Clemex Technologies has added pre-programmed international standards to its PSFilter computerised image systems to extend the benefits of particle examination by image analysis.
The Clemex PSFilter hardware and software systems, distributed by Aptex, offer computerised, microscopic, image analysis of particulates down to 0.5 microns.
The systems are used primarily for quality control and research in a range of automotive component manufacturing applications and in the environmental control, food, engineering, pharmaceutical, electronic and aerospace industries.
They also allow for macroscopic analysis, which yields results for particles greater than five microns.
Compared with particle characterisation and measurement by other methods, computerised image analysis is said to offer the benefits of reliable and repeatable analysis by shape, size, colour and texture with particulates in their most mechanically stable position - in other words, on filters, wafers or tape.
Analysis is possible on any type or mix of particles - opaque, semi-transparent, crystalline, textured, coloured and so on.
The introduction into the Clemex PSFilter system of the pull-down menus of international standards enables pre-programmed international standards to be applied to particle analysis and reporting for a variety of end-use applications.
The standards include ISO 4406 and ISO 4407, which relate to the contamination of hydraulic fluids by solid particulates.
ISO 4406 defines the method used for coding fluid contamination and specifies that samples must be analysed in accordance with the procedures laid down in ISO 4407.
Clemex PSFilter systems ensure that sample analysis complies with both of these standards.
Other standards cover cleanliness levels in, for example, components in fluid circuits for road vehicles or air quality for environmental contamination control.
As well as national and internationally published standards, Aptex can offer customised analysis procedures to meet in-house or specific industry standards.
Samples for analysis can be obtained in several different ways.
'Membrane filters' are used to trap micro particles or micro organisms within fluid systems, such as hydraulic fluids, in order to determine cleanliness of fluid circuit components for the automotive industry.
In the same way, possible contamination of injection liquids used in pharmaceuticals can be checked.
'Wafers', sometimes referred to as 'witness plates', are used in particle fallout monitoring.
Applications range from assessing external air quality around coal-fired power stations to collecting airborne particles in clean room environments in the electronic components industry.
Another technique called 'tape lift' is a used for determining fungal spores in a given environment.
Using specialised sample holders, the Clemex PSFilter software-controlled microscope scans and maps the sample in a few minutes.
The system optimises productivity by running up to 10 samples on a 215 x 100mm holder.
Further increases in productivity can be achieved by employing Clemex robotic systems.
Once the sample analysis is completed, particulates classified and validated, the system automatically generates reports, which can again be customised, if necessary, to internal or industry specific standards and then saved as secure, printable reports.
