Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science Film Handheld XRF Analyser at Bunting
By Paul Fears | 08 August 2021
Bunting welcomed the Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science team and a film crew to their recently extended Redditch manufacturing facility. In the Customer Experience Centre and goods inwards, Bunting uses a Hitachi High-Tech X-MET8000 handheld X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyser. The film crew recorded the Bunting team using the equipment, both in controlled laboratory testing of customer minerals and recycled materials and when receiving specific grades of metal sheet and bars.
The Hitachi High-Tech handheld XRF analysers provide ultimate portability with laboratory quality results virtually anywhere. The easy-to-use portable analytical instruments offer a full-day battery life with a customisable display big enough to see reliable chemical identification and material verification results. The X-MET8000 range of handheld X-ray fluorescence (HHXRF) analysers enable rapid alloy grade identification and accurate chemistry of a wide variety of materials (solid and powder metals, solutions, soil, ores, minerals etc).
Improving Material Testing
Bunting purchased the XRF analyser primarily to enhance the laboratory testing service provided at their Customer Experience Centre in Redditch, UK. As a leading global supplier of high-intensity magnetic separators, electrostatic separators and eddy current separators for the mineral processing and recycling industries, Bunting continuously tests client’s materials on a wide range of laboratory-scale separators.
The XRF delivers exceptionally quick results which enables laboratory staff to understand how materials are behaving when testing on magnetic separation and electrostatic separators. Adjustments to operating parameters such as belt speed, splitter position and capacity are assessed using the XRF, leading to selection and recommendation of the optimum separator and performance criteria.
Prior to purchasing the XRF, samples would be tested and returned to the customer for analysis and feedback. Undertaking the analysis in the laboratory reduces the time between testing and equipment recommendation by weeks and, when working on overseas projects, by months.
“The XRF has changed the way we undertake laboratory test work,” explained Neil Rowson, the Laboratory Manager at Bunting-Redditch. “The XRF enables the fine tuning of our tests and the easy and quick communication of results to our clients. This has significantly shortened the time between testing and the placing of an equipment order. We are also seeing an increase in demand for testing as potential customers learn about our capabilities.”
Checking Material Specification
Although the XRF was purchased for the laboratory, the analyser is also frequently used in goods inwards checking the specification of critical materials. Bunting’s extensive range of separation and detection equipment often requires a specific grade of stainless-steel or other metal. On receipt in goods inwards, Bunting’s storeman is able to quickly check and verify the material specification.
“The Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science XRF analyser has been a great investment,” said Adrian Coleman, the General Manager of Bunting-Redditch. “The XRF has helped both secure orders and the subsequent manufacture of equipment.”
Related Technical Articles
Separation Equipment – Mineral Processing & Recycling Laboratory
Bunting-Redditch has one of the most comprehensive magnetic and electrostatic separation testing laboratories in the world, serving industries including mining, mineral processing and recycling. Their Laboratory Technicians have decades of experience in mineral and material separation. Controlled tests ensure that the most suitable and cost-effective machinery is recommended for each application. The laboratory is equipment with a wide range of equipment including:
- Smaller scaled versions of industrial Magnetic Separators. This equipment is used to accurately scale up to industrial capacities and calculate performance guarantees;
- ElectroStatic Separator for both mineral beneficiation and recycling
For further information on our range of separation equipment, or to arrange sample tests in our laboratory, please contact us on:
Email: Gordon Kerr at GKerr@buntingmagnetics.com
Telephone: +44 (0) 1527 65858
All photographs taken by Paul Fears Photography
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