TUBE STAND FOR ENAMEL RATER

IS9017

CHECKS THE COATING POROSITY OF ALUMINUM COLLAPSIBLE TUBES TO AVOID CORROSION

The IS9017 tube stand is an enamel rating station built specifically for aluminum collapsible tubes. Three contact blocks grip the tube by its shoulder and center it automatically between the adjustable pillars, so tubes from 10 mm up to 57 mm in diameter and up to 320 mm tall all sit square on the stand without a fixture change.

Titanium probes carry the test current, so the parts that sit in the electrolyte every day do not corrode and contact resistance stays stable. A tube contact check confirms that all three blocks are touching the tube before a reading is taken, a height-adjustable level probe confirms the electrolyte is at the set level, and a built-in test knob switches calibration verification resistors into the circuit to give known 3, 10 and 19 mA readings, so an operator can prove the measuring chain at the bench in seconds.

Separate knobs set the arm height, the main probe height and the level probe height, so the geometry is matched to a tube format once and then left alone. Contact voltage sensing adjusts the test voltage automatically during the test, and measurement starts on its own as soon as the level probe reaches the electrolyte, so the gauge never needs resetting between tubes. A Teflon splash guard keeps electrolyte from bridging across the probes and the base wipes clean after a spill.

The stand connects directly to the IS810 EnamelPro™ enamel rating gauge, which applies and adjusts the test voltage, localizes defects with reverse polarity and logs every result to Innolytix® QA software. The IS9029 Light Probe can be added to light the inside of the tube so faults are easy to locate during the test.

Tube stand features

Features of the IS9017 tube stand for enamel raters
Features
Purpose-Built for Collapsible Tubes – the pillars, contact blocks and probes are designed around aluminum collapsible tubes rather than adapted from a can fixture
Automatic Tube Centering – three contact blocks grip the tube by the shoulder and center it between the adjustable pillars, so every tube sits in the same place
Wide Tube Range – one stand covers tubes from 10 mm to 57 mm in diameter and up to 320 mm in height
Titanium Probes – the contacts that sit in the electrolyte every day are titanium, not plated steel, so they do not rust or drift
Tube Contact Check – confirms the tube is correctly contacted before a reading is taken, because bad contacts are the main cause of unreliable enamel ratings
Built-In Calibration Verification – a test knob switches fixed resistors into the circuit for known 3, 10 and 19 mA readings, so calibration and linearity can be confirmed as part of the standard operating procedure
Height-Adjustable Level Probe – a dedicated knob sets the electrolyte level, so every tube is tested against the same volume
Automatic Contact Voltage Sensing – test voltage is adjusted automatically during the test, removing an operator setting from the procedure
Hands-Free Operation – measurement starts as soon as the level probe reaches the electrolyte, so there is no reset between tubes
Teflon Splash Guard – reduces the risk of electrolyte reaching across the probes
Alligator Clip Contact Cables – two supplied banana-plug cables contact awkward tube and cap designs directly when the contact blocks cannot reach a conductive edge
Corrosion-Resistant Throughout – plastic, stainless steel and titanium construction with durable, water-resistant rubber cables for a harsh enamel rating environment

Benefits of the IS9017 tube stand

Benefits of the IS9017 tube stand
Benefits
Catch corrosion before your customer does – a porous internal lacquer lets the filling attack the aluminum; enamel rating finds it at the bench instead of in the market
Prevent customer complaints – tubes that would fail in service are identified before they are filled and shipped
Attain the tube’s maximum lifespan – an intact internal coating is what keeps a filled tube stable for its full shelf life
Effortless, repeatable contact – automatic centering and the contact check remove the two most common sources of operator error
Verification built into the SOP – the test knob lets calibration and linearity be confirmed at every shift change, not just at annual calibration
Longer service life – nothing in the wetted path corrodes, so the stand keeps its accuracy year after year
Audit-ready data – paired with the IS810 EnamelPro™ and Innolytix®, every reading is captured, timestamped and reportable

Tube formats, handling and integration

How aluminum collapsible tubes are handled and tested on the IS9017
Tube formats, handling and integration
Tube range – aluminum collapsible tubes from 10 mm to 57 mm in diameter and up to 320 mm in height
Loading – raise the arm, pull one contact plate to separate the blocks, seat the tube so its shoulder is gripped by all three blocks, then push it down and lower the arm over it
Difficult tube and cap shapes – where the blocks cannot reach a conductive edge, the two supplied banana-plug cables and alligator clips make contact directly; caps wider than the tube should be removed before testing
Height adjustment – separate knobs set the arm height, the main probe height and the level probe height; the probe tip must not touch the closed end of the tube
Electrolyte – the tube is filled by syringe or dropper to the height set on the level probe; the base takes an optional M12 drain tube, and the IS9024 Electrolyte Management System can fill and empty semi-automatically
Level check limits – level checking needs a tube opening of at least 15 mm; for narrower tubes the level check interlock is switched off at the gauge
Integration – the stand connects to the IS810 EnamelPro™ gauge, which applies the test voltage, localizes defects and streams results to Innolytix®
Sharing one gauge – with the IS228B switchbox a tube stand and a can stand can share the same electronics unit, selected with a knob instead of unplugging

Compatible Systems

Systems compatible with the IS9017 tube stand
System Role
IS810 EnamelPro™ The semi-automatic enamel rating gauge the IS9017 connects to. It applies the test voltage, localizes defects with reverse polarity and logs every reading.
IS1100 Innolytix® QA Software Captures gauge output over RS232 and RS485 and visualizes enamel rating data in dashboards, line graphs and heat maps.
IS9029 Light Probe Optional. Lights the inside of the tube so coating faults are easy to see and locate during enamel rating.
IS228B Enamel Rater Switchbox Optional. Connects two different enamel rater probes to one electronics unit — for example this tube stand and a can stand — and selects between them with a knob instead of unplugging.

