Precise Temperature Control for Precise Measurement – The flucon and JULABO Partnership

Analyzing fluids under real-world conditions is the core business of flucon fluid control GmbH. Based in Lower Saxony, Germany, this mid-sized company develops and supplies highly specialized measurement systems for examining fluids such as oils, greases, coolants, paints, and coatings in realistic operating environments. flucon collaborates closely with partners from the automotive industry, universities, research institutes, and the chemical sector. To gain new insights and drive practical innovation, flucon places great value on its active exchange with research institutions and corporate clients.

Simon Hausner, CTO of flucon, sums it up clearly: “Our core expertise lies in fluid analysis – everything that flows.” For Hausner, high-quality measurement technology is only achievable through high-quality temperature control. This belief makes precise thermal regulation a key component in many of flucon’s systems.

A defining feature of flucon is that they are not just developer and provider of instruments – they actively use their own systems in an in-house laboratory and offer laboratory services directly to clients. This hands-on user perspective allows flucon to work on equal footing with their customers and continuously refine their technologies. A highlight of flucon’s capabilities is the in-house high-pressure laboratory, unmatched worldwide, where fluid properties can be analyzed under extreme conditions up to 1.4 GPa (14,000 bar). This is essential for reliably assessing fluid behavior under real stress conditions.

However, generating precise measurement data requires more than sophisticated sensors – it also demands equally precise thermal control. That’s where flucon turns to JULABO technology. Units from the CORIO and MAGIO series ensure high-precision temperature regulation, delivering stable conditions for reproducible results and meeting connectivity requirements such as RS232 interface compatibility.

At the heart of flucon’s latest development approach is the so-called Dual Approach – an innovative concept combining the static Epsilon+ method with the dynamic analysis of the E-Lub Tester.

The Epsilon+ evaluates oils and greases under constant conditions for their electrical properties. This is particularly relevant in electric drivetrains, where electric fields affect the lubricant film. The Epsilon+ determines whether the lubricant acts as a conductor or insulator, and thus whether there is a risk of electrical breakdown. For this application, flucon primarily uses CORIO and MAGIO circulators from JULABO.

The E-Lub Tester, on the other hand, focuses on dynamic processes. Here, ball bearings filled with oil or grease are tested under varying conditions – including speed, axial load, and temperature – and are electrically analyzed. Compression in the lubrication contact generates heat, which must be dissipated efficiently. Thanks to their powerful pump performance, JULABO’s MAGIO circulators provide a decisive advantage by ensuring rapid heat removal and a stable test environment.

At flucon, success is not only built on technology but also on a strong company culture. As a family-run business, flucon sees its “family” as extending beyond its founders to include its entire team and supplier network. Longstanding, trusting collaborations with partners like JULABO are a key part of this philosophy.

Service quality is another decisive factor for flucon when selecting its partners. Technical and logistical inquiries are often addressed by JULABO on the same day, and even complex questions beyond the scope of manuals or documentation are quickly routed to an experienced contact person.

Another area that strengthens this partnership is their shared commitment to sustainability. flucon operates its own solar power system and takes environmental impact into account when selecting temperature control systems – for example, by choosing units with natural refrigerants, a standard JULABO offers in its refrigerated circulators.
flucon and JULABO – a success story that shows what’s possible when precision meets mutual trust.