News items April 2006

Materials characterization company Malvern Instruments has established two applications centres in India, one in Mumbai and the other in Vadodara (Baroda). The centres have been set up in conjunction with Aimil Ltd, Malvern’s distribution partner in India. They are being operated by Aimil’s dedicated applications scientists and will be used for training courses for customers as well as to measure customer samples for applications development and ongoing customer support. According to Stuart Wakefield, Malvern’s Distributor Sales Manager, the new facilities are unique in India. “Most companies offering analytical instrumentation do not have dedicated applications laboratories,” he said. “The majority form alliances with academic departments or even with customers where they can send people to run samples. Malvern has a reputation for excellent customer support in India, and with growing sales in this country we wanted to further improve our customer training

Extensive know-how, product solutions for every application area, extreme reliability and durability Based on a tried & tested and continually developed modular system with standardised assemblies, the different assemblies of the LinaClass product family solve even the most difficult sieving problems – economically and with easy maintainability. The perfectly adapted solution for the sieving of rough sand: the LinaClass 10/55 “SLK” Double-Decker Linear Vibrating Sieve Sieved rough sand has a particle size of 0 – 6 or 4 mm and is fed into the following processing stages. A reliable product result requires the use of an extremely robust sieving machine such as the LinaClass 10/55 “SLK”. This perfectly adapted product solution from Schenck Process consists of a two-part upper deck with PU and weld-gap sieve linings arranged in horizontal and ascending order, enabling the rough sand to be agitated and sieved off. In the further course of the process, clumps of sand are broken down and crushed and fed to the lower deck, where fine and accurate classification

The demands on vibrating machines are enormous when it comes to the classification of quartz sand, where it is essential to achieve extremely fine granulation and perfectly adjusted classification. Other requirements include the ability to be installed in the smallest possible area, completely dust-proof design, synchronously vibrating outlets for the upper and lower deck and a synchronously vibrating sieve basin. They must also be suitable for 24-hour operation low maintenance, reliable and durable. The universal solution from the engineers of Schenck Process: the RotaClass 13/40 “SKG” Double-Decker Rotary Vibrating Sieve The Double-Decker rotary vibrating sieve is suitable for separation at 1.6 mm in the upper deck and 1 mm in the lower deck, driven by rotary agitator cells. Lubricated by oil, the rotary agitator cells of the RotaClass Vibrating Sieves stand out for their long bearing life, simplified accessibility & maintenance and favourable price. Designed

International Powder & Bulk Solids Conference/Exhibition - Booth # 1353 The recently introduced Malvern ALISS at-line particle size analyzer for dry powder processes will be shown on the Malvern Instruments booth at the International Powder & Bulk Solids Conference/Exhibition (8-11 May 2006, Rosemont, IL), together with the company’s industry leading Mastersizer 2000 laser diffraction based particle size analyzer, and the new Morphologi G2 high sensitivity particle image analyzer. The Malvern ALISS has applications in a wide range of processing industries, including powder coatings, minerals and cement. It uses the same proven and robust Malvern Insitec technology and platform that is normally employed for particle sizing on-line. Users therefore gain access to this robust laser diffraction technology to make measurements in an automated laboratory, or manually close to the process line. The Malvern ALISS was named winner of the Powder/Bulk Solids 2005 Innovation Award in the Processing category A significant benefit of Malvern

It is with great pleasure that Malvern Instruments announces that the company is to receive the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, the UK’s leading accolade for business success. Details of the winners of the 2006 Awards were announced today on the occasion of Her Majesty The Queen’s 80th birthday. Malvern Instruments’ award is in the category of International Trade, reflecting the company’s increased export earnings, up by 76% through sustained growth over the past six years. Malvern Instruments is a leading supplier of analytical solutions for particle characterization and rheological applications. Trading since 1971, this is Malvern’s fourth such honour, having received: The Queen’s Award for Technology in 1977; The Queen’s Award for Export in 1981; and The Queens Award for Export and Technology in 1988. Managing Director, Paul Walker, praised the efforts of Malvern’s teams throughout the world. “I am pleased and very proud that the achievements

Compact, capable of calibration and equipped with the latest processor and field bus technology, the latest edition to the proven DISOMAT® family demonstrates that logistics solutions with calibration capability can also be cost-effective. The new device is astonishingly capable and versatile, presenting the ideal solution for all straightforward logistics tasks. The Multi-talented electronic with a huge application spectrum. The DISOMAT® Opus has been developed on the basis of the field proven DISOMAT® B plus weighing terminal. Smaller, more compact and offering outstanding value; designed as a multi-talented device for a wide application spectrum: The DISOMAT® Opus weighing indicator is ideally suited for all applications in which weight values must be recorded, displayed, printed & transmitted to a higher-level system for further processing, and also is capable of calibration. Additionally, component/system calibration is possible with the DISOMAT®

