CAM Software

The Windows-based KSV CAM software fits the measured drop profile with the Young-Laplace equation to calculate contact angle and surface tension. This, in turn allows determination of critical surface tension (Zisman plot) and surface free energy of solids (Zisman, OWRK, Simple Fowkes, Extended Fowkes, Wu, Acid-Base, Equation of State, Schultz 1, Schultz 2 etc.). The CAM software is widely appreciated for its ease of use and flexibility. As well as planar surfaces and drops, the CAM software can also determine contact angle and surface tension at vertical interfaces such as rods/fibers and plates, providing a powerful technique for accessing dynamic contact angles. Advancing and receding contact angles are also accessible using the automatic tilting cradle. This accessory is controlled by the software, providing access to angles between 0 and 90° at rates of 0.1 - 5°/s. The measured data can then be plotted as a function of tilt angle.

Sessile drop profiles provide contact angle	Pendant drop profiles provide surface tension

The software employs a convenient internal database where all the recorded data is stored, allowing you to simply keep track of your measurements for future analysis. Disk space is saved using a proprietary KSV image compression routine which retains all important information from the recorded raw data. There are separate editable databases for liquids and solids where all information about the test materials is stored.

Vertical meniscus profiles provide contact angles on fibres and rods and are highly suitable for dynamic contact angle measurements

Due to the latest digital fire-wire camera technology, the CAM 200 instrument runs on both desktop and laptop computers without the need to add a frame-grabber board to your computer. This technology greatly simplifies start-up and installation.

Calculation method

• Automatic (and manual) base-line detection in Contact Angle measurement
• Curve-fitting based on Young-Laplace equation
• Completely automatic calculation. Calculates separate contact angle for either side and then the mean value
• For reduced calculation time circular and polynomial fits are also available for contact angle calculations