Answer:  If you are considering making a significant business investment in particle analysis, such as a CPA (Computer Particle Analyzer), it is important your business recognizes both the machine costs and supplemental expenses.

Computer Particle Analyzer

When acquiring a CPA package, for example, your business can expect to pay a minimum of $60,000. In addition, there will likely be additional expenses if your business requires an industrial unit or particular customizations.

Two Solutions:

Contingent on your company’s needs, there are two alternatives to outright purchasing of industrial CPA units.

1. 1. Ongoing Needs – Invest in a Software Program

If you have ongoing needs in the PA field, a cheaper alternative to a direct process would be a Particle Dynamics Simulation Software, such as Rocky.

This technology employs discrete element method (DEM) software, which is used for simulating the motion of granular and discontinuous material. In addition, Rocky is uniquely capable in modeling real particle shapes including any solids, 2D shells, and rigid and flexible fibers.

2. Project-based (Ad-Hoc) Needs – Particle Consulting

If you do not have ongoing needs in the PA field, therefore, not requiring long-term software of CPA units, hiring a Photonics or Particle Analysis Consulting expert is likely the cheapest option for your industry.  Since the company (like SimuTech Group) already possesses the necessary software and equipment in-house, along with the engineering expertise necessary for the corresponding analysis’, we are confident that this route will, in fact, be the most cost effective option for your business.

This answer, of course, differs by industry and application.  However, generally speaking, the typical techniques to actuate particle size distribution are static laser light scattering (SLS, also known as ‘laser diffraction”), dynamic image analysis (DIA), dynamic light scattering (DLS), sieve analysis, and discrete element modeling (DEM).

Particle size analysis (PSA) is employed to characterize the size distribution of particles in a particular sample isolated by an engineer or technician.

In terms of application, particle size analysis can be utilized for solid materials, digital imaging, aerosols emulsions, suspensions, laser diffractions and more.

Correlation does not mean Causation

Additionally, It is crucial for businesses to select the most suitable computational method for different samples as divergent or conflicting methods can produce significantly different results for the same material.  In short, drawing conclusions or correlation from faulty data could be catastrophic for a business.

Ultimately, this is why analysis’ used for the purpose of altering a core business process/model should be conducted by a particle engineering expert.