Setting Up the Beige Press for Sealing Nonhermetic (Crimped) Pans

The TA Instruments beige Sample Encapsulating Press (shown on the left) is used to seal samples in the DSC sample pans.  The procedure below describes the steps required to convert a press that is currently set up for hermetic pan sealing or high volume pan sealing back to the setup required for nonhermetic sealing. [When you first receive your press it arrives preconfigured for sealing nonhermetic (crimped) pans. In this case the minor adjustment described in step 4 below is all that needs to be made.]

NOTE:  The pans sealed with this press may be used in either a Q Series™ or 2900 series DSC instrument.

Refer to the figure below to identify the parts.

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1. Remove the lower hermetic or lower high volume die as follows:

1. Raise the cam lever handle, then loosen the thumbscrew on the column of the press, which locks the lower die in place.

2. Turn the press over so that the bottom is accessible as shown in the figure below.

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3. Lower (loosen) the die holder by turning the base screw on the bottom of the press counterclockwise.

4. Return the press to its upright position, then lift the lower hermetic or high volume die to remove it from the die holder.

2. Place the lower nonhermetic die into the die holder (large end up) and screw it into position.

3. Change the upper die as follows:

1. When changing from hermetic to nonhermetic setup:  Place the upper nonhermetic die into the extended portion of the upper hermetic die and tighten the setscrew as shown in the figure below.

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2. When changing from high volume sealing to nonhermetic sealing setup:  Loosen the setscrew that holds the upper high volume die to the extended portion of the upper hermetic die and lower it to remove. Place the upper nonhermetic die onto the extended portion of the upper hermetic die and tighten the setscrew.

4. Adjust the height of the lower die as follows:

1. Pull the cam lever handle all the way down until it rests on the column.

2. Turn the press over so that the bottom is accessible.

3. Raise (tighten) the die holder by turning the base screw on the underside of the press clockwise until the upper and lower dies just touch. Then turn the screw back about ¼ turn.

4. Place a sample pan in the lower crimping die. Check that the pan is properly seated in the lower die. Lower the cam lever handle until it rests on the base column. Raise the cam lever handle and check the forming of the pan.

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A good nonhermetic pan will have a flat bottom, and the sides of the pan will appear rolled down (see below).

Uniform folding of lid around circumference

Flat surface on the bottom of the pan; no ridge around circumference

No visible gaps between lid and pan

5. Troubleshoot the upper die assembly as follows:

1. Loosen the cam lever handle locking screw. Remove the cam lever pin and take out the cam. Remove the upper forming die and spring.

2. Using a toothpick or other similar device, remove the stuck pan. Do not use a sharp device that could scratch the inner die surface.

3. Put the press back together.

4. If pan-forming problems persist, call your TA Instruments Service Representative.

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