Handheld XRF analyzer for metal alloy identification, analysis, testing

Los Angeles, California – Officials from X-ray technology innovator Tribogenics, have commercialized the X-ray industry’s first sub-$10,000 handheld XRF spectrometer using new proprietary X-ray technology.  

Handheld XRF analyzers have become the standard for non-destructive elemental analysis, testing, and inspection in a wide range of industrial and consumer applications. Yet today, the X-ray industry uses technology originally developed in the 1800’s that relies on bulky, expensive high voltage transformers to generate X-rays. Developed in collaboration with DARPA and the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA), Tribogenics new technology eliminates the need for these expensive, high voltage products by using a process similar to static electricity (known as the triboelectric effect) to generate X-rays. The result – a new family of high performing, handheld XRF spectrometers at a fraction of the cost.

Called Watson XRF, the new XRF product instantly identifies, analyzes and tests a broad range of metals and alloys for positive materials identification (PMI), scrap metal recycling, quality assurance, and quality control for metal fabrication, machining and manufacturing. As the technology evolves, Tribogenics will feature more powerful X-ray sources to serve new multi-billion-dollar markets, including precious metals, rare earth elements, mining and oil and gas. 

“Our close collaboration with top physicists and scientists at UCLA and the work of our own highly talented engineering and research staff has been instrumental in driving our first commercial Watson XRF products to market,” commented Dale Fox, Chief Executive Officer, Tribogenics. 

According to market research firm SDI, more than 10,000 handheld XRF units were shipped in 2014. 

Fox added, “Watson XRF will expand the handheld marketplace, offer superior value to existing customers while enabling thousands of new customers to gain significant competitive and productivity advantages offered by this breakthrough technology.” 

Watson XRF technology in action: PMI
Tribogenics’ new Watson XRF products provide an immediate return. In PMI, errors or incorrectly identified metal alloys can cause untimely and cataclysmic parts failures, especially precision industries. Watson XRF helps mitigate risk ensuring that critical components come from the right metal alloy, and meet the correct specifications.

Metal machining, fabrication, and QA/QC
In metal machining and fabrication QC/QA environments, material confirmation of alloy in QA/QC is critical. The potential for mistakes are a big concern in the metal fabrication and manufacturing process. Here, Watson handheld XRF products inspect and analyze inbound raw materials, confirm the alloy grade and composition before the product is manufactured and shipped. 

Scrap metal recycling
The multi billion-dollar global scrap metal recycling industry is booming. Trading in scrap metal is at an all time high. As it grows, identifying alloys correctly has become a necessity for suppliers, distributors and industrial customers. Watson™ handheld XRF products quickly identify the composition of scrap, especially the emergence of impurities or unsafe elements. 

“Future generations of Watson XRF spectrometers could provide substantial value beyond the current application focus, including mining, geology, site analysis and extraction, industrial minerals evaluation, oil & gas,” noted Mark Valentine, COO and VP of Worldwide Sales. “For now, though, the feedback from the field has been highly positive as customers quickly recognize the technological advantages of the Watson XRF spectrometers and the immediate ROI these products offer,” added Valentine.

Field exchangeable cartridge, self-calibrating
Each Watson XRF handheld unit comes with an industry first, field exchangeable source cartridge. When customers need to change the source cartridge, they simply switch it out in the field or in the lab. Once exchanged, the Watson performs an automatic internal calibration. Unlike other XRF products, a Watson XRF solution has no downtime. No need to take a product out of production.

Source: Tribogenics