News items January 2007

POWTECH 2007 Stand Hall 8/201 Whitehouse Scientific will unveil an attractive and highly practical new look for the company’s microsphere standards at Powtech 2007 (27-29 March 07; Nűrnberg, Germany) as it introduces a new packaging design throughout its extensive product range. The presentation of the standards has been completely updated with the introduction of new, more durable plastic bottles, individually held in foam and supplied in a clear plastic display case. At the associated Partec conference Dr Graham Rideal, managing director of Whitehouse Scientific, will also present a paper on the use of Whitehouse standards for image analysis. Whitehouse Scientific has been producing glass microspheres for calibration for 24 years. The company is the highest ranking European certification laboratory for primary methods of particle size analysis and the world’s leading manufacturer of single-shot glass microsphere standards. The reference standards, nearly all of which are NIST traceable,

Process Microwave Moisture Probe MOIST PP is a microwave based sensor for moisture measurement in volumes of material under test. The probe is part of the MOIST xP module system. The robust sensing head is used for moisture measurements in solids and bulk goods. Customer specific material calibration allows exact and reproducible measurements. The intelligent microwave probe operates with an on board microcontroller. It can be used either stand-alone in simple applications or in combination with the control unit MOIST CONTROL 100. MOIST PP is mounted with a special dielectric flange. Special fields of application for the sensor are contactless moisture measurements of building materials, bulk goods, grains and agricultural materials as well as the conceivable usage for the food industry. Customer specific calibrations and adaptions can be manufactured for new applications and materials. The MOIST PP process volume sensor provides a material specific moisture range from 0 to 80% (wet base). It works

Process Microwave Moisture Sensing Head MOIST RP is a microwave based sensing head for moisture measurement in thin layers of material under test. The probe is part of the MOIST xP module system. The sensor can be well and predominantly applied for measurements dependent on high resolution and reproducibility of results. The robust sensing head is used for moisture measurements in solids and bulk goods. Customer specific material calibration allows exact and reproducible measurements. The intelligent microwave probe operates with an on board microcontroller. It can be used either stand-alone in simple applications or in combination with the online control unit MOIST CONTROL 100. MOIST RP is mounted with a special dielectric flange. Special fields of application for the sensor are tangentially moisture measurements of bulk goods, grains and agricultural materials as well as the conceivable usage for the food industry. Customer specific calibrations and adaptions can be manufactured for new applications and

Whitehouse Scientific will introduce a new filter efficiency test at Filtech 2007 (27 Feb – 1 Mar 2007; Wiesbaden, Germany). Using fine silica glass beads of 1.5, 2, 3, 4.5, 5 and 6 µm diameter, the new test enables measurement down to very fine pore sizes. The Whitehouse approach allows full NIST traceability, something that in the past has presented a challenge for users of fine pore size filters. To perform the test, standards are made into a dilute aqueous suspension which is drawn through the filter medium using a simple vacuum system. Efficiency is measured by determining the percentage of standard retained in the filter. Dr Graham Rideal, managing director of Whitehouse Scientific and former chairman of the Filtration Society, will also present a conference paper on 28 February, entitled: Challenge testing by precision glass microspheres – a new physical method of measuring pore sizes. He and other members of the Whitehouse team will be available

The National Network of Agrochemical Stations in Poland has purchased seventeen Malvern Mastersizer 2000 laser diffraction particle size analyzers for use in the rapid assessment of different soil types. The systems will be used throughout the country and will replace existing measurement methods, resulting in the simplification and acceleration of the analytical process. The Mastersizer 2000 was selected primarily on the basis of: its speed of measurement and rapid delivery of results; the flexibility that allows the easy analysis of both wet and dry samples; instrument-to-instrument reproducibility; and the comprehensive local support provided by AP Instruments, Malvern’s representative in Poland. This local support is also backed by comprehensive web-based education and training, and telephone helpdesk facilities. The worldwide use of the Mastersizer 2000 for a very large number of different applications also meant that many reference sites could be consulted

Milford, NH - Airmar Technology Corporation, the leader in ultrasonic sensing technology, introduces a 228kHz air ranging transducer capable of measuring distances from 8cm up to 2,5mtr. The AT225’s narrow beam angle and high sensitivity make it ideal for level measurement in powders, bulk solids, slurries and liquids. Safe, rugged and reliable, Airducers® are IP68 rated and have no movable parts to break down. With the AT225, Airmar offers a full range of frequencies designed for industrial applications such as: flow and level measurement, proximity sensing, automation control, counting, sorting and monitoring parts. Airmar’s ultrasonic sensors offer non-contact solutions for your toughest sensing problems.

150 litres of utilizable volume Segler-Förderanlagen Maschinenfabrik GmbH (Segler Conveyor Machine Factory GmbH) in Berge, Germany is presently delivering a conical mixing conveyor, equipped with new technology to Russia. The central construction unit of the Segler Conical mixing conveyor is the drive train with a conical wave mixing screw. The new propulsion principle ensures small downtimes and is very low in maintenance. The production area shows no indication of oil contamination. The conical mixing conveyor is by way of its solid, heavy and stable execution, very convincing. The torque is increased by a speed reduction of the agitating lever, placed regionally at the worm shaft. The conical wave mixing screw ensures an optimal mixture, locally, at each filling level. Manufactured in stainless steel, the master mix blender fulfils the highest requirements of the pharmaceutical industry. The utilizable volume amounts to 150 litres. The conical mixing conveyor has a high-quality, stainless steel

Frost & Sullivan confers its` 2006 Product Line Leadership of the Year Award` on the Schenck Process Group (Schenck Process) for its comprehensive weighing and feeding product and service offerings in industrial production processes. In presenting this award, Frost & Sullivan commends Schenck Process for its success in providing integrated solutions in weighing and feeding technology across a wide spectrum of end-user industries. "The unique position of Schenck Process is a result of a combination of strategic decisions in terms of product line, combined with outstanding operational execution of product research & development and the tailored implementation of its solutions suited to clients` needs," notes Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Titus Hocevar. Titus Hocevar continues, "Providing weighing, feeding, screening and other automation solutions for end users in many different industries, the company has gained importance as the