The helical blade naturally cuts through the column of powder being tested and negates the need for complex torque measuring systems on texture analysis equipment
Stable Micro Systems has been granted full US patents for its innovative blade design that is incorporated into the recently-launched powder flow analyser accessory for the TA.XT2i and TA.XTPlus texture analysers.
The patented blade is a true helix and can be mathematically described, unlike the blades fitted to other powder measuring devices on the market.
The helical blade naturally cuts through the column of powder being tested and negates the need for complex torque measuring systems. Repeatably manufactured by CNC machining, it allows Stable Micro Systems to achieve very reproducible, and highly discriminating results from a reliable, simple and lost cost accessory. Commenting on the patent, Jim Walker, technical director at Stable Micro Systems, said: "The design of the blade is the single most important factor in achieving repeatable powder flow measurements.
The non-helical blade used on other instruments is bent from a flat sheet and presents a large flat central area to the powder being tested.
It effectively compresses a column of powder beneath the blade during its travel path through the sample.
As a consequence, any axial force readings being taken are corrupted and these instruments are forced to rely on torque measurements because of the inadequacies of blade design." Patents have also been applied for the rest of the world.
