ASTM D7647-10 Ready
The system meets the requirements of ASTM D7647-10, in which oil samples are diluted prior to testing to eliminate interferences from “soft” particles.
Benchtop auto-diluting particle counter for in-house labs
The full CINRG auto-dilution methodology in a benchtop footprint — eliminating soft-particle interference for in-house oil-analysis programs without the floor space of a full-format system.
The system meets the requirements of ASTM D7647-10, in which oil samples are diluted prior to testing to eliminate interferences from “soft” particles.
Samples are batched into 2 oz (32 ml) sample cups placed in a 24-position sample tray (22 sample, 1 cleaning, 1 solvent verification).
Samples don't require accurate dispensing — the system measures the volume in each cup automatically to an accuracy of ±2% prior to dilution.
The CS-APC-22M is a fully automated system that meets the requirements of ASTM D7647-10. Oil samples are diluted with solvent prior to testing to eliminate interferences from “soft” particles such as water, varnish, and suspended liquid additives.
The system combines components from several leading equipment manufacturers with innovative technology and sophisticated software developed by WearCheck for use in their oil-analysis laboratory. The system has a high degree of flexibility and can be customized to suit local laboratory processing requirements.
A batch of samples is prepared by pouring suitable volumes of homogenized oil into 2 oz (32 ml) sample cups placed in a 24-position sample tray (22 sample, 1 cleaning, 1 verification). Samples don't have to be accurately dispensed — the system measures the volume in each cup to ±2% prior to dilution. All samples are diluted to a final volume of 30 ml.
If higher accuracy than ±2% is desired, samples may be pipetted or weighed into the cups, and the sample volume (or weight and density) included in the system's batch file.
Samples are diluted prior to testing, and dilution ratios can be varied between 1:0 (no dilution) and 1:9 (one part oil, nine parts solvent). A 1:4 dilution, for example, is more than adequate for an oil sample with a viscosity of 1,000 cSt @ 40°C.
Samples can be processed without dilution if required, but viscosity should be ≤46 cSt for that workflow.
A batch file containing both sample information and processing parameters drives the application software. It can be created within the software or imported from CSV. Sample information includes ID, tray position, and optionally a sample volume or weight and density.
Processing parameters control how each sample is prepared: stir speed and duration, degas behavior, report format (ISO 4406 or AS4059). Parameters are typically 1–4, with the actual values defined in system parameters editable by the end user.
Before any testing, the cleanliness of the dilution-solvent batch is determined to obtain the count data later used to correct results for the effects of dilution. Solvent is loaded into position 1 (system flush) and position 2 (measurement). Several measurements are taken and validated against user-editable system parameters.
When sufficient data has been collected, average count values are calculated from valid measurements and stored as the solvent background counts for subsequent calculations.
| Sample throughput | 3.5 min/sample (1¼ hrs for a complete 22-sample tray)* 130–140 samples per 8-hour shift* |
| Solvent usage | 35 ml/sample** |
| Sample batch size | 22 samples (24-position tray; pos 1 = cleaning beaker, pos 2 = verification solvent) |
* Throughput rate is directly dependent on the settings of the processing parameters; specification stated is using default parameters.
** Solvent usage depends on dilution ratios and processing parameters; specification stated is for 1:1 dilution using default parameters.
| Model | KLOTZ LDS 45/50 Laser Sensor |
| Measuring range | 4µm to 70µm (3µm to 200µm oil calibration range) |
| 4µm co-incidence threshold | 25,000 particles/ml (undiluted sample) 50,000 particles/ml (1:1 dilution) |
| Cell dimensions | 450µm × 500µm |
| Flow rate | 10 to 50 ml/min (CS-APC-22M calibrated at 30 ml/min) |
| Model | KLOTZ USB Counter |
| Number of channels | 4,096 |
| Model | Baumer UNKC 09 |
| Accuracy | ±0.1 mm from 3 mm to 150 mm |
| Dimensions | 16½″(W) × 20½″(H) × 24″(D) (42 cm × 53 cm × 61 cm) |
| Weight | 68 lbs (31 kg) |
| Voltage requirement | 100–120–230/240 VAC selectable, 50/60 Hz |
| Input current | 3.5 A @ 120 V |
Protected by patents US 9,164,019 · US 8,689,651 · CA 2,791,003 · CA 2,809,251 · UE 2,912,473. Other patents pending.
