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Melt Station User Manual

Order Code: MLT-BTA

The Melt Station is a sensor used to measure the melting temperature of solid substances.

Note: Vernier products are designed for educational use only.

What's Included

  • Melt Station
  • Power supply
  • Package of 100 capillary tubes, one closed end

Compatible Software

Choose a platform below to see its compatibility requirements. This sensor requires an interface (sold separately).

LabQuest
InterfaceLabQuest App
LabQuest 3Full support
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support
LabQuest (discontinued)Full support
Computers
Software
InterfaceGraphical AnalysisLogger ProLogger Lite
LabQuest MiniFull support 1Full supportFull support
LabQuest 3Full support 1 2Full supportIncompatible
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support 1 2Full supportFull support
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)Full support 1 3Full supportFull support 3
Go!LinkFull support 1Full supportFull support
LabQuest (discontinued)Full support 1Full supportFull support
LabPro (discontinued)IncompatibleFull supportFull support

Compatibility Notes

  1. The Data Tagging feature typically used with this sensor is not available in the free version of Graphical Analysis; Graphical Analysis Pro activation is required.
  2. Full support of this sensor is only available when LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 is connected to a computer or Chromebook via Wireless Data Sharing.
  3. Connect LabQuest Stream via USB. Wireless connection is not supported.
Chromebook
Software
InterfaceGraphical Analysis
LabQuest MiniFull support 1
LabQuest 3Full support 1 2
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support 1 2
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)Full support 1 3
Go!LinkFull support 1
LabQuest (discontinued)Full support 1

Compatibility Notes

  1. The Data Tagging feature typically used with this sensor is not available in the free version of Graphical Analysis; Graphical Analysis Pro activation is required.
  2. Full support of this sensor is only available when LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 is connected to a computer or Chromebook via Wireless Data Sharing.
  3. Connect LabQuest Stream via USB. Wireless connection is not supported.
iOS
Software
InterfaceGraphical AnalysisGraphical Analysis GW
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)Full support 1Full support 2
LabQuest 3Full support 3Full support 3
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support 3Full support 3

Compatibility Notes

  1. The Data Tagging feature typically used with this sensor is not available in the free version of Graphical Analysis; Graphical Analysis Pro activation is required.
  2. Software does not support the Data Tagging feature that is typically used with this sensor.
  3. iOS and Androidâ„¢ devices can only connect to LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 via Wireless Data Sharing.
Android
Software
InterfaceGraphical AnalysisGraphical Analysis GW
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)Full support 1Incompatible
LabQuest 3Full support 2Full support 2
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support 2Full support 2

Compatibility Notes

  1. The Data Tagging feature typically used with this sensor is not available in the free version of Graphical Analysis; Graphical Analysis Pro activation is required.
  2. iOS and Androidâ„¢ devices can only connect to LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 via Wireless Data Sharing.
Arduino
Software
InterfaceArduino
Vernier Arduino® Interface ShieldFull support 1

Compatibility Notes

  1. Requires advanced programming for data collection
LabVIEW
Software
InterfaceNI LabVIEW
SensorDAQ (discontinued)Full support
Vernier myDAQ AdapterFull support 1 2
Go!LinkFull support 2
LabQuest MiniFull support
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)Full support
LabQuest 3Full support
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support
LabQuest (discontinued)Full support

Compatibility Notes

  1. You can only read the raw count/raw voltage output by this sensor. You must do the programming to convert to proper sensor units.
  2. Requires advanced programming for data collection
Texas Instruments
Software
InterfaceEasyDataTI-84 SmartViewDataQuestTI-Nspire Software
EasyLinkFull support 1 2Full support 2 3Full supportFull support 3
CBL 2 (discontinued)Full support 2 4IncompatibleIncompatibleIncompatible
LabPro (discontinued)Full support 2 4IncompatibleIncompatibleIncompatible
TI-Nspire Lab Cradle (discontinued)IncompatibleIncompatibleFull supportFull support

Compatibility Notes

  1. Use with TI-84 Plus calculators only.
  2. Software does not support the Data Tagging feature that is typically used with this sensor.
  3. Requires an Easy to Go! adapter
  4. CBL 2 and LabPro interfaces cannot be used with TI-84 Plus CE calculators.

