Sun Scientific CR-100 touch panel rheometer

Rheometers | Sun Scientific

CR-100

Compact, powerful precision rheometer with touch panel operation. 120mm stroke, 5 measurement modes, standalone or PC-connected.

Product Overview

The Sun Scientific CR-100 is a compact benchtop rheometer designed for laboratories that need reliable physical property testing without the complexity of a full research-grade instrument. Equipped with an intuitive touch panel interface, the CR-100 allows operators to configure tests, execute measurements, and review results directly on the device — no external PC required.

With a 120mm stroke length, five versatile measurement modes, and a load range spanning 0.01N to 100N, the CR-100 covers a broad spectrum of material characterization tasks. From compression and tension testing to penetration and peel analysis, this instrument delivers consistent, repeatable results across diverse sample types and industries.

The CR-100 is the ideal entry-level texture analyzer for quality control labs, small production facilities, and educational institutions. Its compact footprint fits comfortably on any laboratory bench, while its standalone operation capability means it can be deployed quickly without IT infrastructure or specialized software installation.

Whether you are measuring bread firmness, pharmaceutical tablet hardness, or cosmetic cream consistency, the CR-100 provides the precision and ease-of-use that routine testing demands. USB connectivity allows straightforward data export for documentation and reporting when needed.

How It Works

The CR-100 operates through its built-in color touch panel, providing a step-by-step workflow for test setup and execution. Operators select a measurement mode, set speed and distance parameters, and initiate the test — all from the touchscreen. Real-time force-displacement data is displayed graphically during measurement, and results including peak force, distance, and area can be reviewed immediately after each test.

In standalone mode, the CR-100 functions entirely independently. Test protocols are configured on the touch panel, data is stored on the device, and results are viewed on-screen. This mode is ideal for production floor QC stations or teaching labs where simplicity and speed are priorities.

In PC-connected mode, the CR-100 connects via USB to a Windows computer running Sun Scientific's analysis software. This enables advanced data analysis, custom report generation, and centralized data management — useful for R&D environments or facilities requiring detailed documentation and statistical process control.

The instrument's five measurement modes support both compression (pushing into a sample) and tension (pulling a sample apart) testing, enabling comprehensive physical property characterization across soft and semi-rigid materials.

Applications

  • Food Testing — Bread firmness (TPA), gel strength, rice texture, noodle elasticity, fruit ripeness, and confectionery consistency. The CR-100 is widely used in food manufacturing QC for texture profiling and shelf-life studies.
  • Pharmaceutical — Tablet hardness testing, capsule shell strength, and dissolution testing support. Ensures dosage form integrity and compliance with pharmacopeial standards.
  • Cosmetics — Cream viscosity characterization, gel rigidity measurement, lipstick hardness, and lotion spreadability. Helps formulators optimize product feel and consistency.
  • Education — University material science and food science laboratories. The CR-100's intuitive touch panel and affordable price point make it an excellent teaching instrument for hands-on rheology courses.
  • Packaging — Peel strength of adhesive bonds, seal integrity testing, and packaging material compression. Ensures packaging performance meets quality and safety requirements.

Why Choose the CR-100

  • Touch Screen Simplicity — Intuitive interface requires minimal training. Operators can be productive within minutes.
  • No PC Required — Fully standalone operation means lower total cost of ownership and faster deployment.
  • Compact Footprint — Fits on any bench. Ideal for space-constrained labs and production environments.
  • Affordable Entry Point — Professional-grade texture analysis at a fraction of the cost of research instruments.
  • USB Data Export — Easily transfer test data to PCs for reporting, archiving, and further analysis.
  • Sun Scientific Quality — Built with the precision engineering and reliability that Sun Scientific is known for in physical property testing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the CR-100 require a PC to operate?

No. The CR-100 features a built-in touch panel that allows fully standalone operation. You can configure tests, run measurements, and view results directly on the device without connecting to a PC. A PC connection via USB is available for extended data analysis and reporting if needed.

What is the maximum load the CR-100 can measure?

The CR-100 can measure loads from 0.01N (1g) up to 100N (10kg), making it suitable for a wide range of soft to semi-rigid material testing applications including food products, pharmaceutical tablets, and cosmetic formulations.

What industries use the CR-100?

The CR-100 is used across food manufacturing (texture profiling), pharmaceuticals (tablet hardness and dissolution support), cosmetics (cream and gel consistency), packaging (peel and seal strength), and educational institutions (material science laboratories).

How does the CR-100 compare to the CR-3000EX?

The CR-100 is an entry-level compact rheometer designed for straightforward quality control with touch panel simplicity and a 100N load capacity. The CR-3000EX is a higher-end system offering greater force capacity, advanced measurement modes, and more extensive PC software integration for research-grade applications. The CR-100 is ideal for routine testing and labs that need reliable results without the complexity of a full research instrument.

What types of tests can the CR-100 perform?

The CR-100 supports 5 measurement modes including compression and tension testing. Common applications include bread firmness (TPA), gel strength, tablet hardness, cream penetration, adhesive peel strength, and general force-displacement characterization across food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and packaging materials.

Features

  • 120mm stroke length
  • Load range: 0.01 to 100N (1g to 10kg)
  • Speed range: 1 to 600mm/min
  • 5 measurement modes
  • Touch panel operation
  • Standalone or PC-connected

Specifications

Stroke 120mm
Load Range 0.01 to 100N (1g to 10kg)
Speed 1 to 600mm/min
Modes 5 measurement modes
Interface USB