Company Announcements

In October, Olympus NDT (NonDestructive Testing) Canada officially inaugurated a new CAD 37 million ($30 million), 15,794 ft² (15,794 m²) office and manufacturing complex in the Michelet Innovation Zone in Quebec. The business intends to increase the number of employees from 380 to over 400.

ZEISS Microscopy signed in October an exclusive strategic partnership agreement with Xnovo Technology, a developer of software-based 3D x-ray imaging and analysis solutions. The companies have worked together for two years. The partnership seeks to expand the lab-based diffraction contrast tomography technique commercialized as LabDCT on the ZEISS Xradia 520 Versa. The module nondestructively obtains 3D crystallographic information from polycrystalline samples.

In October, TSI entered into a distribution agreement with Arconic, a manufacturer of spectrochemical reference materials for aluminum alloys. TSI will resell Arconic’s MicrO Reference Materials in a convenient, easy-to-use kit for field standardization of its ChemLite LIBS metal analyzers.

In November, Rigaku Europe opened a new headquarters in Neu-Isenburg, Germany. The new office is home to an application development and demonstration facility.

Analytik Jena announced in November a cooperation agreement with the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) for the R&D of optical spectrometry in the area of elemental analysis, including high-resolution absorption spectrometry for ultra-trace analysis; specifically, the company’s High-Resolution Continuum Source atomic absorption system.

Product Introductions

In September, Olympus introduced the Vanta L Series of handheld XRF analyzers, which can be calibrated for alloy, precious metal and geochem applications. Features include the ability to withstand a temperature range of -10–50 °C, and optional Wi-Fi and cloud connectivity.

Olympus launched in October the new Vanta VCA handheld XRF analyzer for measurement of a wide range of elements. It features a three-year warranty and an intuitive interface.

Thermo Fisher Scientific released in October an update to its Thermo Scientific Niton XL5 handheld XRF analyzer, including the introduction of mining and soil modes. New accessories include the mini test stand for improved portability.

In October, Rigaku Oxford Diffraction debuted the high-flux XtaLAB Synergy-DW dual-wavelength single-crystal diffractometer. It features a hybrid photon counting detector and four-circle kappa goniometer.

In November, Rigaku Analytical Devices introduced an upgraded version of its KT Series LIBS metal analyzer, expanding the use of handheld LIBS for use in more applications. It produces higher throughput and better resolution.

Spectro Scientific released an upgrade to its FieldLab 58 consisting of a more powerful XRF module and newly designed filter that improves the limits of detection for wear metal elements in oil. XRF is one of four analytical technologies utilized by the system.

Sales/Orders of Note

In September, SPECTRO Analytical Instruments, a unit of the Materials Analysis Division of AMETEK, announced the delivery of its 10,000^th SPECTROMAXx metal analyzer to Geely Automobile, a Chinese automotive and motorcycle manufacturer.