Plant safety, consistent manufacturing quality and the reliable, non-destructive verification of critical parts are set to receive a boost with the announcement of the new X-MET8000 handheld (X-ray fluorescence) XRF analyser. The X-MET8000 from Oxford Instruments enables reliable, accurate alloy identification, securing quality assurance and safety compliance throughout industrial plants and manufacturing facilities worldwide.
For manufacturing environments, incoming material and parts, through to finished assemblies, can be checked in seconds against the X-MET’s comprehensive grade library, the largest library on the handheld XRF market. With extremely low limits of detection, the X-MET8000 is able to provide accurate grade separation e.g. 303/304 stainless steels or 6061/6063 aluminium alloys.
When safety and product compliance is paramount
Component failures at petrochemical or power generation facilities can have terrifying consequences. Production issues due to incorrect grades of alloy material lead to tarnished reputations, loss of livelihood and environmental pollution. The X-MET8000 allows the testing of vital components at all stages of the assembly process.
Plant maintenance personnel can accurately verify material through PMI, ensuring that the precise quality of alloy is being used. Miniscule percentages of trace or tramp elements, which may dangerously affect the alloy’s properties, can be determined and future problems averted. Weld composition analysis is much simpler due to the optimised nose design of the X-MET8000, allowing testing inside bends and corners.
Fast, accurate and versatile verification
Optimised geometry of the large-area SDD (silicon drift detector) and X-ray tube delivers exceptional speed and superior sensitivity. Light elements analysis (from Mg to S) can be achieved in a few seconds meaning commercial alloys such as aluminium alloys and aluminium silicon bronzes can be identified reliably and rapidly. Battery life does not suffer either. With an uninterrupted full working shift of 10-12 hours and initial start-up taking just seconds; a 100% PMI programme can be established - with no operator fatigue - the ergonomic X-MET8000 is perfectly balanced and lightweight -1.5kg (3.3lb).
The integrated bright, high contrast 11cm (4.3”) LCD touchscreen ensures optimal viewing, even in direct sunlight. Reducing testing time, even with gloves on, an easy-to-read interface coupled with large functional icons make the instrument simple and quick to use. The X-MET8000 is able to store 100,000 results, including spectra and sample images.
Fit for purpose with a low cost of ownership
Industrial component suppliers and plant operators increasingly need to accurately and quickly verify alloys, whether this is for resistance to corrosion or mechanical characteristics, as specified by the component or system design. The flexible and easily customisable results screen means that information important to the user is clearly displayed.
The critical nature of PMI means that the X-MET8000 must operate reliably, across a wide range of conditions, on an extensive range of assembly type and size. A rugged enclosure and IP54 rating (NEMA 3) withstands the harshest working environments, an optional shield protects the detector and X-ray tube when testing small or pointed objects. No tools required to replace the quick-swap analysis window. Christelle Petiot, Product Manager, Oxford Instruments, said “So, as engineers are raising the bar on critical component performance through innovative material specification and alloy characteristics - Oxford Instruments has raised the bar with the X-MET8000, ensuring that it is possible to perform 100% PMI for safety or quality needs, in almost any location, with greater accuracy and in-turn reducing expensive component re-work and the risk of serious incidents”.
For more information: www.oxford-instruments.com/x-met8000
