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6 May 2008; Welland, UK: Translation of the latest software and data analysis package for the FT4 Powder Rheometer from Freeman Technology has been completed, with French, German and Spanish versions now available. In a further move, which reflects the continuing global development of the company’s business, multi-language versions of the FT4 User Manual will be released shortly. The FT4 User Manual provides a thorough guide to all aspects of this universal powder tester and its applications.
The FT4 Powder Rheometer provides comprehensive powder flowability data that can be correlated with processing experience to aid efficient processing and quality control. It provides automated shear testing, dynamic flowability and bulk properties measurements making it a universal powder tester for formulators, process engineers and QA specialists.
For further details please visit www.freemantech.co.uk
Click here for press release information (PRL286_EN) |
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PM2008 – World Congress on Powder Metallurgy & Particulate Materials (June 8-12, 2008 Washington D.C.)
Reg Freeman, managing director of Freeman Technology (Welland UK) will be presenting a paper at PM2008 during the World Congress Technical Sessions.
The paper is entitled the ‘Characterisation of Powder Bulk Dynamic Flow & Shear Properties in Relation to Die Filling’ and reports work carried out using the company’s FT4 powder rheometer.
Knowledge of powder behaviour during preparation, transfer and filling in the die filling process is very important in powder metallurgy, since each will influence the quality of the final component. Process and powder characteristics need to be compatible for achieving high productivity and quality during manufacture.
The FT4 allows reliable and reproducible characterization of powder behaviour and correlations developed using shear, dynamic and bulk property measurements can extend basic understanding and make for better powder formulation and improved process design.
For further information on the PM2008 World Congress and the Technical Program please click here
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Booth #2745 International Powder & Bulk Solids (May 6-8, 2008; Rosemont IL)
Visitors to the Freeman Technology booth at International Powder & Bulk Solids (May 6-8, 2008; Rosemont IL) will learn how the FT4 Powder Rheometer is helping users harness their powder processing experience, enabling them to correlate processing behaviour with a range of measured powder characteristics.
Too often powders display their complex behaviour in uncontrolled ways, potentially compromising both process operation and final product quality. Those working with powders have always gained experience through successful problem solving, but until recently more fundamental knowledge was scarce.
The FT4, now regarded as a universal powder tester, allows reliable and reproducible characterization of powder behaviour. This makes it increasingly easy to marry experience and information. Such correlations, developed using shear, dynamic and bulk property measurements to rationalise experience, extend basic understanding and make for better powder formulation and improved process design.
Specialists from the Freeman Technology team will be available throughout the show to discuss individual powder processing challenges. Visit the Freeman Technology booth #2745.
Click here for press release information (PRL278_EN) |
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Having made its first direct appointment in the United States in 2007, powder characterization company Freeman Technology has seen continued growth in sales of the FT4 Powder Rheometer into this market, with the pharmaceutical sector particularly strong. Since taking up the role of Application Specialist for Freeman Technology in the US, John Yin has established a base in New York from where the company is providing a range of applications and technical support. John and other specialists from the Freeman team will be on hand at Interphex to discuss all aspects of powder characterization.
The FT4 from Freeman Technology has evolved to become a universal powder tester and is proving important in linking processing experience with powder characterization data. This extension of basic process understanding translates into better powder formulation and improved process design.
Managing director Reg Freeman is clear about the benefits of mining the often extensive experience that resides within manufacturing companies:
"The properties of powders that do or do not flow well in a process can be measured and correlated with processability experience. Using this information we can determine the optimum powder properties for a particular process line, and can predict the processability of a new formulation or begin to understand batch to batch variablility," he said.
"Unlike traditional single number assessments of powder characteristics, the FT4 provides comprehensive information. It is this measurement of dynamic flow, shear and bulk properties that more closely reflects the complexities of powder behaviour, enabling us to make correlations and draw on real experience."
For further details, meet the Freeman Technology team on Booth #1169.
Click here for press release information (PRL276_EN) |
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A specialist team of analysts has been introduced to manage the growing workload generated by increased uptake of the powder characterization service offered by Particle Technology Labs Ltd (PTL) (Chicago, US). The service, which is built around the use of the Freeman Technology FT4 Powder Rheometer, was introduced at Pittcon in 2005. It has been fully operational for more than two years and demand has increased significantly this year. Since the inception of the service a wide range of industrial powders has been tested, including ceramics, cement and pharmaceutical materials.
