Havneholmen 2, 1-3
2450 Copenhagen SV
Denmark
Prepare glass beads for XRF or ICP or AA spectroscopy analysis with ease thanks to our resistance and induction-heated fusion technologies. Easy-to-use controls, fast heating times, and the ability to manage complex preparation cycles are standard features which boost the productivity and quality of results in your laboratory.
Our Bead One HR Semi-Automatic Fusion system offers maximum flexibility and accuracy in the preparation of 29-, 32-, 34-, 36- or 39-mm diameter glass beads for XRF analysis. Its high-frequency heating technology enables complex multi-step fusion processes and shortens preparation time. It is suited for use with a wide range of oxidic sample materials, including cement, slag, ores, and ferroalloys, with a feed size of 200µm. The benchtop design offers a small footprint and set-up flexibility. Installation is simple, and all fusion and cooling parameters can be easily set, modified, stored, and monitored using the HMI panel. Additionally, the safety of your operators is always protected with a locked safety door during fusion and cooling, fully automated pouring, and cold-to-cold operation.
Fast heating and superior fusion - Our Bead One HF reaches its minimum temperature of 1300°C within a short period of time, reducing process time and increasing sample throughput. Additionally, the high fusion and casting dish temperature shortens preparation time and improves bead quality for material requiring long-lasting fusion procedures. Short fusion times also lead to very low element losses and improve analysis accuracy and reliability. The crucible is oscillated in a circular movement to improve homogenisation of the melt for perfectly fused beads. Additionally, the crucible can be tilted by 45°.
Suited to demanding analytical tasks - The inductive fusion method of our Bead One HR allows fast and instantaneous heating of the melt to the set temperature. The system operates without inertia and makes it possible to undergo complex preparation cycles requiring extremely precise temperature ramp up. For example, ferroalloys depend on several different oxidation and fusion steps of exactly defined temperatures and time lengths. Our Bead One HR’s functionality gives you the precise control you need.
Our benchtop Bead One R Semi-Automatic Fusion Device prepares 39 mm diameter glass beads for XRF analysis, as well as borate and peroxide solutions for AA and ICP analysis. It offers your operators the benefit of highly repeatable and accurate analysis results. Its easy-to-use interface and maximum safety measures further enhance the experience for your operators and the quality of the analysis results you achieve.
Precise control and analytical flexibility - Maintain total control over the bead fusion process to ensure precise results, with parameters including temperature, duration, heating rate and crucible rocking speed. After the melting process, depending on your sample type and analysis needs, either choose to discharge the material into the casting dish or leave it to remain in the crucible until solid. Alternatively, the melt can be poured into an acid solution cup which is positioned on a magnetic stirring device.
User-friendly interface - Designed for ease of operation, our Bead One R user interface features a clearly laid-out HMI touchscreen, which provides an overview of operation mode and process parameters, at a glance. Opt to use one of the 10 defined preparation methods or create and add new recipes tailored to suit the material you are sampling, as well as your analysis needs. Set time utilisation timers for preheating and switch-off. TCP/IP and USB interfaces allow for potential remote access to the instrument and data export for further analytical usage.
High-performing heating chamber - With a maximum operating temperature of 1300°C, the tube furnace is made from high-quality components to ensure a long life and superior performance day-in day-out. Well-dimensioned high-grade SiC rods, with heating from two sides, guarantee uniform temperature distribution and high energy efficiency. The persistent PtRh-Pt thermocouple is located within the working tube for immediate temperature measurement. Wear-free and noiseless thyristors are used for very precise temperature control. The multilayer furnace insulation consists of high-purity aluminium oxide sheets and allows for high-temperature shock resistance. The working tube is designed for the protection of machine components from aggressive vapours and is easily exchangeable.
Automatic magazine functionality - As an option, retrofit a fully automatic magazine to transport the crucible and casting dish to the Bead One R. The magazine has a capacity of up to nine crucibles, with corresponding casting dishes. Samples are registered in desired order on the HMI – no additional panel or control unit is needed. After fusion, pouring and solidification of the melt crucible and casting dish are transferred to an extra cooling position and the Bead One R is ready to accept a new sample from the magazine. When the vessels are completely cool, they are transported to their magazine positions and can be removed by the operator for the analysis. This automatic functionality significantly boosts productivity and sample processing speed. It also leaves little room for human error.
Our HA-HF 16 Semi-Automatic Dosing and Fusion system prepares oxidic sample materials into 29-, 32-, 34-, 36- or 39-mm diameter fused beads for XRF analysis. Smart by design, all machine components are neatly accommodated on a single stand, helping you to overcome any space limitations. The integrated handling system silently and reliably takes care of all transport routines within the machine to streamline and speed sample processing. Plus, the advanced fusion technique of our HA-HF 16 delivers added value as it ensures extremely accurate and reproducible sample preparation.
