The automated test sieve shaker plays an important role in many Quality Control programs. Quality managers from a wide range of manufacturing settings, including those found in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, chemical and food processing industries, rely on mechanized test sieve shakers to ensure that the products they produce are of consistent quality and composition, regardless of when or where they are produced. This is because these shakers are the key to conducting effective particle-size analysis using sieve testing methods.
The first automated test sieve shaker was introduced to the market in the early 1900s. Prior to that time, sieve testing was a manual process which relied on human input in order to ascertain the relative size and distribution of particles within test samples. During testing, laboratory technicians had to “tap” or shake them by hand in order to separate larger particles from smaller ones in their quest to determine the overall composition of the sample being tested. This process was tedious, time-consuming and highly susceptible to human error.
One problem with this manual method of sieve testing was that it was virtually impossible to control and regulate. For example, some testers would shake the test sieves more vigorously than others. This, in turn, would cause excess static to build up on the test screens and lead to inconsistent final results. In addition, the amount of force applied to the sieves by a single individual would often vary throughout the testing process. Again, this type of discrepancy could interfere with the outcome of individual tests.
Without question, the fluctuations associated with manually shaking test sieves led to a number of challenges in terms of collecting meaningful data. Fortunately, the introduction of the automated sieve shaker has alleviated many of these concerns for Quality Control professionals.
Here are 3 Benefits of Using an Automated Test Sieve Shaker for Particle-Size Analysis:
- More Consistent and Accurate Results. The first mechanical test sieve shaker was designed to replicate the hand motions used in manual testing scenarios. By automating this process, test sieve shakers are able to provide a much higher level of continuity throughout the testing process. As a result, they can produce more accurate and repeatable results regardless of when or where a test is performed.
- Increased Efficiency. Manually shaking test sieves is both time consuming and labor intensive. A mechanical sieve shaker is able to replicate and replace the human input needed to perform this type of testing. This means that more material can be tested in less time and with fewer resources invested.
- Cost Savings. Employing humans to conduct these tests represents ongoing costs in the form of wages and fringe benefits. In addition, downtime related to illness or personal absences also translates into lost productivity and increased opportunity cost. The modern shaker is both reliable and durable. As a result, it doesn’t require a lot of expensive maintenance or need replaced often. Over time, these factors can translate into substantial cost savings.
Based on these reasons, it is easy to see how the automated test sieve shaker has vastly improved the use of sieve testing to perform particle-size analysis for Quality Control purposes.
