RION VT-06 (01) PDF Document

The No. 1 and No. 2 rotors on the RION VT-06 are designed for making measurements using a JIS 300 mL beaker containing about 350 mL of sample fluid. If another container is used, the viscosity resistance will be different, leading to deviations in the measurement result. If a different container must be used, ensure it is considerably larger than the JIS 300 mL beaker; however, the obtained measurement values will be low. The No. 3 rotor must be combined with the No. 3 cup, otherwise large errors will occur in the reading.

While the viscosity scale readings for the various rotor types overlap, the obtained measurement values may be different when changing rotors, depending on the properties of the sample fluid and mechanical calibration. To facilitate the correct evaluation of data, you should always note the rotor number along with the measurement results.

Examples of overlapping ranges:

• 3 dPa·s to 13 dPa·s: Can be measured with No. 3 or No. 1 rotor

• 100 dPa·s to 150 dPa·s: Can be measured with No. 2 or No. 1 rotor

• Keep the time for one measurement under 100 seconds.

• Ambient conditions for operation of the unit are: temperature range 5°C to 35°C, relative humidity 10% to 90%RH.

• Because the drive section is not hermetically sealed, do not use the unit in environments with volatile gas or dust pollution. Otherwise the drive section may be damaged.

• When attaching or removing a rotor, put the viscometer in a horizontal position and carefully move the rotor in the vertical direction. To prevent the possibility of damage, take care not to exert strong force on the rotor mounting shaft in the vertical or horizontal direction.

• The rotor mounting shaft is screwed into the body of the unit. Take care not to inadvertently dislodge it when attaching or removing a rotor.

• The rubber section of the rotor mounting shaft may drop out at the time of measurement. If you want to avoid foreign material in a sample, remove the rubber section at the time of measurement.

• Remove the batteries from the unit when it is not being used, to prevent the possibility of damage by leaking battery fluid.

• If you notice any sign of a problem during use, disconnect the AC adapter, remove the battery, and please contact your dealer.

• Protect the unit from water, dust, extreme temperatures, humidity, and direct sunlight during storage. Also keep the unit away from air with high salt or sulphur content, gases, and stored chemicals during storage and use.

• Do not try to disassemble or alter the unit.

• Dispose of the unit and of batteries only according to national and local regulations at the place of use.

• Do not tap the LCD panel of the unit with a pointed object such as a pencil, screwdriver, etc.

• Clean the unit only by wiping it with a soft, dry cloth or, when necessary, with a cloth lightly moistened with water. Do not use any solvents, cleaning alcohol or chemical cleaning agents.

• The optional stand (VA-04) is useful to stabilize the viscometer during long-term or continuous measurements.

• To ensure continued accuracy, have the unit checked and serviced at regular intervals. Please contact your dealer.

• In case of malfunction, do not attempt any repairs. Note the condition of the unit clearly and please contact your dealer.

The RION VT-06 displays viscosity in the Pascal-second (Pa·s). The relation between this unit and Poise (P) is as follows:

1 dPa·s = 1 P

dPa·s stands for Decipascal-seconds, while P stands for Poise.

• **Power key:** Turns power to the unit on and off. The key must be held for at least 1 second to take effect.

• **START key:** Press to start or stop the measurement.

• **Back light ON/OFF key:** Turns the backlight on and off. The backlight is automatically turned off when there is no key activity for a certain period.

• **Rotor selector key:** Press to select the rotor number.

To power the RION VT-06 from an AC adapter, plug the output cable from the adapter into the DC IN jack on the viscometer. Then, plug the AC adapter into an AC outlet rated for 100 V to 240 V AC.

To prevent the risk of electric shock, always connect the adapter output cable to the viscometer first, and only then plug the AC adapter into the AC outlet. Use a genuine AC adapter (VA-05J series).

When operating the RION VT-06 on battery power, you must set the selector switch inside the battery compartment to the correct position for the type of batteries in use. Choose between alkaline batteries (ALKALINE) or nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries (NI-MH).

During viscosity measurement, you can check the battery status on the display. The number of black segments (up to 4) will decrease as the batteries get used up.

• **When battery status indicator is down to 1 segment:** Replace the batteries as early as possible with a fresh set.

• **When battery status indicator shows no black segments:** Measurement cannot be performed. Replace the batteries with a fresh set.

Step 1. Remove the battery compartment lid by pushing the latch in the arrow direction and then lifting up to open the lid.

Step 2. Insert four IEC LR6, size AA batteries, paying attention to the polarity as shown inside the compartment.

Step 3. Replace the cover.

Do not insert the battery conversely.

First, select a suitable rotor for the viscosity of the sample fluid.

• **To attach the rotor:** Because it uses a left-hand (reverse) screw thread, you must turn the rotor counterclockwise to screw it into the rotor mounting shaft.

