KERN DBS 60-3 Halogen Moisture Analyser, 60 g / 0.001 g (0.01 %), graphic display

Precision for demanding quality control: The KERN DBS 60-3 halogen moisture analyser

The precise determination of moisture content in raw materials, intermediate products and finished goods is an absolutely business-critical factor in virtually every modern production and laboratory environment. Whether in the food industry to determine the shelf life of cereals and baked goods, in plastics processing to prevent air pockets during injection moulding caused by granules that are too moist, or in pharmaceutical quality control – even the slightest deviations in moisture content can severely compromise the quality of the end product and lead to immense financial losses. It is precisely for these highly sensitive and strictly regulated areas of application that KERN has developed the professional halogen moisture analyser DBS 60-3 (MPN DBS 60-3). This intelligent and high-performance measuring instrument replaces the time-consuming, traditional drying method using a conventional drying oven and provides you with highly precise, reproducible moisture readings within a few minutes, right at your laboratory workstation.

Powerful and uniform halogen technology

At the technological heart of the KERN DBS 60-3 lies an extremely powerful halogen quartz glass emitter with an output of 400 watts. Compared directly with conventional infrared emitters or metallic heating coils, halogen technology offers the decisive advantage of heat generation with virtually no delay. The target temperature is reached in record time, which significantly shortens the overall duration of the drying process. Furthermore, the sophisticated geometry of the emitter within the enclosed sample chamber ensures absolutely homogeneous and uniform heat distribution across the entire surface of the aluminium sample dish. This reliably prevents so-called ‘hotspots’ (localised overheating), which could lead to undesirable burning or charring on the surface of the sample. The drying temperature can be set via the control panel in fine 1 °C increments across an extremely wide temperature range from 50 °C to a maximum of 200 °C, making the instrument ideally suited to a vast spectrum of different materials.

Outstanding resolution for tiny sample quantities

The performance of the heating system is complemented by a high-precision load cell. The KERN DBS 60-3 offers a weighing range of up to 60 grams, which is more than sufficient for the vast majority of routine applications in moisture analysis. The real highlight of this model, however, lies in its outstanding readability of 0.001 gram (which corresponds exactly to a moisture content of 0.01 per cent). This extremely fine resolution is essential when working with very valuable, expensive or hard-to-obtain samples, where only very small sample weights (for example, 2 to 5 grams) can be used for analysis. Even with these minimal sample quantities, the balance reliably detects fractions of a milligram of evaporated water and uses this to calculate a mathematically precise, reliable moisture profile.

Four intelligent drying profiles for maximum flexibility

Not every sample can be dried in the same way. A liquid resin behaves completely differently when exposed to heat than a dry powder or a pasty food sample. To take this into account, the KERN DBS 60-3 is equipped with four different, freely selectable heating profiles. Standard drying heats the sample rapidly to the set temperature and maintains it at a constant level. Rapid drying slightly exceeds the target temperature in the first few minutes to maximise the drying process for very moist samples. Gentle drying, on the other hand, increases the heat very slowly and gently – the perfect choice for temperature-sensitive, sugary or high-fat samples that tend to form a skin when exposed to sudden heat. The system is rounded off by step drying, which allows you to programme different temperature plateaus; for example, to first drive off free surface water and then chemically bound crystal water separately.

Automation through smart shutdown criteria

Another huge advantage in day-to-day laboratory work is the intelligent automation of the drying termination process. You no longer need to stand next to the instrument and monitor the weight loss manually. The DBS 60-3 features an automatic shut-off (weight stop): The instrument terminates the measurement entirely autonomously as soon as the weight loss per unit of time falls below a minimum threshold defined by you (e.g. less than 1 mg in 60 seconds). Alternatively, you can also end the drying process purely on a time-controlled basis (e.g. exactly 15 minutes) or completely manually at the touch of a button. To save you time with recurring routine analyses, the internal programme memory can store up to 10 fully predefined drying processes. A single press of a button is all it takes for the instrument to retrieve the exact temperature, heating profile and shutdown criterion for your specific sample.

Ergonomics, readability and GLP-compliant documentation

The large, backlit graphic LCD display guides you intuitively through the entire measurement process in multiple languages. You can view all critical parameters in real time at any moment: the current moisture content as a percentage, the remaining weight in grams, the current actual temperature in the heating chamber, and the active drying time elapsed so far. An integrated progress indicator also visualises the status of the measurement. In professionally managed quality management systems (in accordance with GLP/ISO standards), complete traceability is essential. Via the integrated RS-232 data interface, you can easily connect the KERN DBS 60-3 to an optional dot matrix or thermal printer, as well as to a laboratory PC. At the end of each measurement, the system generates a measurement report that complies with standards, containing not only the exact results but also the date, the exact time and the balance’s individual identification number. A temperature calibration kit, available to order separately, can also be used to check the heating chamber regularly, thereby demonstrating consistent conditions for audits.

Technical data

• Weighing range (max): 60 g
• Weight readability (d): 0.001 g
• Moisture readability: 0.01 %
• Reproducibility (2 g sample): 0.15 %
• Reproducibility (10 g sample): 0.02 %
• Heating technology: Halogen quartz glass heater (400 watts)
• Temperature range: 50 °C to 200 °C (selectable in 1 °C increments)
• Drying modes: Standard, Fast, Gentle, Stages
• Shut-off criteria: Automatic, Timed, Manual
• Programme memory: 10 memory slots for complete drying cycles
• Display: Large graphic LCD, backlit (digit height 15 mm)
• Sample dishes: Ø 90 mm
• Interface: RS-232 for PC or printer
• Dimensions (W×D×H): 204 × 336 × 167 mm
• Net weight: approx. 4.6 kg

Contents

• 1 x KERN DBS 60-3 halogen moisture analyser
• 10 x aluminium sample dishes (Ø 90 mm)
• 1 x protective cover for the keypad
• 1 x mains lead
• 1 x Detailed operating instructions / application manual

Individual requirements & accessories

Please note that the 10 aluminium dishes supplied will be used up quickly. We strongly recommend ordering a bulk pack (e.g. 80 pieces) of the original KERN aluminium sample dishes (Ø 90 mm) at the same time. Do you work with samples that splash heavily, contain grease or are very liquid? If so, optimise your results by using KERN glass fibre round filters. These distribute the liquid evenly and significantly speed up the drying process. Please feel free to contact our procurement service for accessories or a DAkkS calibration certificate.