Visitors to Anuga 2006 will be able to enjoy a complete product presentation of the DISOBOX®, where Schenck Process specialists will be presenting the functionality of all system components. At Schenck Process the future began a long time ago. This is confirmed by the impressive demonstration of the DISOBOX® monitoring principle beginning with the amazingly simple on-site installation of the system. The DISOBOX® demonstrates its strengths in individual weight recording using a special exhibition model of a platform scale with four load cells of different nominal loads. The load on each individual weighing point can be read off separately – for monitoring of the cells or analysis of the load distribution on the scale. Established weighing data are transmitted to the customer’s network either by field bus or serial interface. DISOBOX® turns every conventional analog scale into a digital scale. DISOBOX® turns every conventional analog scale into

International Powder & Bulk Solids Conference/Exhibition - Booth #1156 Freeman Technology’s FT4 powder rheometer will be shown on the Particle Technology Labs, Ltd. booth (#1156) at this year’s International Powder & Bulk Solids Conference/Exhibition (8-11 May 2006, Rosemont IL). The FT4 is an important analytical tool for PTL, used by the company to deliver its powder characterization services for clients throughout the US. James Cooke, Materials Scientist at Freeman Technology, will be available on the booth and will also deliver a paper to the conference entitled: “Understanding powder behaviour and predicting processability” (Tues, May 9, 10.30am). The FT4 characterizes powders using dynamic measurements and has evolved to incorporate a range of measurement regimes, including shear testing capability and bulk property determination. A state-of-the-art system, the FT4 is now more accurately described as a universal powder tester that enables powder properties to be determined in complementary ways, in order to build the most

Researchers at Trudell Medical International (London ON, Canada) are using the new Malvern Spraytec particle size analyzer in the study of nebulizer performance. Spraytec, equipped with an inhalation cell, allows characterization of nebulizer sprays under conditions representative of their use. At TMI, the system is being used in the development of new products such as the AeroEclipse® II breath-actuated nebulizer (BAN). The original AeroEclipse® BAN, was the first mechanically-operated small volume BAN with dosimetric capability, providing a near constant delivery rate of medication from a variety of formulations and volume fills. This nebulizer required an inhalation flow rate close to 25 L/min to operate the breath-actuation mechanism. The second generation AeroEclipse® II BAN now actuates at flow rates as low as 15 L/min, making it potentially more suitable for younger patients. Dr Jolyon Mitchell, Scientific Director, said the team had clear reasons

The Rotating Mirror Beacon 885 from WERMA Following last year’s „red dot design award“, 2006 has seen WERMA re-ceiving another highly acclaimed international design prize: the new Ro-tating Mirror Beacon 885 has been awarded the „iF product design award 2006“. iF design award – synonymous with current design trends Since its establishment in 1953 the „iF design award“ has been a consis-tent, renowned hallmark for “excellent” design. The iF label is a clear in-dicator to product buyers that the goods in question are sophisticated and of a high quality, having passed the equivalent of a “Design Examination”. The winning product: the Rotating Mirror Beacon 885 The award winning Rotating Mirror Beacon 885 is an ideal addition to the existing WERMA product range. It stands out with its clear, no frills design and a new size. When in operation the new rotating mirror beacon gen-erates an extremely high signal effect due to the internal rotating mirror . For the observer the impression

Unique acknowledgement function The LED/Buzzer Combination 450 with acknowledgement function from WERMA sets new standards for optical-acoustic signalling. The combination unites a very bright light signal with the powerful sound of a buzzer. This product also features a unique acknowledgement func-tion: by gently pressing the front surface of the product the audible signal can be turned off in a matter of seconds. The acknowledge-ment signal is sent to the control unit over an electronic switch and the malfunction is only indicated by the optical signal. Frontal and side light illumination and a sound output of 80 dB The LEDs radiate light both frontally and to the side, thus ensuring op-timal all-round signal visibility. The 3 KHz continuous tone at a sound output level of 80 dB can be clearly heard above environmental noise. Long life and maintenance free Despite the range of features the LED/Buzzer Combination is highly economical and requires just 40

Waalre-based Goudsmit Magnetic Systems has, together with its Japanese partner, recently developed a completely new metal separating system. Thanks to this system, called the LenaStar, foodstuffs are stripped of metal contaminants in two phases. In phase one a specially developed, very strong magnet removes all magnetic and slightly magnetized particles in a free-fall system. Subsequently the specially developed metal detector in phase two concentrates solely on the non-magnetic particles. The detector is now no longer hindered by the presence of magnetic particles and can do its job optimally. The LenaStar has already been employed for some time in the Japanese foodstuff industry and performs, amongst other duties, as a ‘’clearing station’’ for imported foodstuffs. It is a highly advanced metal separating system that removes ferrous particles from 25 micron upwards and paramagnetic particles from 0,6 mm upwards from foodstuffs. Considering the fact that

