Equipment Report

The Niton Analyzers business unit of Thermo Electron Corp., Billerica, Mass., has introduced a portable analysis tool for light element content in alloys.

The company says the Niton XLt 898He "provides fast, laboratory-quality chemical analysis of light element content in aluminum and titanium alloys, as well as nickels, superalloys, stainless steels and more."

The interior of the XLt 898He’s measurement head is filled with helium, which purges atmospheric air from the X-ray analysis path, allowing light element X-rays to contact the XLt’s high-resolution X-ray detector. "As a result," according to Thermo, "Niton XLt operators can now confidently measure light element alloy content with the same analyzer that they use to test high-temp alloys—a feat previously impossible with a handheld, portable analyzer."

More information on the Niton XLt 898He is available online at www.thermo.com/niton.

Briquetting Systems of Vancouver, B.C., Canada, is offering the Hydrospeed 80 model.

According to the company, the unit is capable of compacting metals in chip and dust form, as well as Styrofoam, paper, wood or plastics, into flat-sided briquettes for easier stacking. The shape dies can also be configured into cylindrical briquettes at the user's option.

The briquetter uses 5,000-psi hydraulic cylinders to generate high compaction force to produce logs from fines. It is capable of compacting hard-to-work-with metals that can bridge in other machinery, the company claims.

The unit’s double-acting main press cylinders compact from both ends, designed to produce less breakup of briquettes during handling. The dual traverse motion forming die allows a finished briquette to be discharged while a new one is forming.

More information on the Hydrospeed 80 can be found at www.briquettingsystems.com.