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| awemawson:
In another thread the subject of identifying alloy compositions came up and I let slip that I had a couple of devices. I thought that this would be best handled in a new thread - so here it is! Some years back I was heavily into metal casting and wanted to identify what I was working with. I went through all sorts of processes - even got myself a spectrophotometer (now disposed of) but came up with two handy commercial devices designed to do the very job. A: An Analoy Portable Alloy Identifier B: A Metascop Metal Spectrascope. The Analoy Portable Alloy Identifier is a suitcase sized 'luggable' box of tricks that must contain an early microprocessor (never opened it up!). It works by striking an arc between the sample and a carbon / graphite point. The light from this arc enters an optical system that spreads the spectrum, and the critical lines in the spectrum are analysed for intensity. This is cogitated by the electronics and turned into a print out showing the individual metals as percentages. It also trys to identify the type of alloy from an internal list of the more common ones. I last used this possibly ten years ago, and it's sat on various shelves in various workshops over that time as you can see from the pictures |
| awemawson:
The base unit contains the power supplies and the printer as well as the microprocessor electronics. There is an umbilical cord tethering a hand held probe. The probe holds the graphite tip, and also the optics |
| awemawson:
You hold the probe, rock it on the sample to strike an arc, and need to hold it for a certain time for it to gather sufficient data before it spits out a printout. These units have been sat in my unheated welding shop for the last six years, so I'm going to leave them open for a few days in the heated main workshop before powering up. Looking at the paperwork it seems it was 2004 when I last used them :bugeye: In the box was a print out of my last sample all those years ago. I have two, as when I acquire complex kit I always try to get spares if at all possible |
| awemawson:
The Metascops had been in the main (heated) workshop so I was happy to power one of them up |
| awemawson:
A less sophisticated device than the Analoy this time you do the analysis. Again you rock it on the sample to strike an arc, and looking through the eyepiece you see spectral lines, the wavelength of which you can measure using the tweaking knob on the side. Once more - I have two of them - my usual obsession with spares - but number two is a sad example compared to number 1. It obviously started out in a much less flashy , more utilitarian, box, and has had a harder life. |
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