Particle Analyzer improves lost foam casting efficiency.
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Press Release Summary:
Through digital imaging of particle size and shape, automated FPIA-2100 enables users to measure and minimize variations in ceramic mold used in lost foam casting process. It produces scattergram plots of size against shape, providing means of fingerprinting materials and enabling visual comparisons between samples. It is suited for use in industries where particle size and shape influence quality of final product.
Original Press Release:
Particle Shape Analysis Using FPIA-2100 Improves Efficiency of Lost Foam Casting
Malvern Instruments' FPIA-2100 automated particle size and shape analyzer is providing essential information in the manufacture of complex metal components in the automotive industry. By enabling variations in the ceramic mould used in the lost foam casting process to be measured and minimized, the FPIA-2100 is playing an important role in improving efficiency by enhancing casting quality and reducing waste.
Waste reduction is a key factor in determining the more widespread use of lost foam casting. This method of casting has the advantage of using almost a quarter less energy and a third less molten metal than conventional casting methods. It also enables the joining of several components within a single casting, saving downstream machining and assembly. But to date its use has been hindered by excessive scrap rates, caused by problems with the permeability of the ceramic moulds formed during the casting process.
One of the factors contributing to the permeability problems has been an inability to control the particle size and shape of unbonded sand in the matrix surrounding the mould. Digital imaging of particle size and shape using the FPIA-2100 has helped overcome these problems by enabling variations in the mould matrix to be measured and minimized.
A versatile, easy-to-use instrument, the FPIA-2100 produces scattergram plots of size against shape. These provide an effective method of "fingerprinting" materials, enabling visual comparisons to be made between samples. It is proving to be a valuable tool in numerous industries - toners, abrasives, column-packing materials, pharmaceuticals, food, and now lost foam casting - where particle size and shape are important parameters with a profound influence on the quality of the final product.
www.malvern.co.uk
About Malvern Instruments
Malvern supplies instrumentation systems that apply advanced technologies for the accurate characterization of particle and material properties.
Malvern systems are used for the measurement of particle size distribution, zeta potential, particle shape, molecular weight and rheological properties.
The information they provide is used in research, product development and QA/QC functions with applications across a wide range of industries. Malvern systems meet the needs of the laboratory for reliable analytical information and address the growing demand from production and process engineers for in-process characterization. www.malvern.co.uk
For more information, please contact
Trish Appleton, Kapler Communications
Suite 2, Cressner House
12 Huntingdon Street, St Neots
Cambridgeshire UK
PE19 1BD
Tel: +44 (0) 1480 471117
Fax: +44 (0) 1480 471118
trish@kapleronline.com
USA contact:
Marisa Fraser, Malvern Instruments Inc
10 Southville Road
Southborough, MA 01772, USA
Tel: +1 508 480 0200
Fax: +1 508 460 9692
marisa.fraser@malvernusa.com
