Oxford Instruments launches mPulse handheld sorters

Oxford Instruments, based in the U.K., has introduced the mPulse, billed as an ultra-fast metal alloy sorter, to its range of products. The company says the mPulse is the first handheld Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) metals analyser on the market. It is available in two options: mPulse and mPulse+.

Both units are designed to enable users to identify a wide variety of metal alloys at the press of the trigger and measure light and heavy elements up to 10 times faster than other handheld XRF instruments, the company says. The company says the mPulse has no costly detector or limited-lifetime X-ray tube to replace.

According to Oxford Instruments, the mPulse analyser is designed for the rapid identification and sorting of heavier alloys such as stainless steels, nickel, copper, cobalt, titanium alloys and more. The sorter makes measurements in just one second regardless of the alloy type, the company says.

The mPulse+, for aluminum sorting, is described as the fastest aluminum sorter on the market, up to 10 times faster than other handheld XRF instruments. The company says it is able to separate even the close grades such as aluminium 6061 and 6063 in one second. The mPulse+ is designed for ultra-fast sorting of a wide range of metal alloys including magnesium and aluminum alloys, stainless steels, nickel, copper, cobalt, titanium alloys and more.

The sorters are powered by LIBS technology, so radiation safety training classes and user certifications are not required, the company says.

Designed for low cost of ownership, the sorters feature a strong sapphire window to protect the analysis head, safeguard against the need for repairs and prevent contamination of the optics.

The mPulse analysers are ready to use with minimal training required, the company says.

“Based on feedback from our customers, our continuous development programme has allowed us to make enhancements to further improve our calibrations resulting in rapid yet accurate analysis for virtually any alloy sorting need,” says Mikko Järvikivi, product manager LIBS, Oxford Instruments.