Texture Analyzers, Texture Analysis, and Texture Measurement Instruments
Powder Flow Analyzer
Measure and analyze powder flow, powder flowability, and the rheological properties of powder, grains, cereals and granular materials with the Stable Micro Systems’ Powder Flow Analyzer.
The Powder Flow Analyzer features a helical blade that guarantees exact repetition time after time, resulting in Controlled Flow Displacement, to achieve very reproducible and highly-discriminating results from a reliable, simple and lost cost accessory
- 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 behavior during the programmed Controlled Flow
- Objective, numeric, automated analysis, characterizing of the flow behavior of the sample during Controlled Flow
Controlled Flow Displacement:
More About the Patented Helical Blade:
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.
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."
Texture Technologies adds that other companies' blade with flat sections absolutely prevent the ability to move through a powder column without disturbing its condition. So if a powder is compacted for a caking study, for example, simply coming out of the powder to compact it a second time will disturb and undo the impact of the original compaction. Likewise you could not instruct the blade to slip to the bottom of a powder column and then lift up, because the probe would disturb the powder sample on the downward path. These flaws limit the ability to measure empirical powder flow data and thus powder flow analysis.