New Ground-breaking Powder Tester For Cost-efficient Industrial Measurement
Freeman Technology, a global leader in powder testing technology, has launched the Uniaxial Powder Tester (UPT), the world’s first stand-alone uniaxial tester for simple, sensitive and cost-efficient powder characterisation.
Developed in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh and a major industrial powder processor, the new tester delivers automated, highly repeatable measurement and provides a cost effective alternative to traditional powder testing techniques.
It offers significant value to engineers and QC analysts working across a number of industries, from bulk solids handling to pharmaceuticals.
“Uniaxial powder testing is a simple and intuitive method that measures an intrinsic property of a bulk solid,” said Tim Freeman, Managing Director of Freeman Technology.
“The UPT draws on our in-depth understanding of powders and the precision engineering that underpins the worldwide success of the FT4 Powder Rheometer®. The result is a completely new, repeatable, versatile, low cost and robust powder tester for process development, trouble shooting and QC.”
The new instrument measures unconfined yield strength (UYS), a parameter typically derived indirectly via biaxial shear cell analysis, which is widely used to assess and rank the flowability of powders.
Uniaxial testing involves the construction of a consolidated powder column, which is then fractured through the application of a vertical stress to directly measure UYS, also known as sc.
Fundamental to the successful implementation of the technique is the construction of a uniformly consolidated powder column, and subsequent removal of the containing sleeve with minimal disturbance of the compacted column.
“This new tester has a number of innovative features that are crucial to ensure reproducible measurement for a wide range of powders, including a unique and novel system for the application of double-ended compression” said Mr Freeman.
“Extensive in-house research has shown that the UPT can successfully measure and rank sc, compressibility and density of many industrially relevant powders, even those that are relatively free-flowing.”
The new instrument is available in either a manual or an advanced version. Both deliver the same data with the same high repeatability, while the advanced version also offers the advantage of increased automation and reduced operator input.
“We’re delighted to extend our range of powder testing equipment with new instruments that address an industrial need for simple, easy-to-interpret, low cost testing,” said Mr Freeman.
“The UPT is unique in enabling our customers to reliably access uniaxial testing, and comes with all the assurance of the reputation of Freeman Technology for quality powder testing instruments, extensive application know how and exemplary service.”
Gemma Denslow
Freeman Technology Ltd,
1 Miller Court, Severn Drive, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 8DN, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1684 851 551
Fax: +44 (0)1684 851 552
pr@freemantech.co.uk
www.freemantech.co.uk
Freeman Technology
- +44 (0)1684 851 551
- info@freemantech.co.uk
- https://www.freemantech.co.uk
- 1 Miller Court Severn Drive Tewkesbury Gloucestershire GL20 8DN GB
About us
Freeman Technology specialises in systems for measuring the flow properties of powders and has nearly 20 years' experience in powder flow and powder characterisation.
The company invests significantly in R&D and applications development, and provides detailed know-how to support its range of products. Expert teams guide and support users around the world in addressing their individual powder challenges, focusing on delivering the most relevant information for the process. The result is world-leading solutions for understanding powder behaviour - in development, formulation, scale-up, processing, quality control, or anywhere that powders have a role.
Freeman Technology’s solutions include the FT4 Powder Rheometer®, a uniquely universal powder tester, and the Uniaxial Powder Tester, a complementary tool for quick and robust powder assessment. Systems are installed around the world in the chemical, pharmaceutical, toners, foods, powder coatings, metals, ceramics, cosmetics, and many other industries. They deliver data that maximise process and product understanding, accelerating R&D and formulation towards successful commercialisation, and supporting the long term optimisation of powder processes.
Founded in 1989 as a developer of automated testing systems for materials characterisation, the company has focused exclusively on powders since the late 1990s and in 2018 became part of Micromeritics Instrument Corporation. The company’s R&D, manufacturing and commercial headquarters are in Gloucestershire, UK, with operations and distribution partners in key global territories. In 2007 the company received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation and in 2012 the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.
Where we supply to
UK Ireland, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, North America
Industries we supply to
Chemicals, Food and Beverage, Pharmaceutical Cosmetics Toiletries
