• acp - advanced clean production GmbH

Portable Particle Counter, Partsens

With PartSens, acp GmbH makes it possible to directly measure and document particulate contamination on component surfaces for the first time ever. A new, enlarged measuring probe significantly expands the range of applications for this innovative inspection system, so that sheet metal blanks and auto body panels, for example, can be efficiently scrutinised for particulate cleanliness. The new PartSens measuring probe has a measuring surface of 20 x 15 mm and allows for efficient, random sample testing of component surfaces for particulate cleanliness. Inspecting sheet metal blanks before press forming in the field of auto body fabrication is a typical application for the new measuring system. A large US automobile manufacturer is already using the system to inspect auto body panels for cleanliness before they're painted. Further applications include the monitoring of systems and production environments, and examining the degree of cleanliness achieved in the cleaning process. Particulate contamination with sizes of all the way down 25 µm can be detected. Measurements can be performed either manually, or by means of an automated process. The inspection system works with direct sidelighting in order to illuminate the surface to be inspected. Thanks to the integration of optical filters, the measuring probe generates extremely high contrast, thus assuring reliable inspection even under difficult conditions, for example structured surfaces. The measuring probe only needs to be passed over the surface under test in order to inspect it for particulate cleanliness. The sidelight image is visualised in real-time at an integrated screen, and the number of particles and their size are ascertained and displayed. Orientation, position and an outline of the particles are represented in a live image. This allows for reliable conclusions regarding the number, the size and the size distribution of the particles. Particle assignment and evaluation can be programmed in accordance with customer-specific requirements.