• **To detach the rotor:** Hold the blue rubber section of the rotor mounting shaft with your fingers and turn the rotor clockwise.

Note: Verify that the blue rubber section of the rotor mounting shaft is mounted correctly and does not touch the case of the unit, as this may affect measurement. The wider side of the rubber section should face outwards.

If you do not know the viscosity of the sample fluid, perform measurement using rotors in the following order: No. 2 rotor, No. 1 rotor, No. 3 rotor.

Choose the rotor according to the viscosity of the sample fluid. The required cup size and fluid volume also change depending on the rotor.

• **For No. 1 and No. 2 rotors:** Use a JIS 300 mL beaker (not supplied) filled with about 350 mL of sample fluid.

• **For No. 3 rotor:** Use the No. 3 cup filled with about 150 mL of sample fluid.

Adjust the volume of the sample fluid so that it does not overflow when the rotor is inserted. When measuring fluid with a low viscosity, the fluid may spill when the rotor is activated; adjust the fluid first to a suitable level.

Step 1. Hold the viscometer in one hand or mount it to the optional stand (VA-04). Use the level gauge on the unit to verify that the unit is approximately horizontal.

Step 2. Place the rotor in the center of the cup or beaker and fill in sample fluid so that it comes to about the center of the fluid mark on the rotor.

Step 3. Hold down the power key until the power is set to on (at least 1 second).

Step 4. Use the rotor selector key to select the correct rotor number.

Step 5. Press the START key. The indication “RUN” appears on the display and the rotor starts to turn. Hold the unit steady until the viscosity indication has stabilized.

Step 6. When a stable value has been obtained, press the START key again. The rotor stops turning, and the measurement value remains on the display for easy reading.

Step 7. When measurement is completed, hold down the power key until the power is set to off (at least 1 second).

• **UNDER:** If the measurement value is below the measurement range for the respective rotor, the indication “UNDER” will be shown in the left part of the display under the bar graph.

• **OVER:** If the measurement value exceeds the measurement range, the indication “OVER” will be shown.

If you see either of these indications, select the correct rotor so that these indications do not appear.

Battery life will differ depending on the sample fluid being measured, but under the following conditions, approximately 300 measurements are possible:

• IEC LR6 (size AA) alkaline batteries

• Measurement time 100 seconds per measurement

• Sample fluid viscosity near maximum of respective rotor measurement range

The unit cannot be shut off by the power key while the rotor is turning.

The supplied foldable rotor extension consists of three 30 cm rods joined by rings for a combined length of 90 cm. To use a shorter length (30 cm or 60 cm), open the connector rings with a pair of pliers, remove the desired number of elements, and rejoin the extension rods. Be sure to close the rings fully again to prevent the extension from detaching during use.

Attach the end with the male thread to the viscometer and the end with the female thread to the rotor. Note that both are left-hand (reverse) screw threads, so you must turn the parts counterclockwise to screw them in.

• **Error code (E-**):** Turn off the power and then turn it on again. If an error code is displayed after restarting, repair is necessary. Please contact your dealer.

• **FAIL display:** When the rotor starts to turn, temporary overload may cause a so-called power swing condition where the rotor cannot turn properly, causing the “FAIL” indication. If this happens, change the rotor so that the viscosity is within the new rotor’s measurement range. If “FAIL” is displayed with the load removed, repair is necessary. Please contact your dealer.

• **Measurement accuracy:** ±10% ± 1 digit of indicated value

• **Reproducibility:** ±5%

• **Rotor speed:** 62.5 rpm

• **Max. continuous measurement time per measurement:** 100 s

• **Display updating cycle:** Measured value 1 sec, Bar graph 0.1 sec

• **Display value hold function:** Value at end of measurement is retained

• **Backlight function:** Switchable backlight with auto-off after 60 s (when rotor is not operating and unit is powered from batteries)

• **Auto shutdown function (when an AC adapter is not used):** If rotor is not turning and no controls are operated for 5 minutes, power is automatically shut off

• **Resume function:** Last selected rotor number setting is retained during power-off

• No. 1 rotor (dia. 24 mm x 53 mm × 166 mm) SUS304: 1

• No. 2 rotor (dia. 15 mm × 1 mm × 113 mm) SUS304: 1

• No. 3 rotor (dia. 45 mm × 47 mm × 160 mm) SUS304: 1

• No. 3 Cup (dia. 52.6 mm × 75 mm) SUS304: 1

• Rotor extension (in a tube) (900 mm; 300 mm × 3) SUS304: 1

• IEC LR6 (size AA) battery: 4

• Instruction manual: 1

• Viscosity measurement guide: 1

• Inspection certificate: 1

• AC adapter: VA-05J series

• Stand for Viscometer: VA-04