Cement electric fusion machine FTA-2000

polymerfor laboratory

Overview

Our patented FTA-2000 glass-bead fusion system integrates advanced automation, dual high-precision balances (0.1 mg) and thermogravimetric functionality to produce glass beads for XRF while measuring Loss-On-Ignition (LOI)/Loss-On-Fusion (LOF) on the same sample. The instrument is tabletop-sized for cement, mining and materials laboratories and designed for largely unattended operation.

Key capabilities

• Performs glass-bead fusion with simultaneous LOI/LOF using configurable 12- or 16-position carousels for 40 mm or 35 mm beads (configurable overall for 4–16 crucibles).
• Operates as a multi-step, multi-sample thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) with fully configurable temperatures, gases, times and analytical parameters.
• Dedicated LOI mode: processes up to 16 samples in 15–20 minutes at user-configurable LOI temperatures (typically 1000 °C).
• Fully automated sample handling with autoloader (12- or 16-crucible capacity) and optional robotic integration for end-to-end hands-free workflows.

Operational overview

• Two digital balances (external and internal) with 0.1 mg sensitivity directly connected to PC for automatic weight recording.
• External balance for initial weighing of crucibles, samples and flux; internal balance beneath the furnace measures crucible weight at high temperature during fusion (balance pedestal passes through furnace orifice).
• Furnace carousel (12 or 16 crucible positions) raises, rotates, lowers, tilts and agitates crucibles for accurate positioning, mixing and weight measurement.
• Automated flux LOI calibration: software can fuse a flux-only bead to determine flux LOI and optionally include a flux-only crucible per batch for per-batch correction.
• Configurable automatic bead cooling after transfer to the autoloader.

Design innovations and user benefits

• Peristaltic pump delivers a controlled, highly diluted non-wetting agent after final bead weight measurement to eliminate unpredictable evaporation and fusion-weight variability.
• Reduced operator weighing tolerance (±30 mg) compared with manual methods by using automated flux LOI determination and integrated balances.
• Energy-efficient electric furnace: a 16-crucible configuration can operate on approximately 2 kW, lowering lab energy and HVAC requirements.
• Eliminates the need for manual glass-bead pouring, reduces platinum-ware usage and decreases crucible cleaning frequency, saving time and consumables.
• Minimizes toxic gas exposure through precise peristaltic dosing of diluted non-wetting agent.

Automation and software

• Supports overnight unattended operation and full automation when integrated with optional collaborative robotic arm and conveyor/tray system containing pre-weighed vials.
• Windows-based software with ribbon bar, customizable panels, themes, a database, real-time bead weight charts and robust export to TXT, CSV and XLS for LIMS integration.

Analytical performance and productivity

• Simultaneous bead production and LOI/LOF measurement reduces bias by using the same sample for both processes.
• Electric furnace fuses 4–16 beads in approximately 20–30 minutes, increasing throughput versus manual methods.
• Detailed sample weights and real-time charts enable precise determination of fusion completion and shorter cycle times.

Technical specifications

• Model: FTA-2000 (Fusion Thermogravimetric Analyzer).
• Number of beads: configurable for 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 or 16 beads; supports 35 mm and 40 mm beads.
• Balance sensitivity: 0.1 mg (internal and external).
• LOI/LOF range: 0–100% (weight loss/gain).
• Temperature range: 200–1150 °C, ±1 °C accuracy.
• Instrument control: operable via desktop/laptop PC with USB; Windows-based software.
• Dimensions: Width 55.4 cm x Length 60 cm x Height 57 cm; autoloader height 33 cm.
• Weight: 60 kg.
• Power requirements: 220 V AC, ~2 kW.
• Safety/environment: peristaltic dosing of diluted non-wetting agent to minimize emissions.