Raw ingredients can be assessed on a regular basis to keep watch on batch and source variation and finished products in powder form can undergo a full assessment to measure the properties (e.g. fully flowing, caking, cohesion) that will be experienced by a consumer or user.
The range of manufacturing industries that benefit from Powder Flow Analysis is large and ever-growing and researchers in all powder sectors have published work using their Powder Flow Analyser – here are a few examples.
Food ingredients: Welcomed by all sectors of the food industry, Powder Flow Analysis allows accurate and objective testing of ingredients, blends and finished products, as diverse as lecithins, flours, coffee granules, drinking powders, sugar, sweeteners, spices, pulses, salt, seasonings, herbs and milk powder.
Read our blog post | Watch our video of examples | Published work – Example 1, Example 2, Example 3
Pharmaceutical powders: Objective and repeatable testing combined with ranking of dry powder samples can provide significant opportunities and benefits. These include optimising batch and source selection in terms of cost and quality; the development of best mix formulations; optimising scaling up and process conditions; and maintaining product quality control. Innovative technology provides such data either by measuring and comparing products capable of flow, or by assessing sample behaviour under test conditions simulating in-process or product handling conditions. Best-practice raw material purchasing, processing efficiency, waste minimisation and product quality - before and after storage, packing and transportation - are all desirable for manufacturers. The application of practical powder rheology is a valuable tool for achieving these goals.
Read our blog post | Watch our video of examples | Published work
Grain products: Some of the most common powder handling problems arise when conveying from storage silos or bins into production. Often the powder or grain will have been motionless for hours, days, or even weeks before flow is required. Over this time, most powders or granules will compact with the result that far more energy is needed to cause flow than in aerated samples. On the other hand, powders used immediately after transport, which may have involved agitation or more pronounced vibration, will have been aerated and flow more easily than others that have been stored. Cornflour, Couscous, Flour (white), Flour (wholemeal), Oatbran, Polenta, Rice (flaked), Tapioca and Wheatbran.
Read our blog post | Watch our video of examples | Published work – Example 1, Example 2
Cleaning and washing products: As costs are required to be driven down, the substitution of expensive constituents with lower cost powders is an attractive prospect. Although these substitutes may be produced to the same specification as the original substance, they may not necessarily store, convey and process as easily. Discovering this after production has started would incur downtime and additional cost. Final product quality may also be compromised.
Read our blog post | Watch our video of examples
Nuts, seeds and pulses: In these products, many common manufacturing problems are attributed to powder or granule flow, including segregation, inaccurate filling of packaging, obstructions and stoppages. These in turn lead to machine downtime and defective end-products. Storage, handling, production, packing, distribution and end use can all be negatively affected by common powder/granule flow problems.
Read our blog post | Watch our video of examples
Personal care powders: The PFA is particularly welcomed by the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries as it allows objective testing of ingredients, blends and finished products, from eye shadows and foundations to gels and face powders, baby powder, bath salts, denture cleanser, face powder, foot powder, protein powder and slimming powder. Product development teams can evaluate the flow properties of new excipients, active ingredients and formulations, predicting their behaviour prior to commencing large-scale production. They can also check how new powders interact with existing constituents. This speeds up development time and minimises “trial and error” tactics, especially important when certain ingredients are extremely valuable and may have only been produced in small quantities.
Read our blog post | Watch our video of examples
Building and decorating materials: Many common manufacturing problems are attributed to powder flow, including non-uniformity (segregation) in blending, under- or over-dosage, inaccurate filling, obstructions and stoppages. These in turn lead to rejected material, machine downtime and defective end-products. Storage, handling, production, packing, distribution and end use can all be negatively affected by common powder flow problems. These materials include cement, interior filler, plaster, sawdust, sugar soap, tile grout, wallpaper adhesive and paint.
Read our blog post | Watch our video of examples
Garden products and animal feed: Handling and processing powders, particulates and granules is central in product processing, but has traditionally been fraught with problems due to their unpredictable and irregular behaviour, specifically with respect to flowability. With so many raw materials and semi-finished products in powder form, such as bird sand, grass seed, insect food, Nyjer seed and plant fertiliser, this sector stands to gain significant manufacturing and commercial benefits from improvements in the assessment of powder flow.
Read our blog post | Watch our video of examples
To read about ‘Measuring Powder and Granule Properties to anticipate problems’ using the Powder Flow Analyser and a wide range of other powder measuring tools for the Texture Analyser, request the article here.
There is a Texture Analysis test for virtually any physical property. Contact Stable Micro Systems today to learn more about our full range of solutions.
For more information on how to measure texture, please visit the Texture Analysis Properties section on our website.
The TA.XTplus texture analyser is part of a family of texture analysis instruments and equipment from Stable Micro Systems. An extensive portfolio of specialist attachments is available to measure and analyse the textural properties of a huge range of food products. Our technical experts can also custom design instrument fixtures according to individual specifications.No-one understands texture analysis like we do!
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