Stable Micro Systems patents blade design
design which is incorporated into the recently-launched Powder
FlowAnalyser accessory, forming part of its line of food texture
analysers.
Stable Micro Systems has been granted full US Patents for its blade design which is incorporated into the recently-launched Powder FlowAnalyser accessory, forming part of its line of food texture analysers.
The blade is a true helix and can be mathematically described. The company claims that the helical blade naturally cuts through a column of powder and negates the need for complex torque measuring systems.
Repeatably manufactured by CNC machining, it allows Stable Micro Systems to achieve reproducible, and highly discriminating results from what the company describes as a simple and lost cost accessory.
Commenting on the patent, Jim Walker, technical director at Stable MicroSystems, said: "The design of the blade is the single most importantfactor in achieving repeatable powder flow measurements. The non-helicalblade used on other instruments is bent from a flat sheet and presents alarge flat central area to the powder being tested. It effectivelycompresses a column of powder beneath the blade during its travel paththrough the sample. As a consequence, any axial force readings beingtaken are corrupted and these instruments are forced to rely on torquemeasurements because of the inadequacies of blade design."
As the company exports its equipment on a world-wide basis, patents have also been applied for across the globe.
Based in the UK, Stable Micro Systems offers full design, manufacture and product support facilities of high quality texture analysis and powder characterisation equipment for a variety of applications including the food industry.