PTL is an established laboratory that is highly experienced in the characterization of fine particles. The powder characterization service was established in response to a growing demand from clients who wanted more information about the flow properties of their powders.
Bill Kopesky, Laboratory Manager at PTL confirmed the benefits that their clients are seeing. "Using the FT4 we undertake a series of flowability studies with the dynamic testing regimes available on the instrument. We also use it for shear testing where required. If two powders behave differently, or a powder’s behaviour changes, then we can really start to examine the differences," he said. "Clients have, for example, been able to use the data we generate to allow them to change a formulation, and clearly monitor the results. People tend to be very impressed at the degree of sensitivity that can be achieved in showing differences between powders."
The lab also acts as a reference site in North America for the FT4 and operates the powder characterization service in close conjunction with Freeman Technology. The powder processing experience and expertise of the Freeman team provides additional support on data interpretation and in relating results back to real-world processing situations.
For details of PTL’s powder testing service contact Bill Kopesky at +1 (630) 969-2703 or visit them on the web at www.particletechlabs.com.
Click here for press release information (PRL270_EN) |
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Powder characterisation company Freeman Technology has appointed John Yin as Application Specialist for the United States. This is the company’s first direct appointment in the US market.
Managing director Reg Freeman confirmed that the move will enable Freeman Technology to further develop applications and technical support for its growing customer base in the United States. "We have always specialised in developing close relationships with our clients, and providing the highest standard of service and support direct from the UK," he said. "While this will continue, John Yin’s appointment allows us to take the first steps towards local support in the US."
John Yin joined Freeman Technology early in 2007. He spent several months working with the team at the company’s UK headquarters before returning to the United States to establish a base in New York.
Educated in Engineering Chemistry at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, John has considerable international experience in sales and marketing instruments for surface and particle characterisation.
Click here for press release information (PRL263_EN) |
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At a ceremony held today (Thursday 27 September 2007) Mr Michael Brinton, Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, presented the Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2007 in the category Innovation to Reg Freeman, managing director of Freeman Technology. The presentation took place at the company’s headquarters in Castlemorton Common, Welland, UK.
Since being named as a recipient of the Queen’s Award in April this year, Freeman Technology’s order book at home and in overseas markets has continued to grow. The proven benefits to clients of the FT4 Powder Rheometer, backed by the priceless recognition of a Queen’s Award have further accelerated the company’s growth.
Freeman Technology manufactures and markets the FT4 Powder Rheometer, a unique universal powder tester that is used in laboratories around the world to measure the flow properties of an extremely wide range of materials. The company has an established base of customers in Europe, the US and Japan, where the FT4 is used in manufacturing industries as diverse as ceramics and pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and powder coatings.
Using patented technology, the FT4 allows manufacturers to characterise powders in ways that relate directly to their processes, giving a sound basis for process management, optimisation, efficiency, increased productivity and improved profitability.
As one client, Dr James Pugh, Senior Engineer at Enser Corporation in Florida, explained: "Our business is heavily involved in the processing and utilization of powders from synthesis to product implementation. As such, the knowledge and understanding of unique powder properties is crucial. The centrepiece of our powder analytical laboratory is the Freeman Technology FT4 Powder Rheometer. In less than one year we have run over 600 individual powder tests with the rheometer and have directly applied the findings to production."
The powerful performance of the FT4 combined with the expert instrument and applications support provided by Freeman Technology before, during and after installation, leads users to improved understanding and control of their powders and processes.
Looking to the future, Reg Freeman is confident of continuing market penetration and stated, "We can provide the instrumentation and know-how to help clients meet the challenges of handling and processing powders. This is a strong foundation for the future growth of our business as we continue to develop with, and serve, the powder processing industries."
Click here for press release information (PRL267_EN) |
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Freeman Technology is launching a new accessory for the FT4 Powder Rheometer at this year’s Annual Meeting & Exposition of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (11-14 Nov 2007; San Diego, USA). The new 1 ml Shear Cell will allow fully automated shear testing of powders on the FT4 using the minimum possible sample volume. This is a major consideration for many pharmaceutical materials and will allow the study of powder flowability characteristics at an early stage in formulation development when only small volumes may be available. The new accessory extends the range of shear cells for the FT4, adding to the existing 85 ml and 10 ml capacity systems.
