Grind Tester

Labtron’s Grind Testers are suitable for analyzing a wide range of dispersions including paints, inks, coatings, pigments, cosmetics, adhesives, and pharmaceuticals. Both water-based and solvent-based formulations can be tested with proper compatibility. The instrument evaluates how finely solid particles are dispersed within a liquid medium. By assessing grind quality, users can determine whether milling or mixing processes are complete. It’s also used to compare pigment dispersion between batches. The tester is ideal for R&D, quality control, and production floor environments. Accurate particle detection supports improved performance in the final product. This helps prevent defects like sedimentation or poor coverage.

Labtron’s Digital Grind Testers offer numerous benefits over manual versions, including increased accuracy, efficiency, and reproducibility. They feature image analysis algorithms that identify fine particles, pits, and even aggregates. These instruments come with touchscreen interfaces to control speed, zoom levels, particle detection thresholds, and scraping parameters. They reduce operator error by automating the reading and result generation. Additional features such as PDF reporting, batch tracking, and threshold filtering enhance traceability. They also support user-defined ROIs and allow comparisons between included and excluded particles. With less dependence on operator skill, digital testers deliver consistent, reliable results for critical quality control.

Labtron’s Automated Grinding Testers typically support variable scraping speeds ranging from 0 mm/s to 10 mm/s or more. This adjustable speed ensures optimal contact between the blade and sample, reducing inconsistencies during fineness testing. Slow speeds are ideal for viscous samples requiring careful drawdown, while faster speeds may suit lower-viscosity materials for quick analysis. Advanced testers allow the operator to preset scraping time and speed, ensuring that every test is reproducible across multiple batches. Consistent scraping speed is critical in avoiding false results due to drag, air entrapment, or uneven spreading. It also enhances alignment with ISO standards.

ROI detection in digital Grind Testers focuses the image processing on specific areas of the grind plate grooves. By isolating only the region where particles should be evaluated, the software avoids misreading background defects or out-of-scope areas. This helps eliminate noise in measurement and ensures that only relevant particle size data is captured. Operators can also zoom into the ROI to manually verify particles and confirm software accuracy. Some testers let users adjust or mark ROIs interactively, providing additional control. ROI-based analysis improves both resolution and confidence in results, especially in automated and high-throughput environments.

Yes, advanced digital Grind Testers use image recognition powered by deep learning models to detect not just particles, but also surface defects such as pits, scratches, bubbles, and bubble aggregation. These anomalies, if not filtered out, can be mistaken for particles during fineness measurement. The system intelligently classifies these features and allows users to exclude or include them from the final analysis. The software may offer real-time visualization of defect location, size, and distribution. This greatly enhances diagnostic capability and ensures more accurate readings, particularly in critical applications like high-performance coatings and pharmaceutical dispersions.