Spotlight Centrifuges, Stirrers & Shakers Key Role in Pigment Processing
A Malvern Mastersizer laser diffraction particle size analyser is playing an important role in the development and evaluation of specialty mixing systems at the Test & Development Center of Charles Ross & Son Company, New York. The company’s PreMax mixer with Delta rotor/stator improves pigment dispersion ahead of media milling operations in the production of inks and coatings. Both the developers and users of the PreMax employ the Mastersizer to track pigment dispersion as mixing progresses, allowing optimisation of PreMax operation for different applications and process conditions.
Despite huge advances in the formulation of pigment-based inks and coatings, production invariably remains a two-stage process, with the pigment being wetted out to produce the pre-mix, which is then milled to the required particle size.
“Typically the focus at the premixing stage is simply to achieve adequate wetting of the dry pigment,” said Christine Banaszek, Application Engineer at Charles Ross & Son Company. “We wanted to develop a more efficient solution that also reduces agglomerates of particles, in order to cut milling time. The Delta rotor/stator of the PreMax provides both high shear and vigorous flow in a batch mixing environment. Clearly particle size analysis was essential in evaluating our results, and the Mastersizer proved an excellent choice. Quick and easy to use, it enabled us, and our customers, to measure material at all stages of the process, and fully test the PreMax’s performance.”
The Mastersizer is a laser diffraction system for the rapid measurement of dry or wet particles. While the system itself offers versatility, a broad measurement range, reproducible sample dispersion and measurement, it is Malvern’s applications expertise, which really sets it apart. “Malvern has pioneered laser diffraction for more than three decades,” said Paul Kippax, Product Manager at Malvern Instruments. “The extensive knowledge and applications experience we have in this area comes not only from the scientific credentials of our in-house experts, but is also fostered through our strong relationships with customers such as Charles Ross & Son Company. Such relationships enable us to gain an even greater understanding of our customers’ needs and how to excel in meeting them, and has fuelled the success of the Mastersizer range.”
Circle no. 408
Microtitre Plate Incubator Shakes up the Life Science Market Launched at Analytica, the latest shaking incubator from Stuart®
is specially
designed for use with microtitre plates to meet the needs of life science labs. Offering the ideal shaking action for mixing very small volumes in well plates or micro tubes, the SI505 also dramatically reduces sample evaporation and features state-of-the-art microprocessor detection, setting and control of temperature.
ANALYTICA NEWS
Magnetic Stirring Bars Delivers Up to Three Times Wear Resistance
The SI505 complements Stuart’s highly successful SI500 shaking incubator, incorporating the same digital display, retractable stainless steel platform giving easy sample access, and USB connectivity for long-term monitoring of the incubator temperature on a PC. Up to four microtitre plates fit on the non-slip mat and a range of accessory racks for different tube sizes are also available for the SI505. The integrated timer can be set for any period from 1 second to 9 days and speed and temperature are independently controlled. An easy-to-use digital LED control panel enables temperature to be set between ambient temperature +7ºC and 60ºC,
while air distribution is controlled to ensure uniformity throughout the sample chamber.
Robert Skehens, Bibby Scientific Marketing Director, commented: “What sets the SI505 apart in the market is that it has been designed and built specifically as a microtitre plate incubator and shaker. With an orbit of just 1.5mm and high maximum speed of 1,250rpm, the shaking action is optimised for microtitre plates. By contrast, conventional shakers with a larger orbit of around 16mm and very much slower speeds cannot provide effective mixing for small sample volumes in well plates and micro tubes. Another key feature is the strategic placing of stainless steel water trays within the SI505. These maintain a humidity of up to 80% in order to minimise sample evaporation – a key issue when incubating microtitre plates.”
In common with other Stuart® benchtop equipment, the new shaking incubator benefits from BioCote® antimicrobial protection as
standard. This silver-based technology reduces the risk of cross-contamination and infection within the laboratory by eliminating surface level bacteria, mould and fungi.
Circle no. 409
Magnetic stirring bars, used to stir and mix everything from solutions in a cuvette to 55 gallon drums are standard equipment in many laboratory and manufacturing procedures.
Traditionally covered in PTFE, the durability of magnetic stirring bars can be cause for concern in many applications including the mixing of granular slurries or when extended stirring times are required.
New Compact Mini Centrifuge
Hoefer, Inc has introduced a new Mini Centrifuge. The unit is compact, easy to use and designed to meet the wide range of applications found in research.
The Hoefer Mini Centrifuge comes complete with two rotors - a 6-place rotor for 1.5ml tubes and a PCR Strip rotor.
Adapters are included to allow the 6-place rotor to also accommodate 0.5 or 0.4ml tubes. The small footprint requires less than six inches of bench space. At 6000 rpm/2000g the Hoefer Mini Centrifuge is perfect for quickly spinning down samples, micro gel filtration applications and micro-volume biological fluid centrifugation. The fast acceleration and braking make it perfect for these quick spins.
The Hoefer Mini Centrifuge automatically shuts off when the lid is opened but there is also an on/off switch as well so the lid can be closed without starting the unit. The Hoefer Mini Centrifuge is CE marked.
Circle no. 410
Bel-Art Products, has introduced Spinfinity™, a magnetic stirring bar that addresses these durability concerns and more. Product Manager Lenny Hernandez calls Bel-Art Products new Spinfinity™ magnetic stirring bars 'the next revolution in magnetic stirring durability’.
Hernandez explained: "Spinfinity stirring bars are manufactured under protected processes which encapsulate the magnet in a plastic material. The result is a covering that has zero porosity and two and a half to three times the wear resistance of PTFE coated magnetic stirring bars under conditions known to cause material breakdown."
He added: "Zero porosity makes Spinfinity magnetic stirring bars ideal for pharmaceutical, Q/A laboratories, and analytical applications where sample contamination is a principal concern."
The Spinfinity™ magnetic stirring bar is an octagon shape with a built-in pivot ring. This shape provides a greater surface area than a rounded bar and the interrupted profile of the pivot ring reduces friction and chattering.
In the lab, they can quickly be identified from other magnetic stirring bars by their distinctive purple color. Currently available in a 3" x ½" size, item 37190-0001 Spinfinity™ magnetic stirring bar has a list price of $34.00.
Interested in publishing a Technical Article? Contact Tamsyn Cox on +44 (0)1727 855574 or email:
tamsyn@intlabmate.com
Circle no. 411
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