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Portables in Action
Portables in action feature stories
FirstDefender RM Analyzers deployed in Fiji
The Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority has introduced two Thermo Scientific™ FirstDefender™ RM analyzers at the Nadi and Nausori international airports.
With Fiji's geographic location as a regional transit point, as well as the increase in drug trafficking in the region, it is critical for Fiji authorities to thoroughly monitor and nab suspect traffickers upon entering the country. "Given the current complex concealment methods such as body strapping, body insertions and practically anything you can think of, these scanners are surely enhancing our capability for these detections as well," says Visvanath Das, FRCA acting chief executive.
There are further plans to bring in additional analyzers at parcel post locations nationwide depending on the success of the initial two, according to Das. "These scanners are highly chemically selective and reliable, and have proven very successful with Australian Customs, New Zealand Customs and Papua New Guinea Customs."
Gemini: Safety and Security Industry Taking Notice
Fast but flexible. Powerful but intelligent. The Thermo Scientific™ Gemini™ analyzer expands chemical coverage while minimizing time on target.
The analyzer's innovative design has the Safety and Security Industry taking notice. Check out our recent international technology awards.
Acuren Inspection Selects Thermo Scientific™ Niton™ XRF Analyzers
My name is Reid Biffle (pictured left) and I’m a PMI Technician with Acuren Inspection of Houston, Texas. I’ve been in the PMI field for about four years. As a PMI technician, we’re at the mercy of our equipment. This is the reason that Acuren has chosen to make Thermo Scientific™ Niton™ XRF analyzers our XRF of choice. Over my four years in this industry, I have used a variety of instruments. The reason I choose this brand is simple – reliability! These instruments are built to last. Period. In the environments that we’re used to working in, that’s a must-have.
I’ve put these instruments to the test under a variety of conditions - from sub-zero temperatures in North Dakota to hanging ropes over Chesapeake Bay – and they just keep impressing me! My current instrument is a Thermo Scientific™ Niton™ XL3t GOLDD+, but I have been fortunate enough to beta test their newest XRF analyzer, the Thermo Scientific™ Niton™ XL5. This new instrument has too many features for me to give a really thorough review, but I’ll give you a list of what I found most outstanding about it!
- Battery Hot Swap – This was a GREAT addition. I cannot tell you how many times I have been in the field and forced to shut my equipment down to swap a battery. Not only does this delay the job but you can lose focus or your place very easily.
- Battery Trickle Charge – Possibly the simplest, yet (in my opinion) greatest update to the Niton XL5. This addition gives you the option to charge a battery from the same charger you use for your mobile phone (micro USB). A terrific example of developing a product with the needs of its users (me!) in mind.
- Micro AND Macro Camera – This feature not only helps the user with the accuracy of the shot BUT also saves a photo of the entire test piece. This definitely helps when it comes to reporting and keeping shots in order.
- Smaller, More Ergonomic Design – Weighing in at less than three lbs. and noticeably smaller than my Niton XL3t GOLDD+ analyzer. This opens up a whole new world, leaving virtually no area unreachable. It also puts less strain on the user, especially on extended jobs.
- New User Interface – The new interface was extremely user friendly. When field testing, the shot time was noticeably faster as well.
Niton XRF analyzers are by far the leader in the industry when it comes to XRF technology. These instruments have exceeded my expectation in every task I have put them through.
I’ve put these instruments to the test under a variety of conditions - from sub-zero temperatures in North Dakota to hanging ropes over Chesapeake Bay – and they just keep impressing me! My current instrument is a Thermo Scientific™ Niton™ XL3t GOLDD+, but I have been fortunate enough to beta test their newest XRF analyzer, the Thermo Scientific™ Niton™ XL5. This new instrument has too many features for me to give a really thorough review, but I’ll give you a list of what I found most outstanding about it!
- Battery Hot Swap – This was a GREAT addition. I cannot tell you how many times I have been in the field and forced to shut my equipment down to swap a battery. Not only does this delay the job but you can lose focus or your place very easily.
- Battery Trickle Charge – Possibly the simplest, yet (in my opinion) greatest update to the Niton XL5. This addition gives you the option to charge a battery from the same charger you use for your mobile phone (micro USB). A terrific example of developing a product with the needs of its users (me!) in mind.
- Micro AND Macro Camera – This feature not only helps the user with the accuracy of the shot BUT also saves a photo of the entire test piece. This definitely helps when it comes to reporting and keeping shots in order.
- Smaller, More Ergonomic Design – Weighing in at less than three lbs. and noticeably smaller than my Niton XL3t GOLDD+ analyzer. This opens up a whole new world, leaving virtually no area unreachable. It also puts less strain on the user, especially on extended jobs.
- New User Interface – The new interface was extremely user friendly. When field testing, the shot time was noticeably faster as well.
Niton XRF analyzers are by far the leader in the industry when it comes to XRF technology. These instruments have exceeded my expectation in every task I have put them through.
I’ve put these instruments to the test under a variety of conditions - from sub-zero temperatures in North Dakota to hanging ropes over Chesapeake Bay – and they just keep impressing me! My current instrument is a Thermo Scientific™ Niton™ XL3t GOLDD+, but I have been fortunate enough to beta test their newest XRF analyzer, the Thermo Scientific™ Niton™ XL5. This new instrument has too many features for me to give a really thorough review, but I’ll give you a list of what I found most outstanding about it!
- Battery Hot Swap – This was a GREAT addition. I cannot tell you how many times I have been in the field and forced to shut my equipment down to swap a battery. Not only does this delay the job but you can lose focus or your place very easily.
