Particle separator FSA

airlaboratory

Overview
The Fast Screening Andersen (FSA) is an AIM (Abbreviated Impactor Measurement) variant derived from the Andersen Cascade Impactor (ACI). AIM uses simplified, highly sensitive metrics for routine batch release and QC after a full-resolution APSD baseline has been established during development.

Product summary
The FSA is a modified ACI providing a reduced stage stack plus filter (F) to enable faster, sensitive screening for aerosol particle sizing in Quality Control and Product Development environments.

Applications
Quality Control (FSA-QC) – Stages 0 (or -1, or -2A) and F are used together with a Stage X selected to approximate the product MMAD determined from full-resolution cascade impactor testing.

Product Development (FSA-HRT) – Stages with cut-off diameters at 5.0 μm and 1.0 μm are available for MDI applications at 28.3 L/min. For higher flow rates (60 and 90 L/min) stages with traditional ACI cut-points of 4.7 μm and 1.1 μm are available, primarily for DPI applications.

Key features

• AIM tester based on the Andersen Cascade Impactor (ACI)
• Reduced stage stack plus filter (F) configuration for fast screening
• Configured variants for Quality Control and Product Development (FSA-QC and FSA-HRT)
• Available stage cut-points suited to MDI and DPI flow rates (28.3, 60, 90 L/min)
• Designed for routine QC when full APSD baseline is established in development

Technical specifications

• Model name: Fast Screening Andersen (FSA)
• Manufacturer / Brand: Copley Scientific
• Instrument type: AIM (Abbreviated Impactor Measurement) tester derived from the Andersen Cascade Impactor (ACI)
• Typical configuration: reduced stage stack plus filter (F)
• QC configuration (FSA-QC): Stages 0 (or -1, or -2A) + Filter (F) used with a Stage X chosen to approximate product MMAD
• Product development configuration (FSA-HRT): stages with cut-off diameters at 5.0 μm and 1.0 μm for MDI at 28.3 L/min
• DPI-relevant cut-points: ACI traditional cut-points of 4.7 μm and 1.1 μm available for flow rates of 60 and 90 L/min
• Primary purpose: rapid, sensitive screening for batch release, QC and method development where full APSD baseline is known
• Data analysis approach: supports Efficient Data Analysis (EDA) using simplified but sensitive metrics rather than full-resolution cascade impactor profiles