Imagine a scenario where you have received the wrong alloy from a supplier. There are many things that could go wrong — the paperwork for a shipment could be missing, a metal would have been wrongly stamped, or the materials would have got mixed up in the warehouse.
What do you do?
Do you assume and take a risk that could have disastrous effects on clients and business. Or, do you execute a quick and reliable quality control (QC) process?
If a QC process is introduced to attain 100% Positive Material Identification (PMI), it would mean that you are setting high expectations for the instrument.
Mikko Järvikivi, the LIBS expert at Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science, enlists six reasons why a handheld laser analyzer, like the Hitachi’s Vulcan instrument can make a difference to PMI QC processes.
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1) They are Fast
Laser technology has progressed a lot over the years. The second generation LIBS analyzer, Vulcan, is known for being among the fastest on the market. Ideally, the tool can be used to verify the incoming materials quickly, controlling warehouse inventories, and factory floor quality control.
2) Low Cost of Ownership
Although accidents do happen, the Vulcan is built to be strong such that repair and maintenance bills are reduced effectively. Sapphire glass, which is one of the toughest materials currently known, is used to protect the measurement optics.
Moreover, in contrast to XRF handheld analyzers, which use x-rays to inspect materials, no expensive certifications or training courses are required. The laser does not ionize radiation and therefore samples can be held in your hand when they are being tested.
3) It is Virtually Non-Destructive
Laser technology is practically a non-destructive technique. While a small burn mark is left on the surface of a sample, only a tiny amount of material is consumed. The type of material being analyzed decides the visibility of the burn mark (for example, aluminum or stainless steel). A lot of customers regard the LIBS burn mark as surface roughness, not a product defect.
4) It is Accurate
The Vulcan handheld laser analyzer comes with a wide range of calibrations that cover all types of common alloys such as nickel alloys, low alloy steels, stainless steels, aluminum alloys, and so on. With an integrated grade library of more than 1500 alloys, the Vulcan offers reliable grade identification when required.
5) It is Easy to Use
User related errors have to be avoided. A Vulcan has no complex settings, and does not require a bench-top shield or stand when measuring minute parts. In contrast to using an XRF analyzer, the Vulcan can be safely held in your hand while measuring. An easy-to-read 4.3 inch screen and a battery life of up to 8-10 hours ensure that the analyzer can be used all day long, providing accurate results on a countless number of samples.
6) Flexible Reporting and Data Management
It is possible to download reports using a USB stick, or send through Wi-Fi to the cloud service from where the data can be accessed anytime, anywhere.
For more information on how a Vulcan could help with quality control, customers can talk to one of the company’s experts or book a demonstration.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science.
For more information on this source, please visit Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science.