Precise sample quality - If high quality samples are what you seek then our HA-HF 16 is the machine for you. Its processing and technology ensure precision every time. Pre-weighed sample material mixed with fusion flux is placed into a gold or platinum crucible, and the crucible is inserted into the 16-position input magazine. The crucible is heated automatically to the set temperature via a HF generator and then rocked in an elliptical motion to ensure a homogenous and bubble-free melt. A non-contact pyrometer holds the smelt at a constant temperature. This ensures that a reproducible temperature curve, appropriate to the relevant sample quality, is maintained throughout the fusion process. After the fusion process and according to the preselected program, the material is discharged into the casting dish. The melt is cooled with the optional assistance of an air jet for a pre-set length of time.
Integrated handling - Simplify your sample handling process with our HA-HF 16. Its functionality allows a vacuum pick-up to automatically transport only in-tact glass beads to the delivery chute. Up to 16 samples can be buffered at any given time. Information on the process and the status of the HA-HF 16 is displayed on the touchscreen control panel, keeping your operator always informed and in control.
Easy control - Your operator uses an easy-to-use integrated programmable logic control (PLC) system with touchscreen to maintain control over sample processing and to minimise the possibility of human error. Choose from the 16 different password-protected program sequences. Each has customised parameters available, including fusion temperature (up to 1300°C), heating rate, melting, and cooling times able to be adjusted by the user.
Reach temperatures of 1300°C within a short period of time with our resistance and induction heated fusion devices and benefit from reduced processing time and increased sample throughput. The high fusion and casting dish temperature also shorten preparation time and improve bead quality. Shorter fusion times lead to very low element losses and improved analysis accuracy and reliability. The movement of the crucible in a circular motion improves the homogenisation of the melt and the ability to tilt the crucible by 45° adds to the quality outcomes.
Innovative technology ensures the heating and cooling of the chamber is precise and easily controlled by the operator. Minimum temperatures are reached quickly and can be maintained with ease. They can also be incrementally adjusted to suit the most complex processing needs.
Precise control via the integrated Siemens touchscreen control panel ensures quality bead production every time. Up to 16 password protected programs with customised parameters are available to operators, with settings such as the fusion temperature (up to 1300°C), heating rate, melting and cooling times able to be adjusted according to sample production and analysis needs. Information on the process and the status is available on the touchscreen display at every stage.
HAG-HF Fully automatic fusion system
HAG Fully automatic fusion system
The HP-DT2 is used to dose a defined mass of flux into plastic beakers. The beakers are presented in trays with 30 positions. Ther is space for a total of 3 trays on the feed conveyor. 60 beakers can be dosed without the intervention of the operator. The HP-DT2 is the optimal machine to release the laboratory personnel from mundane tasks, to improve the accuracy of dosing and guarantee a high sample throughput.
High-precision dosing - The HP-DT2 is a high-precision dosing unit for flux. The accuracy of the HP-DT2 is +/- 3 mg in a range up to 15 g.
The HAG-HF fully automatically prepares 29-, 32- or 34-mm diameter glass bead samples for spectroscopic analysis. The HAG-HF covers the following preparation steps: Dosing, fusion, quality control, and cleaning (option). The inductive fusion system is suitable for cement, iron ore, geological samples, slag, fly-ash, bauxite and other oxidic material. All modules are integrated within one compact machine base. The robot and linear conveyor systems handle and transport the samples within the HAG-HF. The system is fully automatic and monitors itself during operations for reduced sample processing time and trouble-free operation around the clock. The HAG-HF improves reproducibility and increases precision. Sample preparation times are significantly reduced.
Flexible configuration - The HAG-HF can be used as a stand-alone machine or flexibly integrated into various laboratory automations. As an example, the sample material is sent into the laboratory by airtube. The sample material is unpacked from the airtube capsule, pulverized, dosed into cups, and transported to the HAG-HF. For different types of sample material, different preparation and cleaning programs can be defined. Furthermore, special sets of crucibles and casting dishes can be assigned to special sample groups to avoid contamination and reduce the sample processing time.
Precise and accurate dosing - A high-precision balance is used for dosing of sample material, flux, and oxidizing agent into the crucible. Different dosing modes can be defined to control the weighing procedure for different sample types. As an option, hygroscopic material can be protected from moisture absorption. Solutions of wetting agent (like, e.g., lithium bromide) can be added using a high-precision peristaltic pump. Previously in a muffle furnace oxidized samples can be transferred into the Pt- crucible. Typically, a larger sample amount is prepared in a ceramic crucible and then fed into the fusion machine. Afterwards, flux and, when indicated, wetting agent can be added. This method helps saving preparation time and protects the Pt crucibles.
The HAG system prepares oxidic sample materials by borate fusion for spectroscopic analysis. It uses high frequency fusion process which produces 29-, 32-, 34-, 36- or 39-mm diameter glass beads of exceptional analysis precision. All the following steps are fully automated within the HAG system: Sample dosing, flux weighing, fusion and transport of glass beads to the XRF, cleaning of crucibles and casting dishes. All processes are under control of PrepMaster. The software provides a complete sample management system, monitors all critical parameters, and ensures trouble-free operation.
