QICPIC/R
Dynamic Image Analysis
up to 2k x 2k and 500 fps

QICPIC/R is the next generation High Speed Image Analysis sensor comprising:
A nanosecond light source for quasi-static imaging of fast moving particles, an open measuring zone for the combination with powerful and well established dry and wet dispersers, double telocentric optical modules mounted on a carrousel for the imaging of even extended aerosols and suspensions at highest contrast and precision, and a high speed CMOS camera for the acquisition of large particle numbers (> 100 million) per measurement in short measuring times..

QICIC/R with dry disperser RODOS/L and vibratory feeder VIBRI/L, front view

The QICPIC/R family is available with different camera and frame grabber options currently covering up to 4.2 MPixel and up to 500 fps with 8 Bit resolution using the recently launched CoaXPress interface providing a transfer rate of up to 25 GBit/s.

As the full grey level information of the image is always transferred, sophisticated algorithms are used for the calculation of the optimum thresholds and the best binarisation of the images. The resulting particle size and shape distribution offers high accuracy and unrivalled low statistical errors.

Sympatec’s data base and network oriented WINDOX software in combination with today’s hexa-core PCs allows for the acquisition and storage in real-time, concurrently to the evaluation and presentation of various size and shape parameters. The software supports WINDOWS™ 7 and 8 Pro (32 and 64 bit) and is 21 Rule 11 and ISO 13322-1/2 compliant.

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MIXCEL - A Closed-Loop Wet Disperser for The Dynamic Image Analysis Sensor QICPIC

MIXCEL is a wet dispersing system designed for the analysis of suspensions in a closed-loop setup for particle sizes from 1 to 3500 µm, including applications with particles of higher density.

The closed loop wet disperser MIXCEL in combination with the dynamic image analysis sensor QICPIC

Special emphasis has been put on the precise measurement of the volume fractions of wide size distributions or mixtures. The necessary homogenized suspension is generated via an optimised mixing by stirrers in a special basin under optimised flow conditions.

Cuvettes with gap width from
30 µm to 6 mm are auto-detected by RFID and adjustable under software control for the optimum focus. A motor driven insert / release of the cuvette simplifies handling. A powerful centrifugal pump supports proper and smooth transport of the suspension even at high viscosities and smallest gap widths of the cuvettes. Sonication up to 60 W is provided.

The basin is suitable for 300 to 1000 ml. For temperature control it operates as a heat exchanger for an external laboratory heating / cooling device. A wide range of liquids is supported, as all parts in contact to the medium are stainless steel, glass or PTFE. MIXCEL is available in two versions: semi-automatic with automated fill via a liquid dosing meter, and automatic with automatic fill, and a special top lid comprising additive, sample rinse, and cleaning tools.

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FIBROS - An Innovative Fibre Disperser for QICPIC

QICPIC has been proven as a powerful tool for the detailed investigation of fibres. In addition to the well established dry disperser RODOS Sympatec has released the fibre disperser FIBROS. This device performs an automatic and smooth dispersion of even strongly agglomerated fibre assemblies by a sophisticated combination of rotating nozzle and brush with static teasel and sieve. The dispersed fibres are vertically sucked through the fall shaft of the measuring zone of the gravity disperser GRADIS to a vacuum cleaner behind the instrument.

QICPIC M9 with fibre disperser FIBROS comprising the cylindrical dispersing chamber with a swiveable glass lid on top of the vertical shaft of the gravity disperser GRADIS for the dispersed fibres. The operational panel and display of the GRADIS can be used for the manual set-up of the parameters.

All parameters such as rotational speeds of nozzle and brush as well as the primary pressure for the nozzle and the vacuum inside are set-up or monitored under software control. Easy access to the dispersing chamber and the fall shaft simplify cleaning of the device. As standard laboratory sieves with 200mm diameter are used in combination with various teasels, FIBROS can be adapted to a wide field of applications, e.g. for wood fibres.

Wood fibres which are perfectly dispersed by FIBROS

WINDOX Enterprise Software

As with all former WINDOX releases this single software supports all Sympatec instrument families, dispersers, feeders and samplers. It runs on a single PC but great importance has been attached to the handling and storage of data in a large company environment with several instruments and separate data base servers connected by a company network.

The WINDOX Enterprise Database Administration allows for the management of databases, scheduled backups concurrent to the operation of the measuring systems, and a well structured definition of user rights.

The access and management of the Firebird^TM data base has been completely redesigned, using latest software technologies such as C# and .NET with the following benefits for the user:

a) All database accesses are realised as extended transactions. A permanent connection to the data base server is no more required. So the accessibility and integrity of the database is maintained under all conditions, even in jammed or low performance networks.

b) Databases are addressed logically using named "locations". Their physical representation on the storage media can be modified or extended, without reassignment of the databases on the measuring clients. Access to the servers is compliant with even restrictive company security policies.

c) The administration of databases and user rights can be performed remotely by a defined group of WINDOX administrators from any PC in the network without file access rights on the server.

WINDOX Enterprise (version 5.8.1) is released as first installation or update of former WINDOX 5 releases and is compliant with CFR 21 rule 11.

LIQIBACK - A Recycling Module for Dispersion Suspensions

The operation of wet dispersers becomes costly if special dispersion liquids such as alcohols or organic solvents are used. For the re-use of dispersing liquids Sympatec offers LIQIBACK, a recycling module suitable for all our wet dispersers and most of the dispersing liquids used.

LIQIBACK comprises a sequence of two sedimentation reservoirs and two subsequent cartridge filter stages and a impeller pump, the latter operation is controlled by the disperser.

The two reservoirs (20 litre each) are manually filled with the dispersing liquid. The liquid is pumped by an impeller pump through the two 10" cartridge filters (1µm and 0.45µm) to the fill connector of the dispersing unit. The loop is closed by connecting the drain connector of the disperser to the first reservoirs, which also acts as a sedimentation stage. Two differential pressure gauges monitor the filter condition. For easy access to the filter cartridges, the filter stage can be lifted and tilted by 40°. As the materials in contact to the liquid are stainless steel and PTFE a large variety of liquids can be used. A pump motor with ATEX approval is available as an option.

LIQIBACK lifted and ready for exchanging the filter cartridges.

TWISTER & MYTOS with ATEX Approval for Gas & Dust and Hybrid Mixtures

The combination of continuous representative sampling by TWISTER and dry dispersion & laser diffraction by MYTOS has shown its suitability in various process applications since 1997. Meanwhile a complete family of samplers and sensors has become available for off-line, at-line, on-line and in-line applications, covering a size range from 0.25µm to 3500µm and process pipe diameters from 50mm to 660mm, including GMP and hazardous environments.

Process applications with the risk of ignition are covered in the EU by the ATEX directive, which has been renewed in 2003. Sympatec has recently received the ATEX approval from the German TÜV for the complete MYTOS & TWISTER family including the Very High Security Level.

Now systems which can be used in the following zones and the corresponding categories (to be supplied by the manufacturer in brackets) are available:

• 20 (dust 1D),
•   1 (gas 2G),
• 21 (dust 2D),
•   2 (gas 3G) and
• 22 (dust 3D).

For the first time also hybrid mixtures of gas and dust could be included in the approval.

The ATEX labels for Sympatec's MYTOS and TWISTER family received from the German TÜV.