HOW IT OPERATES
Stable Micro Systems Ltd. use the test frame and vertical drive system provided by the Texture Analyser, and add the additional rotational drive and software functionality to form the Powder Flow Analyser.

Powder Flow Analysers can be purchased as completely new working systems, or you can take your existing Texture Analyser and attach the Powder Flow Analyser. In this form the Powder Flow Analyser can be used as a texture analyser and is fully compatible with all existing and future Stable Micro Systems range of probes, fixtures and software.

The innovative patented Controlled Flow* test method enables almost any sample capable of flow (other than low viscosity liquids) to be tested.

Due to the unique profile of the patented helically machined rotor the instrument can be programmed to move through the powder in different ways to measure many different characteristics. For example, the sample of powder can be conditioned, then compacted to a specified stress (to imitate storage conditions) and then the rotor can be programmed to slice down through the powder (with minimum disturbance to the powder column, by moving down at the same helical path as the blade profile) and then to move up through the sample measuring the cohesion between the powder after the consolidation. Thus measuring how well will the powder flow after storage in a full silo.

Powder Flow Analyzer's Controlled Flow Measurement technology, offers the ability to physically displace the powder in a controlled manner that can be optimised to measure the differences between samples, or can be adjusted to be complementary to your process conditions.

The force resulting from the displacement are accurately measured and are used to characterise and rank the sample. Almost any sample capable of flow can be tested provided the force required is within the range of the instrument.

Powder Flow Analyzer's Controlled Flow* offers:

• User programmable tests that displace the sample by slicing, shearing, compressing, compacting, mixing, and aerating; in any combination, and in any sequence.
• Exact repetition of the test sequence best suited to your need, time after time.
• Independence from variable sample loading by pre-conditioning at the start of the test.
• Extremely gentle through to aggressive displacements.
• Measurement and analysis of force, time, and distance; parameters that define the sample behaviour during the programmed Controlled Flow*.
• Objective, numeric, automated analysis, characterising of the flow behaviour of the sample during Controlled Flow*.

	Lift - Aeration Gives uniform powder column conditioning, and independence from sample loading variations Measure particle cohesion after compaction Measure flow after compaction Measure recovery from compaction Measures air entrapment by changin column height
	Compaction Rest / flow transition studies at different rates Simple quality control batch and source variations Rapid wet mix measure for endpoint and scale up Resistance to flow and movement
	Slice Compaction Mixing and mixing kinetics Granule surface friction Product contact part surface effects Resistance to extrusion

Test virtually any material capable of flow and displacement - not just free flowing powders
Test dry powders to wet slurries and all moisture levels in between.
Impose extremely gentle or extremely aggressive flow onto powder samples, and measure the resulting force to characterise the sample under those controlled conditions.
User-defined imposed flow to suit the sample type and characteristic of interest, or to be complimentary to the process conditions experienced by the sample.

Repeatable Test Settings and sample flow programs - exactly the same test again and again.
Independence from operator sample loading technique. Controlled Sample Flow enables the powder column sample to be preconditioned before the actual test cycle.
Precision borosilicate glass or stainless steel test vessels. Test vessels of similar specification give the same test result.

Typical Sample Volume (ml)	Internal Diameter (mm)	Total Height (mm) including base	Material
100-200	50	130	Borosilicate Glass
20-35	25	80	Borosilicate Glass

Precision machined and surface finished rotor and blade form for displacing the powder. Blades of similar specification give the same test result. Blades can be made in most engineering materials capable of being machined. Standard rotors are 316 Stainless Steel and Over Anodised (Clear) Aluminium. Rotor blades are 10 mm high with either 48 mm or 23 mm diameters.

From less than 10ml to over 200ml - Suited to non-destructive characterisation of high value scarce volume samples e.g. drug substance. Suited to larger sample volumes that can be needed to be representative of a large bulk mass e.g flour, herbicides, coal dust, natural pigments.

Test vessel bases are easily removed to enable thorough, simple cleaning.
Only test sample contact parts are vessel and rotor. Parts are easily cleaned or replaced (if used with highly toxic or radioactive materials).
Entire instrument can fit in fume hoods for testing powders which are important to contain.