The APEX 400 press is our new hydraulic press. We have learned a lot from our customers about what makes a great hydraulic press for laboratory scale pellet preparation for XRF, XRD, OES, and other elemental analyses, and put all this knowledge into the new press.
Automating the small XRF lab
In the largest industrial applications of XRF, sample preparation is handled by robots picking samples from a conveyor and putting them through the whole analysis chain, from sample prep to XRF measurement. At the level below this, however, sample preparation is handled manually by technicians in the lab.
The APEX 400 is packed with features that help simplify the technician’s workflow, removing or simplifying steps from the process.
Ring dies
These are a standard feature of automated pellet preparation. The sample is pressed in a reusable steel supporting ring that can be removed directly from the pellet die after the sample has been compressed. The samples are kept in the supporting rings during the analysis at the spectrometer, after which the sample is broken out and the ring is returned to the sample preparation station.
Quickshift technology
Where ring dies are not appropriate you can still rapidly produce both unsupported pellets and pellets supported in crushable aluminium cups with Quickshift. This feature automatically shifts the pressure plate between its load and release positions to ensure that no manual intervention is required to extract the pellet from the die.
Lock-out program control
The press cycle is fully programmable with controls for load, timing, and ramp rate. What’s more, these programs can be locked by supervisors to ensure that operators do not adjust the program settings.
Higher speed
The hydraulic system is powered by brushless motors with variable speed control to move quickly and accurately to the desired load.
Looking after your people
Specac takes workplace safety and occupational health seriously and we know that our customers want the same for their employees. The APEX press is equipped with standard features that should inspire confidence.
Ergonomic design
The press is designed to be used on a standard laboratory workbench. The access drawer is positioned at a comfortable height for repeated use. When the drawer is opened, the die is withdrawn to a position above the desk that allows samples to be easily poured from a container without spillage.
Safety features
The press features safety switches that prevent it from operating unless the drawer has been fully closed and the die correctly positioned. In the event anything does go awry, the press can be stopped immediately by hitting the red stop button on the top of the press.
Keeping your lab going
Nobody needs downtime in a busy laboratory environment. The APEX press is designed with servicing in mind, from easy access panels to modular components that are as easy as possible to replace.
Get in touch today
If you want to speak to one of our sales team about how the APEX press will speed up your workflow for XRF pellet preparation, please use the contact form below.
Related Posts
GET IN TOUCH