Widely used within the pharmaceutical industry, the FT4 is an automated, precision-engineered system designed for the rapid and consistent characterisation of powders. Centred on a revolutionary, patented design it offers dynamic, shear and bulk property measurement in a single system and is a universal powder tester. This integrated testing approach allows the characterisation and understanding of powders in industrially relevant ways. This makes the FT4 an ideal tool for formulation and process development, troubleshooting and QC applications.
Closely defined measurement protocols, including a unique pre-measurement conditioning step give the FT4 unsurpassed reproducibility and accuracy, maximising its ability to differentiate between samples. It can therefore be used to accurately quantify the impact on powder behaviour of a range of factors including aeration, segregation, consolidation and composition.
Booth # 3236
AAPS Website: http://www.aapspharmaceutica.com/meetings/annualmeet/am07/index.asp
Click here for press release information (PRL262_EN) |
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At Interphex India, Freeman Technology will demonstrate the company’s unique FT4 Powder Rheometer. Widely used within the pharmaceutical industry, this automated, precision-engineered system is designed for the rapid and consistent characterisation of powders. Centred on a revolutionary, patented design it offers dynamic, shear and bulk property measurement in a single system and is a universal powder tester. This integrated testing approach allows the characterisation and understanding of powders in industrially relevant ways. This makes the FT4 an ideal tool for process development, troubleshooting and QC applications.
Closely defined measurement protocols, including a unique pre-measurement conditioning step give the FT4 unsurpassed reproducibility and accuracy, maximising its ability to differentiate between samples. It can therefore be used to accurately quantify the impact on powder behaviour of a range of factors including aeration, segregation, consolidation and composition.
Click here for press release information (PRL270_EN) |
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Dr Ludwig Schneider who joined powder characterisation company Freeman Technology in December last year, has taken up the role of Applications Specialist, focusing on supporting customers in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and France. He is one of a number of new appointments made by the company in recent months, reflecting continued sales growth in Europe, the USA and Japan.
Having studied and worked in Germany, France and the UK, Dr Schneider brings considerable expertise to the position of Applications Specialist. He has a PhD in powder metallurgy, has conducted post-doctoral research into powder flowability, powder compaction and discrete element modelling of powder assemblies.
Dr Schneider will provide technical and applications support to users of the FT4 Powder Rheometer, a universal powder tester that unifies three methodologies in a single instrument – the measurement of bulk, shear and dynamic properties. The system is used across many different industries to deliver a comprehensive picture of powder behaviour, whatever the processing conditions.
Click here for press release information (PRL241_EN) |
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Freeman Technology’s FT4 Powder Rheometer is proving to be a central piece of instrumentation in the analytical laboratory at the Enser Corporation in Florida, USA. Enser Corporation designs, develops, qualifies and manufactures high reliability storage batteries for a wide range of military applications.
Dr James Pugh, Senior Engineer at Enser Corporation, explained: "Our business is heavily involved in the processing and utilization of powders from synthesis to product implementation. As such, the knowledge and understanding of unique powder properties is crucial. The centerpiece of our powder analytical laboratory is the Freeman Technology FT4 Powder Rheometer. In less than one year we have run over 600 individual powder tests with the rheometer and have directly applied the findings to production."
The FT4 is a universal powder tester that unifies three methodologies in a single instrument - the measurement of bulk, shear and dynamic properties. In doing so it delivers a comprehensive picture of powder behaviour, whatever the processing conditions.
Engineer, Tony Lang, added: "The FT4 has been an integral part of at least two Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grants and will be applied to future grants as well. We look forward to many years of productivity and support from the instrument and collaboration with Freeman Technology."
For details of the products and services of the Enser Corporation visit www.ensercorp.com.
Click here for press release information (PRL239_EN) |
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Welland, Worcestershire, UK: 21 April 2007: Freeman Technology is proud to announce that the company is to receive the Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2007, considered to be the UK’s most prestigious commercial prize. Freeman Technology’s award is in the category of Innovation and recognises the development, commercialisation and sales success of the company’s FT4 Powder Rheometer.