Common questions about the benchtop auto-diluting particle counter.
No. The CS-APC-22M is a benchtop in-house instrument, not a field-portable counter. It needs a stable bench, mains power (100–230 VAC, 3.5 A @ 120 V), a ventilated location for solvent handling, and a PC running the CINRG software. Its purpose is to bring full-format ASTM D7647-10 capability to small in-house labs, not to travel to the equipment.
The CS-APC-22M is a fundamentally different class of instrument. Portable counters typically run undiluted samples and report inflated counts on water, varnish, and additive-loaded fluids — the soft-particle problem ASTM D7647 was written to solve. The CS-APC-22M auto-dilutes every sample with 75/25 toluene/IPA, eliminating that interference. It also fully automates the workflow (22 samples per tray, ~3.5 min/sample) and integrates with LIMS via CSV. The trade-off is that it’s a benchtop instrument, not a field-portable one.
Yes. Both use the same KLOTZ LDS 45/50 sensor, the same 4–70µm measuring range, the same auto-dilution methodology, and produce equivalent count data. The CS-APC-3 is a high-throughput production instrument with a 104-position tray; the CS-APC-22M is a 24-position benchtop unit (22 sample, 1 cleaning, 1 verification). For a lab that needs 130–140 samples per shift, both deliver the same per-tray throughput — the CS-APC-3 just lets you load more trays before reloading.
Yes. CINRG instruments are the only laser particle counters that support on-site calibration by the customer. The CINSTAN Calibration Kit (CS-CINSTAN-CFK) plus the CS-CFSK calibration hardware kit, combined with a detailed step-by-step SOP and an automated Excel calculation template, lets a trained technician complete annual sizing-calibration on-site without sending the instrument back to the manufacturer. A pre-calibration sensor-noise check confirms signal-to-noise ratio is ≥1.5 (preferred) or ≥1.2 (minimum) before calibration begins.
About 35 mL of dilution solvent per sample at 1:1 dilution with default parameters. A typical 22-sample tray run consumes well under one litre of toluene/IPA, including system flushes and the verification position. Higher dilution ratios (1:4, 1:9) increase solvent use proportionally; very dirty or high-viscosity samples that need 1:9 will use about 200 mL each.
Yes. The batch file is a plain CSV that can be exported from any LIMS or built in Excel: sample number, tray position, processing parameters, optionally sample volume or weight/density. Result files are also CSV with all standard ISO 4406, AS4059, and NAS 1638 outputs alongside raw counts at 4, 6, 14, 21, 38, and 70µm. System parameters control whether solvent background, sample volume, and dilution ratio are included in the export.
The CS-APC-22M flags any sample whose number begins with the configurable PCS prefix (default: “PCS”) and compares its count data in the 4, 6, and 14µm channels against user-defined upper/lower control limits. If a PCS fails, you can configure the system either to flag and continue or to stop the run automatically — preventing scrap-sample throughput when the instrument has drifted out of control. PCS results are written to a separate output file for trending.
The CS-APC-22M measures 16½″ W × 20½″ H × 24″ D (42×53×61 cm) and weighs 68 lb (31 kg). It fits on a standard laboratory bench. Power is 100–120 / 230–240 VAC selectable, 50/60 Hz, 3.5 A @ 120 V, from a single outlet. Solvent venting (toluene/IPA) follows your lab’s standard organic-solvent handling protocol.
Tell us about your throughput, your test methods, and your facility. A CINRG engineer will help you scope the right configuration — and put you in touch with your nearest dealer.
