Whether working in a research lab or pharmaceutical production facility, accurate and repeatable powder measuring is essential for product quality and process efficiency. When dealing with fine powders, proper measuring tools become vital to achieve precision and minimize waste. Let’s explore some key powder measuring equipment that enables excellence in lab and pharma contexts.
For research labs, powder scales capable of tiny increments are indispensable. Scales like the Mettler Toledo ML Series allow weighing of powders down to the milligram (mg) with high accuracy. This enables precise measurements needed for experimental procedures and chemical reactions. Lab powder scales feature draft shields, overload protection, and calibration functions to maintain weighing fidelity.
When working with toxic, radioactive or hazardous compounds, enclosed powder isolators are recommended. These isolators use sealed negative pressure chambers with built-in scales and powder dispensing tools. Isolators fully contain the powder to prevent exposure during measuring and transfers. Powderplex’s Split Butterfly Valve Isolator is an advanced option suitable for the most sensitive substances.
Dispensing powders in specific volumes is also commonplace in labs and pharmaceutical settings. Powder dispensers come in manual and electronic versions to accurately meter out powder volumes. Manual dispensers like the IntelliPak from Sartorius allow users to adjust volume settings. Electronic dispensers integrate with scales to automatically measure the desired powder quantity.
For pharmaceutical production and quality assurance, more heavy-duty powder handling equipment is required. Powder inductors transfer bulk quantities of loose powders through suction or mechanical conveyance. These industrial-scale powder measurers feed raw ingredients to blending and milling machinery through hoses and chutes. AZO’s Turbo Twin Conveyor uses dual screws to accurately induct volumes.
Downstream in the pharmaceutical process, powder checkweighers verify correct fill amounts in containers like sachets, bottles and vials. These automatic scales quickly reject under or over-filled units to ensure consistent product quality. For potent drugs, containment powder checkweighers add isolation capability to protect operators.
Whether performing lab trials or bulk production, pharmaceutical powders must also comply with density and moisture content specs. Powder testing tools like multivolume pycnometers and loss-on-drying moisture analyzers check these critical attributes. Testing ensures powders align with pharma guidelines before usage.
While this covers major equipment types, additional innovations continue advancing powder handling efficiency and safety. Choosing the optimal tools for your specific powder measuring needs ensures quality, precision and protection at every stage. For mission-critical applications, invest in purpose-built powder measuring solutions.