Letters

Another Look at Analyzers

To The Editor:

I feel compelled to take issue with a number of erroneous facts and errors of omission in the article on metal analyzing equipment (“Passing the Test,” Recycling Today, November 2000) that should be corrected.

A quote in the story implies that the TN Technologies and Niton instruments both weigh 10 pounds. In fact, Niton’s instrument, complete with battery, weighs just 2-½ pounds, and is the only truly handheld metal analyzer on the market. Another quote states that the TN device “is twice as fast as any other on the market.” I don’t believe it is appropriate that this type of sales hyperbole is included in an article such as this, but since it was included I feel the need to address it.

The latest model XRF analyzers from three manufacturers (Metorex, Niton, TN Technologies) can produce a chemical analysis result in two to three seconds. However since the result is based on a statistical analysis of X-ray events occurring over time, the short duration of the test will result in a wide margin of error for most elements. For certain “easy” alloys this may not be a problem, but this would not provide a reliable result in all cases.

Regarding instrument pricing referred to in the story, it is not mentioned that Niton introduced the XL-800S, with a single source at a street price of $25,000. Prior to this, competitors had been selling their respective systems at prices ranging from $40,000 for the older 1980s era systems, to $60,000 and up for newer analyzers. We firmly believed that by increasing accessibility to the technology, the size of the market for these instruments would grow proportionately. Sales have exceeded our expectations dramatically. In 1999, Niton Corp. shipped 300 XL-800S Series Alloy Analyzers in North America, more than four times that of either competitors’ best year on record. In the year 2000, we continued to ship approximately 30 of these instruments per month.

This brings me to the statement attributed to Mark Lotzkar of Pacific Metals. The author informs us “Mr. Lotzkar reports the [Niton] unit costs about $125,000.” This must be a typographical error. Niton’s portable analyzers range in price from $25,000 for a single-source instrument to $39,000 for an analyzer with three sources.

We also spoke with Ms. Lois Young at Skagit River Steel and Recycling regarding quotes attributed to her, since we were concerned that she felt the Niton instrument was “fragile.” Lois told us she feels this does not accurately reflect what she told the author. She says she does not recall using the word “fragile,” but what she was trying to say was that the instrument was a sizeable investment for them, and they could not hand a $30,000 instrument to anyone without specific training coming first. She added that she was very satisfied with our operator training.

In summary, I want to say that we truly appreciate Recycling Today’s attempt to educate its readers with regard to the different technologies and options available in metal analyzers. However, we strongly object to having Niton’s equipment characterized primarily through the misstatements (or misquotes) of those interviewed. As an advertiser and also as a reader of Recycling Today, I believe that your magazine is committed to providing correct information to its readers; and I am asking on behalf of Niton Corp. that you take steps to do so.

Respectfully,
Tom Anderson
Marketing Manager, Alloy Analyzers
Niton Corp.

Letters to the Editor can be sent to Recycling Today at 4012 Bridge Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44124; or faxed to (216) 961-4130; or e-mailed to btaylor@RecyclingToday.com. Letters may be edited for brevity or clarity.