Each rheometer receives some degree of modification for each customer, customised in hardware, software, and/or thermal accessories to create an instrument better suited for each application
Fluid Dynamics says it is taking customer service to an extreme in 2005.
Each T2SR rheometer receives some degree of modification for each customer.
"We like this approach to customer service, since it gives us flexibility that many of our competitors do not have", says the company's technology director Rhyta Rounds.
"This has brought the level of customer service at Fluid Dynamics and Celsum Technologies to new standards.
"Because each customer measuring rheology changes during curing reactions typically has individual needs, an off-the-shelf rheometer just hasn't fit the bill in too many cases.
"As a result, each instrument is now customised in hardware, software, and/or thermal accessories to create an instrument better suited for each application.
"Previously sold instruments are also being upgraded and modified with changes the customer may require, frequently at minimal cost.
"While this has created a bit of stir at Fluid Dynamics, and its UK sales distributor Celsum Technologies, the extra effort has been worthwhile.
"We hope that this develops an environment where our customers know that we listen to their needs, try to translate this learning into useful tools they can use in their industrial/academic work, and hope that we produce long term relationships with our client base", adds Rounds.
"While this has been costly on our part, we have the advantage of being small and very well suited for making effective design changes quickly".
Sales forecasts and leads for the balance of the year indicate that the effort may well be worthwhile.
The T2SR rheometer was designed to be easily transitioned from R and D to QC.
Being portable and well priced, with straightforward software, Fluid Dynamics says it has also taken this transition one more step forward.
A PDA software program called the T2SR-QC has been launched with a wireless transmitter for instrument control and data acquisition.
This is a custom software package with a preprogrammed test that a QC technician can readily execute with automatic data storage.
This has been a new addition to the line of accessories available for the T2SR rheometer.
Examples of instrument modifications that have been made and beta tested by potential customers include customised sample containers and tools, using materials of construction requested by the customers to their specifications, unique heating cells built to accommodate the custom sample containers, different tool collars for easy load and release, etc.
"There really is no limit to the changes we are willing to make to build a better rheometer monitoring rheology changes in reactive polymer systems at elevated temperatures", says Fluid Dynamics.
