Compact and easy to use

The HP-MP is the most advanced solution for grinding powder samples and preparing pressed tablets for XRF and diffractometry. The compact dimensions, the wide range of functions and the ease of use make the HP-MP the perfect choice for quality assurance laboratories. The HP-MP is versatile and prepared for different configurations as standard: it can be used as a stand-alone machine with optional magazine function, as part of a linear or in a robot cell. Thanks to the well thought-out modular design,  Automation most customer-specific requirements can be realized without great effort and additional costs.

All elements to be serviced are easily accessible, which significantly reduces the effort required for maintenance and servicing. The revised handling functions in the new HP-MP reduce dust generation even more efficiently, making machine maintenance even easier.

The HP-MP includes a wide range of functions to meet the diverse requirements of quality control and assurance. By means of thorough cleaning of all contact surfaces, blind dosing and other processes, cross-contamination between consecutive samples is effectively avoided. The powerful and infinitely adjustable hydraulic module with press forces of up to 200 kN is also suitable for demanding analytical tasks. The HP-MP can automatically store an aliquot of the sample for further analysis. Grinding and pressing can be carried out independently of each other. These and many other features make the HP-MP ideal for the processing of cementitious material as well as for a wide range of other industrial and research applications.

Stand-alone configuration

Great importance has been attached to developing a machine that is versatile and can be used in numerous different configurations. As a stand-alone machine, the HP-MP can be operated with an input and output flap, where the operator inserts a single cup of sample material and collects the finished pressed tablet.

A 23-position magazine is available as an option to enable automatic batch processing of samples. The finished pressed tablets are collected in an output magazine attached to the side of the machine. Depending on the operator’s choice, the cup can be returned empty to the magazine or filled with retained material for further sample processing or analysis.

Designed for easy automation

In a linear Automation The HP-MP can receive the sample from an input magazine, a pneumatic tube station (type HR-LA), a crusher (HP-CA) or a gravimetric dosing unit (HR-WA). Pressed tablets are automatically transported to an XRF instrument, diffractometer or other analyzer such as a colorimeter. Several HP-MPs can be combined with each other via a conveyor belt and connected to other system components.

The small footprint makes the HP-MP the ideal choice for an atline unit within the production plant. The Herzog Atline Lab is directly connected to a sampler and allows the high-frequency and timely analysis of particularly important materials within the production process.

In a robot circle, the HP-MP is positioned so that the side wall faces the robot. Short input and output belts enable effective transport of sample cups and press rings between the machine and the robot circuit. This makes the HP-MP easily accessible from the front and can be used comfortably for manual operation. Parallel to automatic robot operation, special samples can be entered, for example, via the input flap or the 23-position magazine.

Tool Condition Monitoring

The HP-MP is designed for smart industry solutions and enables tool condition monitoring and predictive maintenance. Intelligent sensor technology can be used to monitor not only each individual grinding process, but also the wear and tear of the vibrating unit and grinding set. Combined with PrepMaster Analytics software, this powerful tool ensures reproducible sample preparation conditions for highly accurate analysis. In addition, the HP-MP can be used to measure the specific grinding energy of a material fully automatically. This allows any quality assurance laboratory to easily determine the grindability of a material at any time – a test that is usually reserved for a few highly specialized laboratories.

Precise and flexible grinding

The operator has full control over the grinding process and can adjust all relevant machine parameters and process steps. The speed of the grinding vessel is infinitely variable between 600 and 1500 rpm. The temperature is constantly monitored and kept constantly at the target temperature. Sample entry and emptying intervals, when to add the grinding aid, the cleaning cycle, and more can be adjusted to achieve the optimal result for each material.

The grinding vessel has a volume of 100 cc, providing maximum flexibility for processing all kinds of materials. The grinding vessel is available in both chrome steel and carbide (tungsten carbide) and can be replaced with little effort. Once ground, a sample aliquot can be automatically retained for the preparation of a second tablet or for further analysis. The grinding vessel can be flushed with a blank sample to minimize cross-contamination between subsequent samples.

Full control over the pressing process

The hydraulic power unit ensures a controlled and absolutely reproducible pressing process. All parameters are easy to adjust, allowing for the most accurate fine-tuning for any material and analytical requirement. The operator can immediately change the maximum pressing force (50-200 kN), the increase in pressing force and the press holding time. Each press cycle can be monitored via the HP-MP’s clear HMI panel or the PrepMaster screen.

The HP-MP’s dosing device allows the operator to choose between two different sample volumes for the production of pressed tablets. The HP-MP can handle 40 mm or 51.5 mm rings as standard. The thickness of the pressed layer within the ring is automatically monitored, so that a warning is issued in case of material shortage. The pressing tool is easy to change.