Using the Product

Using the Melt Station with LabQuest App

You can connect the Melt Station directly to LabQuest®.

Example Procedure for LabQuest-Based Data Collection

  1. Load a small portion of a solid substance into a capillary tube.
  2. Check the control dial on the Melt Station to confirm that it is in the Off position. Connect the Melt Station power supply to a powered electrical outlet.
  3. Connect the Melt Station to LabQuest. Turn on LabQuest. In a few moments the meter screen will appear and the temperature of the Melt Station’s heating block will be displayed.
  4. Carefully place the capillary tube of solid into one of the three slots in the aluminum heating block of the Melt Station. You can tilt the Melt Station toward you slightly for a better look at the heating block.
  5. Tilt the Melt Station up or down slightly to get the best view of the solid sample through the viewing lens.
  6. The default setting is 100 readings per minute for 20 minutes, which is suitable for most tests. If you want to change the data-collection parameters, tap Mode, in the upper right-hand corner of the meter screen and make the desired changes.
  7. Start data collection. On the Melt Station, turn the control knob to the Rapid Heat area. The red LED will come on, indicating the Melt Station is heating. Rapid Heat will warm your solid sample at a rate of >10°C/min.
  8. Observe the temperature vs. time graph. When the temperature is within about 10°C of the expected melting temperature of your solid sample, turn the control dial to that temperature, which will slow the heating rate to ~1.5°C/min.
  9. Carefully observe your sample. At the first indication of the solid melting, press the Mark button to mark the temperature on your graph. When the entire solid has melted, press the Mark button again to mark the temperature. The two marked points describe the melting temperature range of your solid sample. Tap Data Marks to the right of the graph to label or delete a Mark.
  10. Stop data collection. Tap the File Cabinet icon (upper right-hand corner of the graph screen) to store your first run. On the Melt Station, turn the control knob to the Fan/Cooling setting. The blue LED will come on, indicating the Melt Station is cooling.
  11. Prepare a second solid sample to test. Observe the temperature of the heating block in the meter screen. After the heating block cools to a suitably low temperature, repeat Steps 7–10.

Using the Melt Station with Graphical Analysis

Launch Vernier Graphical Analysis®. Connect the Melt Station to your Chromebook, computer, or mobile device. You will need to use an interface.

Example Procedure for Data Collection with Graphical Analysis

  1. Load a small portion of a solid substance into a capillary tube.
  2. Check the control dial on the Melt Station to confirm that it is in the Off position. Connect the Melt Station power supply to a powered electrical outlet.
  3. Connect the Melt Station to a LabQuest Mini or Go!Link® interface. Launch Graphical Analysis. A default data collection profile will load. The meter will show the temperature of the Melt Station’s heating block.
  4. Carefully place the capillary tube of solid into one of the three slots in the aluminum heating block of the Melt Station. You can tilt the Melt Station toward you slightly for a better look at the heating block.
  5. Tilt the Melt Station up or down slightly to get the best view of the solid sample through the viewing lens.
  6. The default setting is 100 readings per minute for 20 minutes, which is suitable for most tests. If you want to change the data-collection parameters, tap Mode, in the lower left-hand corner of the screen and make the desired changes.
  7. Start data collection. On the Melt Station, turn the control knob to the Rapid Heat area. The red LED will come on, indicating the Melt Station is heating. Rapid Heat will warm your solid sample at a rate of >10°C/min.
  8. Observe the temperature vs. time graph. When the temperature is within about 10°C of the expected melting temperature of your solid sample, turn the control dial to that temperature, which will slow the heating rate to ~1.5°C/min.

  9. Carefully observe your sample. When the solid begins to melt, select Graph Tools, , and then Add Annotation. Enter the temperature. When the entire solid has completely melted, add a second annotation. The two values marked on your graph describe the estimated melting temperature range of your substance.

