The Innov-X Solution: Innov-X has created a very novel, user friendly approach to measuring magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), and phosphorus (P) in alloys. Our patent-pending solution integrates a small vacuum chamber inside the analzyer, sealed to the detector, front window of the XRF and the x-ray tube. The operator attaches a portable pump to the valve on the XRF, pumps for approximately 5 seconds, and detaches. As the vacuum is retained for over 6 hours, operators do not have to carry a vacuum pump or have a pump attached to the analyzer.
| |  |
How it Works: A small pressure sensor inside the analyzer continuously monitors the vacuum quality. When the pressure exceeds acceptable levels, the operator is alerted to re-connect to the portable pump to refresh the internal chamber. The pump is battery powered and completely portable. The operator may also tap the Vacuum Icon on the screen to check the internal pressure as well.
| | |
Why it’s Better: Compare the Innov-X solution to competing portable XRFs. Innov-X offers several advantages: - There is no need to wear a heavy tank of high pressure compressed gas on your back. Carrying pressurized gas is unwieldy at best, dangerous at worst.
- No consummables cost. Based on typical XRF duty cycles, using He gas will cost up to $10,000 annually just for helium replenishment.
- There is no need to have a vacuum pump constantly attached to the analyzer, which limits portability and ease of use.
- In one competing model, the sample face being analyzed is also under vacuum. This means for each sample the operator must bring the front end up to atmospheric pressure, change samples, pump down the chamber. This requirement greatly reduces sample throughput for only modest gains in performance.
| | |