Automatic Vacuum Mass Comparators

The pre-pump

It works on the principle of mechanical suction of gases and their compression. Its main task is to reduce the pressure to a level where the turbomolecular pumps can operate effectively. These pumps are capable of producing a vacuum of 10^-3  to 10^-4 hPa.

The turbomolecular pump

It uses impellers rotating at very high speeds to accelerate gas molecules. These molecules are “pulled” into the pump by the action of centrifugal force. It allows much lower pressures (up to 10^-10 hPa) than pre-pumps.

 

Convenience and Full Control over the Process

The high-performance vacuum gauges used in the device allow the vacuum values to be monitored and compared in order to determine when the valve can be opened and the gauge replaced. A specially made viewfinder allows the entire process to be monitored. During mass standards exchange, air enters directly into the main chamber of the comparator. Each time it is opened, the air must be pumped out to the correct vacuum value. The vacuum comparator requires approximately 48 hours to reach a vacuum value that ensures repeatability of measurements.

Automatic calibration mechanism

with the possibility of replacing the calibration mass standard with a mass standard of lesser mass to check the sensitivity of the comparator.

Comparison capability in a noble gas atmosphere

A key element in the design of the comparator is a specially designed vacuum chamber that allows measurements to be carried out under vacuum conditions of 10^-6 mbar or in a noble gas atmosphere. This enables stable and repeatable results even under the most demanding conditions.

6-position mass standard magazine

It allows automatic exchange of mass standards during the measuring process.

Self-centring weighing pan

This is a component of the comparator which ensures that the mass standard is always in the centre of the pan, regardless of its initial position. It eliminates the problem of eccentricity.

Thermohygrobarometer

It exercises comprehensive control over the precision measurement environment, increasing accuracy and improving repeatability.

Anti-vibration table with granite top

It eliminates the effects of ambient vibration to keep measurements stable during weighing. You receive the table together with the comparator.

Intuitive control

The AVK 1000.5Y comparator is not only efficient, but also intuitive to use thanks to the 10’’ touchscreen display, which allows easy management of the device’s functions. In addition, security of use is ensured through a variety of authentication methods, including passwords, RFID tags*, fingerprint readers and facial recognition mechanisms.

* RFID ISO/IEC 14443 Type A, 13.56 MHz

6-position mass standards magazine

It allows automatic exchange of the mass standards during the measuring process. This means that the comparator can store up to six different standards with a maximum weight of 1 kg, allowing a series of measurements to be carried out without manual intervention. Such storage is particularly useful in metrology environments where precision, automation and efficiency are key

Self-centring weighing pan

This is a component of the comparator which ensures that the mass standard is always in the centre of the pan, regardless of its initial position. Such a pan eliminates the problem of eccentricity.

Thermohygrobarometer

The AVK-1000.5Y.CP is equipped with a thermohygrobarometer with impressive accuracy, which monitors key ambient parameters: pressure (0.001 hPa), humidity (0.01%) and temperature (0.001°C). This means that the thermohygrobarometer exercises comprehensive control over the environment in which precise measurements are taken, increasing accuracy and improving repeatability.

Anti-vibration table with granite top

Aims to eliminate the effects of ambient vibrations on measurement accuracy. The granite top is resistant to vibration and temperature and therefore maintains measurement stability during weighing. You receive the table together with the comparator.

Viewfinder

Allows the operator to observe the inside of the measuring chamber without having to open it.

Versatility

Allows the calibration of cylindrical mass standards ø (22-95) x 110 and silicon spheres ø 40-100 mm, making it a versatile tool for various metrology institutions.

High-tech control

All this could not work if it were not for our innovative 5Y terminal. 

10-inch display

A larger screen – 10’’ – means more information in one place. On the 5Y terminal you will see up to 3 screens, widgets, graphs, statuses, notes, handy measurement history. In addition, the 5Y terminal is equipped with a range of communication interfaces, i.e. 2 x USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, Ethernet and Wi-Fi.

* RFID ISO/IEC 14443 Type A, 13.56 MHz

RADWAG-manufactured AVK-1000 automatic vacuum mass comparator is intended for national metrological institutes that transfer and maintain the national reference mass standard of 1 kg.

The comparator is intended for weighing mass standards and silicone spheres of 100 mm diameter. It enables comparison of up to 6 prototypes of max 1kg mass. The repeatability of the process is of 0.3 µg and readability of d = 0.1 µg.

A specially designed vacuum chamber enables carrying out measurements in a vacuum of 10-6 mbar capacity or in atmosphere containing noble gases.

AVK-1000 is equipped with suspended weighing pan that eliminates eccentricity errors.

Standard version of the mass comparator features thermo-hygro-barometer for testing ambient conditions with great accuracy: pressure of 0.001hPa, humidity of 0.01% and temperature of 0.001 °C.
The comparator is also equipped with high quality vacuum gauge.

The AVK-1000 vacuum mass comparator can be equipped with the LOAD LOCK system for carrying mass standards. The system enables switching or adding artefacts without changing the atmosphere inside the main chamber. With the use of a special chamber for mass standards switching the whole process is 90% shorter.
During mass standards replacement carried out without the use of the LOAD LOCK system, the air enters the main chamber of the mass comparator. After each opening of the chamber it is necessary to pump the air out in order to obtain required vacuum value. The vacuum mass comparator needs approx. 48 hours in order to obtain vacuum that ensures measurement repeatability.

The LOAD LOCK is equipped with a high-efficiency pump system, the time of pumping the air out in order to enable opening of the valve of the main chamber is significantly shortened. The stabilization of the main chamber after replacing/adding the mass standard and closing the valve connecting the main chamber and the LOAD LOCK system takes 5 hours.

The high-quality vacuum gauges enable monitoring and comparing the vacuum value in order to determine the moment when opening the valve again and replacing the mass standard is available. A specially designed viewfinder enables monitoring of the process.

The LOAD LOCK enables switching objects of dimensions adapted to the AVK-1000 mass comparator: cylindrical mass standards of 22-95 mm diameter and silicone spheres of 40-100 mm diameter.

Supplementing the AVK-1000 vacuum mass comparator with LOAD LOCK system significantly improves the comparison performance.