The FT4 is a unique universal powder tester that is used around the world to measure the flow properties of an extremely wide range of materials. Freeman Technology has an established base of customers in Europe, the US and Japan, where the FT4 is used in manufacturing industries as diverse as ceramics and pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and powder coatings.
Using patented technology, the FT4 allows manufacturers to characterise powders in ways that relate directly to their processes, giving a sound basis for process management, optimisation, efficiency, increased productivity and improved profitability.
Freeman Technology’s founder and managing director, Reg Freeman, said:
"We are extremely pleased to be receiving the Queen’s Award for Enterprise - particularly for our innovation. It’s a great testament to everyone who works in or is associated with the company."
"I feel that we are just so lucky to have a great team, an outstanding working environment and very interesting and diverse markets in industry and academia worldwide."
"Since we introduced the first powder rheometer in 1999, Freeman Technology’s pioneering approach has been to work with our clients to increase our understanding of powder behaviour and help resolve processing issues by developing new ways of testing powders."
"What most excites me is that our clients are recognising that powder characterisation is now viable - that powder processing is being transformed from an art into a science by measurements that are differentiating and highly reproducible. We can provide the instrumentation and the know-how to help them meet these challenges. This is a strong foundation for the future growth of our business as we continue to develop with and serve the powder processing industries."
The FT4 offers automated bulk, shear and dynamic property measurement in one instrument - producing data that correlate with real processing behaviour. It can help solve powder processing problems that can range from bridging at hopper outlets, through unwanted fluidisation and air entrainment, to batch variability and issues with tabletting, encapsulation and vial filling.
Powders are tested in a consolidated, conditioned and aerated state to fully characterise flow behaviour and the factors influencing it. This facilitates the rapid identification of properties with a critical impact on performance. The FT4’s patented dynamic methodology and unique conditioning step, coupled with automated test programmes eliminate operator-to-operator variability and deliver unsurpassed precision and reproducibility. As a result the instrument is highly differentiating. Testing is fast - a test programme is typically complete in around 5 minutes - while the latest software delivers rapid data analysis, remote from the laboratory where necessary.
Click here for press release information (QUEENS_EN) |
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A new version of the Aeration Control Module for Freeman Technology's FT4 universal powder tester extends the operating range down to an extremely low air velocity of 0.02 mm/s. Since aeration is arguably the single most important parameter influencing the flow properties of a powder, accurate determination of its effects at all flow rates is critically important. The high degree of control at very low flow rates that this module now delivers is essential for characterising powders that are sensitive to the addition of a very small quantity of air, such as toners and some powder coatings.
The Aeration Control Unit allows fine control of air flow through a powder under test, enabling fully automated measurement of flow properties as a function of increasing levels of aeration. The FT4 can be used to determine the flow properties specification needed to optimise production and achieve the required product quality. On a day-to-day basis it has applications in verifying that powder flow properties meet the necessary specifications, for predictable and consistent processing performance.
Click here for press release information (PRL227_EN) |
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Freeman Technology, leaders in the field of process relevant powder flow measurement, will exhibit the FT4 powder rheometer at the Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences (APS) Inhalation 2007 meeting in Bath (UK) 27 - 28 March.
The FT4 incorporates automated test protocols for the measurement of a range of bulk, shear and dynamic powder properties. Designed for use within the pharmaceutical industry, it has wide application for optimising powder formulations with the required flow behaviour: for example, inhalation characteristics relating to the flow properties of the bulk powder during dosing, and the fluidisation and permeability properties relating to delivery.
The FT4 is a universal powder tester that allows characterization of a sample in a range of complementary ways. It offers unsurpassed reproducibility and repeatability thanks to a unique conditioning step that ensures that powders are measured in a standardised state. Automation makes testing rapid and simplifies instrument operation.
The theme for APS Inhalation 2007 is Innovation through Integration, the focus of the meeting being the complementary roles that science, technology and regulation play in developing successful new pharmaceutical products. For further details visit www.apsgb.co.uk.
Click here for press release information (PRL223_EN) |
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The latest accessory for Freeman Technology’s FT4 powder rheometer allows the flow properties of powders to be studied under vacuum. Reducing the air pressure, and hence the entrained air in the powder, can lead to dramatic changes in flowability. Since a number of unit operations in powder processing may be carried out under vacuum (including drying, filtration, pneumatic transfer and dosing) it is important to understand the behaviour of powders under these conditions.
