ViscoQC: Elevating Viscosity Measurement to the Next Level

ViscoQC rotational viscometers assess the viscosity of substances across a range of materials, from liquids to semi-solids. These user-friendly instruments provide convenient operation while ensuring consistently reliable and fully traceable results. 

Thanks to the instrument's magnetic spindle exchange mechanism and automatic spindle detection, potential damage to the instrument due to incorrect spindle attachment is prevented, and measurement errors are eliminated. This not only ensures accuracy but also saves both time and budget.

An unique automatic speed searching function is available to streamline work with new formulations and method creation. Any existing SOPs can be easily converted.

Key Features

The ViscoQC from Anton Paar GmbH is one of the easiest-to-use rotational viscometers on the market, offering a diverse array of benefits:

From Unpacking to Measurement in a Matter of Minutes

Image Credit: Anton Paar GmbH

Setting up the ViscoQC takes less than two minutes. The instrument is provided preassembled, and an SOP booklet includes detailed first steps and accessible user training. An intuitive user interface guides users from initial start-up through the full measurement process.

Users can continue to use SOP methods from their current rotational viscometer because the ViscoQC delivers consistent results by employing the same instrument setup and measuring settings.

The instrument’s standard spindles are affixed via magnetic coupling, enabling rapid, simple and safe spindle exchange.

Full Traceability for Reliable Viscosity Tests

Image Credit: Anton Paar GmbH

The unique Toolmaster^™ feature ensures error-proof, fully traceable viscosity measurements. Spindles are automatically detected by the viscometer upon attachment, while the ViscoQC 300 also allows each method to be restricted to a specific spindle identity. All connected accessories are also detected and documented.

Integrated digital leveling functionality automatically monitors and prompts users to maintain the correct leveling status, removing the risk of incorrect measurements and ensuring extraordinary, full-scale range accuracy of ± 1%.

Measurement of new formulations is also simple and straightforward, with ViscoQC’s TruMode^™ feature automatically directing users to the most appropriate spindle and speed configurations for their substance.

A Future-Proof Rotational Viscometer

Image Credit: Anton Paar GmbH

The ViscoQC rotational viscometer can be upgraded with a range of accessories, allowing it to accommodate virtually any requirements. The air cooled Peltier temperature devices (PTD's) are faster, more precise and require no external chiller, therefore also save laboratory space: 

• PTD 80: Rapid, accurate control of sample temperature from +15 °C to +80 °C
• PTD 175: High performance temperature control (-45 °C to +175 °C), able to accommodate a number of standards including ASTM D2983, D8210, D5133, and 7110; and DIN 51398
• PTD 100 Cone-Plate: Able to accommodate small sample volumes from 0.5 mL to 2 mL, with a temperature control range from 0 °C to 100 °C.
• ETD 300: Ideal for high-temperature measurements such as bitumen and hot melts, and when looking to meet standards such as ASTM D4402 and AASHTO T316
• Heli-Plus: Motorized stand for automated up- and downward movement of the spindle. Suitable for working with non-flowing substances such as pastes, gels, and creams

Additional software functionality can be added to the ViscoQC 300 with V-Curve, allowing the system to offer real-time graphs, programmability, analysis (yield point), and extended method functionality.

Full Compliance Within One Day

Image Credit: Anton Paar GmbH

The ViscoQC can be ready for use within a day while remaining fully compliant with 21 CFR Part 11, GMP, and GAMP 5.

The ViscoQC 300’s V-Comply software offers several features specifically designed to ensure compliance, including a full audit trail, electronic signature capabilities, and qualification documentation.

The qualification is far more than an installation and simple IQ/OQ. The entire qualification process is enhanced by in-depth risk analysis, traceability matrix, performance qualification, and final qualification report.

The Most Convenient Way to Generate and Export QC Data

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Each ViscoQC rotational viscometer comes complete with the V-Collect PC data collection software. The ViscoQC 100 does not store data itself, rather, results can be exported directly or printed via a Brother QL-700 label printer following each test.

The ViscoQC 300 has sufficient memory to store up to 999 measurements with up to 10,000 sub-measurements on 150 megabytes. Data can also be exported in PDF or CSV formats or printed via a page printer (USB or network) or label printer.

The ViscoQC 300 can be integrated into an existing or new network via an FTP server or Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), enabling automated data export. The AP Connect software empowers users to adopt a fully paperless laboratory, connecting instruments, communicating measurement information, and ensuring compliance.

Durable Parts and Maximum Uptime

Image Credit: Anton Paar GmbH

Thanks to the ViscoQC’s use of highly durable bearings and its capacity to routinely perform an automatic bearing check (TruSine™), uptime is maximized while ongoing service costs are reduced to a minimum. The instrument’s spindles are made of superior stainless steel (AISI 316L), protecting them from corrosion and drastically increasing spindle lifetime.

Technical Specifications

Source: Anton Paar GmbH

* With optional PTD 100 Cone-Plate, with L1 spindle 15 mPa.s
** With optional PTD 100 Cone-Plate, with RH1 spindle 100 mPa.s
*** With optional PTD 100 Cone-Plate, with RH1 spindle 800 mPa.s
M = million
DIN = Concentric cylinders, double-gap
SSA = Small sample adapter (SC4-xx)
UL = Ultra-low viscosity adapter

Standards

AASHTO

• T316
• T366

ASTM

BS

• 5350

Chinese Pharmacopoeia (ChP)

• 0633 Rotational viscosity measurement method, method III

DIN

• 2555
• 3219
• 13302
• 16945
• 51398
• 52007-1
• 53019-1
• 54453

EN

• 302-7
• 2555
• 3219
• 10301
• 12092
• 12802
• 15425
• 15564

ISO

• 1652
• 2535
• 2555
• 2884
• 3219
• 8003
• 10364-12

Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP)

• XVII 2.53 (2.1.2) Single cylinder-type rotational viscometer

Pharmacopoeia Europe (Ph. Eur.)

• 2.2.10 - Rotating viscometer method

TAPPI

• T648
• T697

U.S. Pharmacopoeia (USP)

• 912 Rotating viscometer method

Acknowledgments

Produced from materials originally authored by Anton Paar GmbH.