result of discussions with various suppliers, Chiltern Connections selected Fullbrook Systems as they offered a more cost-effective solution with the Brookfield Ametek AST 100 Viscometer, combined with a fast and positive response to their requirements.
Following trials to establish the suitability of the AST 100 viscometer for their coating machines, Chiltern Connections placed an immediate order for a Brookfield AST 100, followed by an order for another 2 in 2015. Acknowledged as one of the most innovative means of viscosity control, the AST 100 provides direct, in-line viscosity measurement in a range of 2 - 12500 (cP or equivalent cup-seconds) and with a repeatability of ± 1% of the reading.
Among the key features of the AST 100 appreciated by Chiltern Connections are; a rugged 316 stainless steel construction, no moving parts to wear, bind or contact with process materials, hence its high reliability and ease of maintenance. It is also easy-to-install and can be cleaned-in-place.
