Thermo Fisher Scientific has been working with DC-Digital to create a special timer that would help chemist regulate the time it takes to for them to find impurities in chemicals. In this new custom release from DC-Digital, we’re proud to showcase a highly specialized timer built for the pharmaceutical industry: the DC-10T-DN-Term-S-Sens-TFS. This custom countdown timer is tailored specifically for use in chemical and pharmaceutical factories, where quality control and FDA-regulated testing procedures are critical. This system is designed to streamline and standardize how long inspectors examine chemical samples across multiple visual backgrounds.

The unit is used primarily in inspection booths—specifically, light booths and dark booths—where trained inspectors examine chemical solutions for impurities. The process is part of stringent pharmaceutical testing procedures. The timer manages and records how long each inspection stage takes, allowing for precise, repeatable, and FDA-compliant evaluations.

Multi-Stage Timing for Visual Inspections

This custom unit features three independent countdown timers, each representing a distinct inspection phase:

• Stage 1: Light background inspection
• Stage 2: Dark background inspection
• Stage 3: Optional color match or consistency inspection

Each of these timers can be independently configured in seconds, ensuring flexible operation depending on the inspection protocol. For example, the light and dark stages may be set to 5 seconds each, while the color match phase could be configured to last 7 seconds.

Automatic Start with Photo Eyes or Foot Switch

One of the standout features of the DC-10T-DN-Term-S-Sens-TFS is how inspections are triggered:

• Photo eyes mounted above each inspection area automatically detect when a sample is placed, starting the appropriate timer.
• Foot switch activation allows manual control if photo eyes are unavailable or bypassed for any reason.
• Either input can begin or advance the unit through the sequence of inspection stages.

This automatic switching ensures a hands-free, sanitary inspection process, improving efficiency and reducing error.

Programming & User Interaction

Setting the timer is easy:

• Press and hold the “Negative 1” button, then press the “Set” button to enter setup mode.
• Use this mode to set durations for each stage, from stage 1 through stage 3.
• Set auto-reset functionality, which helps restart the timer for the next sample after a part is rejected.
• The buzzer alert can also be configured from 1 to 5 seconds or silenced completely by setting its value to zero.
• After programming, the system auto-exits setup mode in 10 seconds and returns to the first stage.

Workflow Example

Here’s how a typical inspection workflow might operate:

1. Sample is placed under the light booth → Photo eye triggers → Timer 1 counts down
2. Then moved to the dark booth → Photo eye triggers → Timer 2 counts down.
3. Optional color match test → Triggered via foot switch or placement → Timer 3 counts down.
4. Part is approved or rejected → If rejected, the auto-reset function readies the timer for the next cycle.

Flexible Configuration

• If one phase of the process is not required, setting a timer stage to zero will cause the unit to skip it.
• If all stages are set to zero, the system will not operate and will emit a warning beep indicating no valid timers have been set.
• Visual indicators support workflow: Green means active countdown, Red means idle.

Key Features Recap

• Designed for FDA-compliant chemical inspection booths
• Three-stage timer with fully customizable countdown values
• Photo eye & foot switch triggers for automatic or manual stage control
• Auto-reset functionality for rejected samples
• Buzzer alerts (adjustable or silent)
• Durable, stainless-steel build, made for pharmaceutical environments
• Proudly Made in the USA

The DC-10T-DN-Term-S-Sens-TFS is not just a timer—it’s a purpose-built workflow control tool engineered to bring precision, repeatability, and compliance to the quality control process in pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing.

For facilities seeking higher standards and traceable inspection protocols, this custom timer provides the backbone of a dependable, repeatable inspection workflow.

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