Tube stand spare parts

Replaceable parts and consumables for the IS9017 tube stand
Spare Part Description
Contact block assembly (215-45160-10) The blocks that grip and center the tube and carry the test current. Supplied singly and replaceable without returning the stand.
Titanium probe set The main probe and level probe contacts that sit in the electrolyte.
Contact cable set The two banana-plug cables with alligator clips used to contact awkward tube and cap designs.
Tube stopper The stopper that locates the tube at the center of the base.
Teflon splash guard The guard that reduces the risk of electrolyte reaching across the probes.
Test solution (electrolyte) Consumable. Ask for the correct formulation and volume for your tube range.

Part numbers depend on your tube range and build. Ask for a quote and we will confirm the correct spares for your IS9017.

Tube stand specifications

Key specifications of the IS9017 tube stand for enamel raters
Specifications Value
Application Enamel rating (coating porosity) of aluminum collapsible tubes
Gauge Used with Innosen’s IS810 EnamelPro™ Enamel Rating Gauge
Maximum tube height 320 mm (12.60 in)
Maximum tube diameter 57 mm (2.24 in)
Minimum tube diameter 10 mm (0.39 in)
Minimum diameter for level check 15 mm (0.59 in). The level check interlock can be switched off at the gauge for narrower tubes
Quality measurement Test knob with built-in verification resistors giving fixed 3, 10 and 19 mA readings to confirm calibration and linearity
Level probe Height-adjustable. Ensures the correct level of test solution
Tube contact check Confirms correct contact of the tube before measurement
Contact voltage sensing Voltage is adjusted automatically during the test
Tube centering Three adjustable contact blocks center the tube automatically
Probe material Titanium
Drain connection M12 thread for an optional drain tube (not supplied)
Dimensions of the tube stand 24.2 cm (w) x 50.5 cm (h) x 17.6 cm (l)
Standard Compliance RoHS, WEEE, CE

Frequently asked questions about the IS9017 tube stand

What tube sizes does the IS9017 handle?

One stand covers aluminum collapsible tubes from 10 mm to 57 mm in diameter and up to 320 mm in height. Three adjustable contact blocks grip the tube by its shoulder and center it automatically, so changing from one tube format to another does not require a fixture change.

Why does the level check need a tube opening of at least 15 mm?

The level probe has to reach down inside the tube and touch the electrolyte to confirm the fill height. Below a 15 mm opening it cannot do that reliably, so for narrower tubes the level check interlock is switched off at the gauge and the fill is set by the level probe height alone.

How do I test a tube the contact blocks cannot grip?

Some tube and cap designs leave no conductive edge for the blocks to reach. Two banana-plug cables with alligator clips are supplied for this: fit the plugs into the shafts nearest the column and clip onto a conductive edge of the tube. Caps wider than the tube itself should be removed before testing.

How do I confirm the stand and gauge are reading correctly?

A test knob switches fixed verification resistors into the circuit, giving known readings of 3, 10 and 19 mA. Because it takes seconds, calibration and linearity can be confirmed at every shift change rather than only at annual calibration. Return the knob to the measurement position before testing.

Which gauge does the IS9017 work with, and can two stands share one?

The IS9017 connects to the IS810 EnamelPro™ enamel rating gauge, which applies the test voltage, localizes defects and logs every reading. With the optional IS228B switchbox, a tube stand and a can stand can share a single electronics unit instead of each needing its own.

Why are the probes titanium?

The probes sit in electrolyte every working day. Titanium does not corrode there, so contact resistance stays stable and readings do not drift as the parts age. Plated steel contacts degrade in the same conditions and are a common cause of results that slowly wander out of specification.

IS810 EnamelPro semi-automatic enamel rating gauge

SEMI-AUTOMATIC ENAMEL RATER IS810 EnamelPro™

High resolution electronics with advanced test monitoring feature in a rugged waterproof casing.

Missing Lacquer Detector IS641/IS651

LIGHT PROBE IS9029

Lights up the inside of a tube / can to make it easy to see faults during enamel rating tests.

IS9015-NA-225px

CAN STAND FOR ENAMEL RATER IS9015

For measuring coating porosity on the widest possible range of can shapes and sizes. 

Missing Lacquer Detector IS641/IS651

END / CAP/ FLAT SHEET ADAPTER FOR ENAMEL RATER IS9020TMR

For measuring coating porosity on a wide range of ends, caps and flat sheets of different types, materials and sizes. 

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