A hopper design software package for Freeman Technology's FT4 Powder Rheometer is to be launched at Powtech 2008, held in Nurnberg, Germany between 30 September and 2 October 2008.
Freeman Technology said the package will improve access to well-established hopper design methodologies, speeding up and simplifying compilation and interpretation of the required data.
The criteria defining the limits of a bin to operate in mass-flow mode are outlet size and hopper half angle.
Both are calculated using data generated from shear cell, wall friction and compressibility testing.
All the required data can be generated using the FT4 in a series of automated measurements taking approximately two hours.
The software, which will become part of the FT4's standard data analysis package, is supported by a step-by-step guide to hopper design.
The FT4 Powder Rheometer delivers powder flowability data that can be correlated with processing experience to aid processing and quality control.
It provides automated shear testing, dynamic flowability and bulk properties measurements.