Input tray magazine - Several options of the sample input magazine are available including 62 position sample magazine and a 200, 300 or 400 vial position tray magazine. The magazine can be connected to the preceding preparation cell or can be manually loaded. There is also a 10-position manual sample input magazine in the weighing unit where samples can be registered. The tray magazine has a x-/y/z- gripper transporting the vial inside the unit and into a barcode reading position where the sample ID can be established. The vial is placed on a transport system and transported to the fusion machine. Priorities can be set and changed on the fly. The PrepMaster control system visually indicates the status of each vial like, e.g., ‘to be analyzed’, ‘already analyzed’, ‘in fusion machine’, ‘high priority’ etc. In case that a bead is rejected within the system, the sample is collected from the magazine and automatically re-run on the system.
Dosing Module - The HAG system provides extremely accurate and precise dosing of sample and additives. The dosing unit consists of up to three dosing stations, a sample mixing station, buffer position for Platinum crucible, and a release agent dosing station. All stations are operated by a small robot. Samples in vials are placed into one of the three dosing units. For the fusion process, flux and sample are alternately weighed into the crucible to achieve an optimal dilution of both substances. Subsequently, the crucible is transferred to the mixing station, where flux and sample are homogenized. Optionally, a release agent can be added. Finally, the crucible is placed on a turntable ready to go to fusion.
Optimized fusion processes - The HAG-HF uses modern high-frequency generators. The infinitely adjustable temperature (ranging from 385°C to 1300°C) is continuously controlled using infrared pyrometers. This allows a reliable temperature control during all fusion steps. Moreover, permanent temperature monitoring permits direct oxidizing of certain materials within the Pt-crucible. The crucibles are oscillated in a circular movement to improve homogenization of the melt. Additionally, the crucible can be tilt by 45°. The molten material is poured into a preheated casting dish. Afterwards it cools down to the ambient temperature. After solidifying, the casting dish is further cooled down by blowing with compressed air. Fused beads with standard diameters of 29 mm, 32 mm and 34 mm can be produced.
High-precision temperature control - The inductive fusion process not only allows the temperature of the melt to be set quickly and exactly to the desired target value. The technology also ensures precise temperature control. With the temperature calibration unit (optional), the individual emissivity of each crucible can be determined and monitored over the lifetime of the crucible. This enables even more precise temperature determination during the fusion process. The automatic vision system can also be used for automatic crucible identification. In addition, the crucible can be oriented before each digestion process so that the pyrometric temperature measurement always takes place at the same crucible position.
Transport to the XRF spectrometer - The HAG-HF transfers only intact castings to the transport system. A sensor detects crystallized or broken beads and ensures that they are discarded. To prevent contamination of the analysis surface during transport, the beads are not transferred directly to the transport system. With the side to be analyzed facing downward, they are placed on the edges of a holding ring. This ensures that only perfect glass beads are transported to the analysis equipment.
Cleaning - After the fusion process, crucibles and casting dishes are automatically cleaned using a heated ultrasonic bath system (option). The cleaning fluid in the bath is automatically renewed at freely selectable intervals. The cleaned crucibles and casting dishes are rinsed by distilled water and blown dry with hot air. After the cleaning process, the weight is measured to guarantee perfect cleanness.
Fusion Module - According to the sample load, the fusion module consists of 4, 6 or 8 heating units. Each heating unit has two heating positions for the crucible and the casting dish. A linear system transports the sample from the turntable to the heating unit, fused bead to the XRF belt, and dirty crucibles and casting dishes to the cleaning module. The crucible is heated by induction. During this process, the sample can be swirled to aid the mixing. In parallel, the casting dish is heated to a predefined temperature. When the heating cycle is complete, the sample is automatically poured into the casting dish. The bead is allowed to cool within the casting dish. Depending on the sample type different cooling regimes can be used such as fast cooling with compressed air. The heating station is under control of a pyrometer. Therefore, it is possible to setup individual heating profiles for every sample type like, e.g., 500°C for 2 min, 1000 °C for 3 min and 1100 °C for 1 min. Before transported to the XRF, a special detector confirms that the fused bead is not cracked or moon shaped.
High-precision temperature control - The inductive fusion process not only allows the temperature of the melt to be set quickly and exactly to the desired target value. The technology also ensures precise temperature control. With the temperature calibration unit (optional), the individual emissivity of each crucible can be determined and monitored over the lifetime of the crucible. This enables even more precise temperature determination during the fusion process. An automatic vision system can also be used for automatic crucible identification. In addition, the crucible can be oriented before each fusion process so that the pyrometric temperature measurement always takes place at the same crucible position.
Cleaning Module - The automated cleaning module for dirty crucibles and casting dishes (option) consists of one or two ultrasonic baths, a washing unit, and a drying unit. 14 crucibles and casting dishes can be cleaned simultaneously in the ultrasonic cleaning module. Crucibles and casting dishes are placed in the ultrasonic bath at elevated temperature in citric acid. Afterwards, they are transported to the washing unit where they are washed with normal tap and demineralized water. Before being returned to the dosing module they are dried with hot air blowers. All cleaning parameters can be adjusted with the PrepMaster system.