    Note: If you have Graphical Analysis Pro, it includes a data marking feature. At the first indication of the solid melting, press the Mark button to mark the temperature on your graph. When the entire solid has melted, press the Mark button again to mark the temperature. The two marked points describe the melting temperature range of your solid sample.

  10. Stop data collection. The run is stored automatically in the software. On the Melt Station, turn the control knob to the Fan/Cooling setting. The blue LED will come on, indicating the Melt Station is cooling.
  11. Prepare a second solid sample to test. Observe the temperature of the heating block in the meter screen. After the heating block cools to a suitably low temperature, repeat Steps 7–10.

Videos

There are no videos for this product.

Calibrating the Sensor

The temperature sensor embedded in the aluminum heating block of the Melt Station will never need to be calibrated. The sensor is carefully calibrated before it ships, and this unique calibration is stored on a smart chip in the sensor. Note: There is no method to perform a calibration of this sensor in any of our software programs.

Specifications

Dimensions
  • Base: 13 cm × 15 cm × 1.5 cm
  • Body: 9 cm × 9 cm × 24 cm

Melt Station weight

1.0 kg (2.2 lbs.)

Resolution

0.10°C

Accuracy

± 0.31 + 0.0006T, where T is the temperature in Celsius

Safety shut down

The heating block is automatically powered down after approximately sixty minutes of heating.

Capillary tubes

1.4–1.8 mm outside diameter, 100 mm length

Capillary tube slots

3

Viewing lens

27 mm diameter (functional), 30 mm (actual)

Lighting of capillary slots

3 white LEDs

Lighting of control dial

  • Red LED (indicates heating mode)
  • Blue LED (indicates cooling mode with cooling fan running)
  • Yellow LED (safety shut off activated)

Melt Station + AC adapter weight

1.2 kg (2.6 lbs.)

Range

Ambient to 260°C

Temperature sensor

Class A, Platinum resistance temperature detector (RTD)

Typical

: ± 0.4°C (<200°C); ± 0.5°C (>200°C)

Calibration

Factory calibrated

Power

24VDC to unit, universal AC adapter 100–240 VAC
50–60 Hz input

Power consumption

40W max., < 0.5A @ 110V

Care and Maintenance

Routine Maintenance

Before performing any maintenance on a Melt Station, please note the following safety points.

  • Make sure the unit is unplugged and the heating block is cool before attempting service of any kind.
  • Always wear safety glasses while servicing or cleaning the unit.
  • Do not open the lower case. All user-serviceable parts are accessed by removing the lens panel only.
  • Make sure the unit is properly reassembled and inspected before returning it to the classroom or laboratory.
  • Do not service the unit if any parts are missing or damaged.

Cleaning Outside Surfaces

Clean the outside metal surfaces of the Melt Station with a cloth dampened with a mild detergent solution. Do not use organic solvents to clean the Melt Station.

Removing Broken Capillary Tubes

Follow the steps below to remove a broken capillary tube from the Melt Station. Caution: Do not handle a broken capillary tube with your fingers. Wear safety glasses or safety goggles.

  1. Turn off the Melt Station and allow it to cool to room temperature. Unplug the power cord from the device.
  2. Place the Melt Station unit on its back side so the capillary tube slots are as close to horizontal as possible. This will make it easier to safely remove the glass shards.
  3. Remove the two threaded screws holding the lens panel in place. Set the screws and the viewing lens aside.
  4. Use a 3/32 inch hex key to remove the two screws holding the metal spring fingers in place. Set the screws and spring fingers aside. Use the same hex key to loosen the screw holding the glass window in place. Slide the glass window up to remove it, and set it aside. Caution: The edges of the glass may be sharp.
  5. Use an appropriate tool to carefully remove the broken capillary tube from its slot and deposit it in a glass waste container. If the capillary tube is loose in the slot, you can very carefully tip the Melt Station over to slide the tube into a waste container.
  6. Replace the glass window, metal fingers, and viewing lens. Carefully tighten the screws to be snug rather than extremely tight. Remember that you may want to remove these pieces again in the future.