Waalre-based Goudsmit Magnetic Systems BV has recently developed and manufactured an improved version of the High Gradient Separator. The standard High Gradient Separator was originally developed for the cleaning of chrome sand in foundries and the removing of black specks from salt or ceramics, for example. The magnetic value of the roll was increased to 16 000 Gauss for the improved version. This means that now even slightly magnetized Fe and STAINLESS STEEL particles can be removed from waste or waste or residual streams. The separator can then also be implemented in the world of recycling where the use of stainless steel has increased dramatically and increasingly more stainless steel can be found in the incinerated remains in ovens. Recycling industry A system has been specially manufactured for the recycling industry, and it is intended for a heavy-duty and dirty environment. It is available up to a swath breadth of 1 500 mm but on request can be made even

You find in our company a complete range of industrial weight indicators and controllers for filling and dosing. For the application in hazardous areas, with the risk of gas as well as dust explosions, we supply these instruments in special enclosures. This makes the application in the zones 1, 2, 21 and 22 possible. The cabinet’s front is provided with a hard glass window and press buttons, guaranteeing full operation and readability. Inside eventually shunt diode barriers are mounted, making the load cells intrinsically safe for utilisation in all zones. Thanks to this development weighing equipment can be used in any industrial environment.

A survey of specialists conducted by the Association of German Engi-neers (VDI) has provided the proof: LED technology is the technology that will experience its commercial breakthrough in 2006. WERMA is actively involved in shaping this trend and is now able to offer the first LED flash for the signal tower series KombiSIGN 71. Long life and maintenance free An optimal light output using LEDs, no maintenance, low current con-sumption as well as resistance to shocks and vibration are the main features of the new LED flash. It is available in red, yellow, blue, green and white at a rating of 24 V. Excellent signal visibility Optical signal devices from WERMA assist in the timely and clear indi-cation of process conditions, risks and imminent dangers. The new LED flash stands out from the traditional xenon flash due to its light intensity and an extremely long life duration of up to 50,000 hours. It is espe-cially suited for battery and power pack applications

Air supported conveyor belt succesful in Biomass A few months ago two Airconveyors® have been delivered for a Biomass production line in Germany and South Korea. Our client has choosen for such a system because of the closed and dust free transportation method. Besides that the system requires less maintenance, is silently, savely to use and saves energy costs. The Airconveyor® is now used for woodchip, shredded wood, bark and saw dust. Project Hagen (Germany) wood, saw dust etc.: capacity: 225 m3/hr width: 650 mm length: 125 meter difference in height: 18 meter speed: 2,1 m/s motor power: 9,2 kW airpower: 1,1 kW Project Sunchang (South Korea) Biomass: capacity: 350 m3/hr width:

Magnets prevent dust explosions Goudsmit Magnetic Systems BV based in Waalre, the Netherlands, has recently received the ATEX Production Quality Assurance Notification for the production of rotating magnets in dust explosion zone 20. The certificate is granted by KEMA. This enables the user of such magnets to carry out production more safely and in accordance with new guidelines. These guidelines oblige the producer to take measures if there is danger of dust explosion during the production process. Magnets are used to prevent dust explosions. These magnets are often in a place where an explosion can take place. Up to now magnets could only be provided in dust zone 22. This often appeared to be unsatisfactory. For this reason Goudsmit has proceeded with certification of the production workshop in Waalre. Because the company makes client specific magnets, it was not possible to work solely with one classification. By obtaining a classification only that type of magnet can be provided. By gaining

Malvern Instruments has announced that Jeff de Nigris will take up the role of Regional Sales Manager for the US Process Systems team. Jeff will oversee eight manufacturers’ representative organisations in the Eastern United States, and will be responsible for supporting process representatives in Puerto Rico and Eastern Canada. He will work from Malvern’s Southborough MA office. Welcoming Jeff to the team, Andrew Malcolmson, Director of Business Development for Malvern Process Systems said, “Jeff’s extensive sales experience will be invaluable as we continue to grow our process business. Multiple deals with key players in the cement industry coupled with strong demand from the pharmaceutical sector have delivered high sales in 2005. Jeff is the ideal person to build on this strong base and lead the sales team on to even greater heights!” Jeff is a mechanical engineer with extensive experience in product and sales management. Principally he has been involved