The FT4 is a fully automated, universal powder tester that can be used to characterise powder behaviour under aerated, conditioned, consolidated and now vacuum conditions. In this new test mode, vacuum is applied to a powder sample through the system’s standard aeration base. The FT4 allows the rapid and systematic investigation of dynamic behaviour as a function of applied vacuum and other variables, such as flow rate, moisture content and composition. By characterizing a powder in a range of complementary ways, the FT4 builds a complete picture. This information can be linked to process performance and used to predict the likely behaviour of a powder in specific processing equipment.
Click here for press release information (PRL188_EN) |
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A new module for the Freeman Technology FT4 Powder Rheometer allows fast, fully automated measurement of wall friction using standard or custom materials in contact with powders under test. This new module further extends the capabilities of the FT4, a system that is rapidly becoming a universal powder tester.
Wall friction is an important consideration both in the design of processing plant and in predicting how a powder will process in a given plant. In all processing machinery, powder is required to flow within containing surfaces such as hoppers, chutes and pipes. The frictional resistance between a given surface and the powder moving over it can be important in determining the smoothness or consistency of the powder transfer process. This frictional resistance depends on the powder characteristics, the material from which the surface is made, its finish and any surface treatments.
The FT4’s new wall friction module allows experimental measurement of frictional resistance with a total test time of around 10 minutes. A 48 mm diameter disc of the appropriate material and finish is used to compress a powder sample through a step sequence of predetermined normal stresses. At the same time, the disc is rotated and the shear stress is determined from measurements of the frictional torque at each stress level. The wall coefficient of friction is then calculated from the slope of the shear stress versus normal stress data.
The wall friction module comes with a set of four grade 304-stainless steel discs with various surface finishes. The simplicity of the disc design means that additional discs featuring specific materials and surface conditions can be produced easily.
Click here for press release information (PRL160_EN) |
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At Interphex 2006 (March 21-23, 2006; New York), Freeman Technology will introduce a Permeability Module for the company’s FT4 Powder Rheometer. The permeability of a powder is a measure of the ease with which air can pass through it under specified conditions. It has considerable significance in relation to powder processing, especially the influence that it exerts on a powder’s ability to entrain and release air. These characteristics can greatly affect flow behaviour and process efficiency.
The FT4 Powder Rheometer is a fully automated universal powder tester for the comprehensive characterization of powder flowability. The new Permeability Module uses a pressure transducer to measure pressure drop across the height of a powder bed in the system’s test vessel whilst the air velocity through the powder is controlled. Importantly, conditioning of the sample before evaluation ensures a homogeneous, stress-free and reproducible packing condition.
Permeability measurements using the FT4 can be conducted in a variety of ways to suit specific requirements. These include: measuring pressure drop versus air velocity at zero bed compression stress; using a porous piston to apply specific compression stresses to the sample while maintaining a fixed air velocity through it and measuring pressure drop as a function of the applied bed compression stress; or maintaining a specific bed pressure drop and measuring the air velocity versus bed compression stress.
The FT4 Program Editor allows construction of all the above testing programs and variants of them. Once started, the entire test sequence runs automatically. Comprehensive data analysis enables the rapid production of graphical representations of all the measured data.
You will be able to find Freeman Tehnology at Booth No. P2355
Click here for press release information (PRL171_EN) |
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The latest additions to the data analysis suite for Freeman Technology’s FT4 Powder Rheometer further extend the range of data analysis procedures available for the system. The new capabilities include Mohr circle construction, a function that allows users to get maximum information from yield loci profiles obtained from shear cell measurements.
The FT4 is a universal powder rheometer used to conduct a wide range of powder flowability tests. These provide a means to characterise the flow properties of powders and relate them to performance in process. New options allow fast and fully automated shear testing in addition to the FT4’s dynamic measurements of powder flowability. Thanks to the sensitivity of the system, shear strength measurements can be made over a range of normal stress conditions varying from about 100 Pa to 90 kPa for pre-consolidation stresses varying from zero upwards.
Comprehensive data analysis, which can be tailored to individual needs, is a feature of the FT4 software. Automated Mohr circle analysis of data from shear testing normally derives unconfined yield strength, major principal stress, internal angle of friction, cohesion value and flow function (ffc). All data can be represented in graphical or report formats.
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