Do not wrap the cable tightly around the Melt Station for storage. Repeatedly doing so can irreparably damage the wires and is not covered under warranty.

How the Sensor Works

The Melt Station contains an aluminum heating block. There are three slots for capillary tubes in the heating block. A capillary tube containing a solid substance is placed in the heating block and the block is heated by an embedded element. An RTD-based temperature sensor, also embedded in the heating block, measures the temperature of the heating block and therefore the capillary tube of substance. The temperature sensor connects to a Vernier data-collection interface, which allows you to monitor and record readings with Graphical Analysis software or LabQuest App. The substance to be melted is viewed through a 6X lens.

The temperature control on the Melt Station is divided into three regions:

  • The first area, next to the Off position (), is for cooling the heating block after you have completed a melting temperature run. When you turn the control knob to the cooling position, the fan and the blue LED will come on.
  • The second area is divided into specific temperature settings. These temperatures correspond to the expected melting temperature of the substance. You will choose one of these settings when the Melt Station has warmed to within about 10°C of the expected melting temperature of your solid sample. The warming rate will slow to ~1.5°C/min at each of these settings.
  • The third area is Rapid Heat. In Rapid Heat, the Melt Station will warm at a rate of >10°C/min.

Safety Automatic Shut Off

An important safety feature of the Melt Station is the Automatic Shut Off. After you turn the control knob to heating, an internal timer starts a 60-minute countdown. After 60 minutes have elapsed, the Melt Station will automatically turn off the heating element and the yellow LED will come on. To reset the Melt Station, simply turn the control knob to the cooling position or the Off position.

Symbols on the Melt Station Control Dial

 

Off position

 

Cooling fan on
 

Rapid heating; heating rate at >10°C/min

Features of the Melt Station

  • A Gimbal mount allows you to tilt the Melt Station for easy placement of the capillary tube in the heating block and adjust the viewing angle of the lens.
  • Uses simple, direct temperature control.
  • LED indicator lighting informs you when the Melt Station is heating (red), cooling (blue), or on auto shut down (yellow).
  • A cooling fan greatly reduces the time between tests. In most cases, the Melt Station will be ready for the next test in 2–3 minutes.
  • Data graphed using the Data Mark software feature (available with LabQuest and Graphical Analysis Pro) allows you to mark the beginning and ending of the melting temperature range.
  • An excellent viewing window containing a 6X lens with a typical viewing distance of 5 inches offers a clear view of the capillary tubes up to two feet away. The viewing area is illuminated with focused LED lighting.
  • An automatic shut off after approximately 60 minutes of heating provides added safety.

Troubleshooting

For troubleshooting and FAQs, see www.vernier.com/til/2321

Repair Information

If you have watched the related product video(s), followed the troubleshooting steps, and are still having trouble with your Melt Station, contact Vernier Technical Support at support@vernier.com or call 888-837-6437. Support specialists will work with you to determine if the unit needs to be sent in for repair. At that time, a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number will be issued and instructions will be communicated on how to return the unit for repair.

Accessories/Replacements

Item Order Code

Melt Station Capillary Tubes

MLT-TUBE

Replacement Melt Station Power Supply

MLT-PS

Warranty

Warranty information for this product can be found on the Support tab at www.vernier.com/mlt-bta/#support

General warranty information can be found at www.vernier.com/warranty

Disposal

When disposing of this electronic product, do not treat it as household waste. Its disposal is subject to regulations that vary by country and region. This item should be given to an applicable collection point for the recycling of electrical and electronic equipment. By ensuring that this product is disposed of correctly, you help prevent potential negative consequences on human health or on the environment. The recycling of materials will help to conserve natural resources. For more detailed information about recycling this product, contact your local city office or your disposal service.

Battery recycling information is available at www.call2recycle.org

Do not puncture or expose the battery to excessive heat or flame.

The symbol, shown here, indicates that this product must not be disposed of in a standard waste container.

Contact Support

Fill out our online support form or call us toll-free at 1-888-837-6437.

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