- Battery Trickle Charge – Possibly the simplest, yet (in my opinion) greatest update to the Niton XL5. This addition gives you the option to charge a battery from the same charger you use for your mobile phone (micro USB). A terrific example of developing a product with the needs of its users (me!) in mind.
- Micro AND Macro Camera – This feature not only helps the user with the accuracy of the shot BUT also saves a photo of the entire test piece. This definitely helps when it comes to reporting and keeping shots in order.
- Smaller, More Ergonomic Design – Weighing in at less than three lbs. and noticeably smaller than my Niton XL3t GOLDD+ analyzer. This opens up a whole new world, leaving virtually no area unreachable. It also puts less strain on the user, especially on extended jobs.
- New User Interface – The new interface was extremely user friendly. When field testing, the shot time was noticeably faster as well.
Niton XRF analyzers are by far the leader in the industry when it comes to XRF technology. These instruments have exceeded my expectation in every task I have put them through.
Lightweighting Absence of Malice: Inspecting for Tramps
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology is increasingly being adopted in the auto making industry as a way to understand which elements are being incorporated into the making of a car – on the spot, and in real time.
*Published in the March 2016 issue of Fabricating & Metalworking magazine
Advancements in PMI Tools Bring Accuracy and Convenience to the Work Site
An increasing number of facilities are adopting a 100% PMI program to ensure that every metal component is made up of exactly the desired chemical composition. To do so, more and more plants are adopting portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology, which brings increased reliability and accuracy to material analysis in a manner that can reduce the risk of accidents while offering significant cost and time savings.
*Published in the March/April 2016 issue of Inspectioneering Journal
Not Just for Analyzing Metals Anymore
Thermo Scientific Niton XL5 Portable XRF Analyzer is Suitable for Evaluating Oils, Troubleshooting Machinery
If you need to sort through a small pile of metal scrap to separate steel items from aluminum, or if you need to figure out if a stray tube is carbon steel or stainless steel, a magnet is the way to go. However if you need to identify an alloy and quantify its chemical composition (elemental content), you need something more sophisticated. This is where X-ray fluorescence (XRF) can be helpful.
*Published in the December 2015 issue of The Fabricator
Worry-free EP Compliance with TruScan RM
The Thermo Scientific–contributed article "Are you Ready for EP Compliance" was published in the March/April print version of European Pharmaceutical Manufacturer. The article discusses the introduction of new performance criteria for Raman spectrometers by the European Pharmacopoeia, effective April 1, 2016. These new specifications give pharmaceutical manufacturers clear guidance on the requirements for use in GMP environments. Overall, these changes should streamline the deployment of handheld solutions for the release of raw materials.
Niton XL3t Prevents Potential Material Mix-up
Highlighting the importance of Positive Material Inspection at fabrication plants, PMI personnel using the Thermo Scientific™ Niton™ XL3t Analyzer recently identified a mislabeled flange, prior to fabrication.
The flange was being assembled as part of a pilot manifold circuit used for igniting flare systems installed on an offshore oil-production facility.
After a 5.6 second test, the results screen of the Niton XL3t clearly shows the material as SS-304, not SS-316, as marked.
The difference is critical. SS-316 is more suitable for severe industrial conditions, requiring a higher level of corrosion resistance than that provided by SS-304. With two to three percent molybdenum, SS-316 offers corrosion resistance to nitric acid, acetic acid and saline environments, where exposure to chlorides and other solvents is expected.
PMI with Niton XRF is ideal for 100 percent raw material verification. Our handheld analyzers can help minimize material mix-ups, reduce costly repair work and prevent premature equipment failure – or worse.
FirstDefender Makes a Difference in New Zealand
Contraband Magazine, published by the New Zealand Customs Service, reports that the Thermo Scientific™ First Defender™ Analyzer is being used successfully at the country's International Mail Centre.
Customs Manager for Cargo Operations Bruce Berry explains, "The portable analyser, FirstDefender, is now the top testing tool used to target suspicious substances coming in through mail. Using this fantastic device has made it faster, easier and safer to check packages. We’re identifying drugs in seconds at the press of a button."
"The beauty of this device is that its laser beam penetrates through certain packaging, so they often don’t even need to be opened. This saves a lot of time, so officers are able to spend more time on screening more packages."
In six months, FirstDefender has been used for over 3200 tests, with more than 1200 substances, or around 40%, indicating the presence of drugs -- cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, ecstasy, hashish, cannabis and khat – and the list goes on.
Turning Trash into Cash
The Thermo Scientific™ Niton™ XL2 100 precious metals analyzer made an appearance on the Today Show in June. In a segment titled Turning Trash into Cash, world renown pawnbrokers Les and Seth Gold of American Jewelry and Loan – and stars of the Hard Core Pawn television show – used the analyzer to test viewers’ jewelry, right outside in Rockefeller Plaza. Niton XL2 is fast, simple and accurate - -and now a TV celebrity!
ABC News Investigates
A recent episode of ABC’s 20/20 focused on the prevalence of dangerous counterfeit products being sold illegally across the US – namely prescription medicine. The 20/20 team went inside Eli Lilly’s laboratory to test suspected counterfeit drugs using the Thermo Scientific™ TruScan™ RM handheld analyzer to identify the materials they were made out of. The TruScan RM was able to reveal that a counterfeit Viagra pill was actually filled with the same material used for dry wall plaster. By leveraging widely accepted Raman spectroscopy, the TruScan RM analyzer can identify hundreds of materials with a single scan. The TruScan RM can be used by non-experts and experts alike, and is able to analyze unknown samples through their packaging. The TruScan RM also helps pharmaceutical manufacturing companies efficiently and accurately verify the raw materials used in production.
Mining|Metals
Mining|Metals
Mining|Metals