Arc/Spark OES Analyzer: SPECTROMAXx
With outstanding repeatability, reproducibility, and reliability, SPECTROMAXx is perhaps the industry’s best-selling arc/spark OES analyzer. The tenth-generation LMX10 delivers fast, cost-effective elemental analysis for foundries – from incoming materials to final quality inspection.
Manufacturer: SPECTRO — Germany
Overview
With outstanding repeatability, reproducibility, and reliability, SPECTROMAXx is perhaps the industry's best-selling arc/spark optical emission spectrometry (OES) analyzer. Foundries demand fast, accurate elemental analysis of metals – from incoming materials to in-process testing to final quality inspection – and this tenth-generation SPECTROMAXx LMX10 delivers, with fast, cost-effective measurements that add certainty to critical supply chains and drastically reduced cost of ownership.
Two Models, One CMOS Platform
The new generation offers two models, differing only in their optical systems, both using state-of-the-art CMOS sensors proven in the flagship SPECTROLAB S. The basic SPECTROMAXx features a single air optic covering the elemental wavelength range from 233 nm to 670 nm, with a new option analyzing relevant wavelengths to 766 nm to cover potassium. SPECTROMAXx Advanced adds a UV optic for the lower spectral range from 120 nm to 235 nm, including a new capability to analyze oxygen in copper. The latest models also eliminate the magnesium fluoride window at the spark stand, saving costs and maintenance.
Fast, Simple Standardization with iCAL 2.0
Using conventional analyzers, standardization can take more than 30 minutes, demand multiple samples, and require reruns whenever site conditions change. By contrast, SPECTRO's proprietary iCAL 2.0 calibration logic in most cases needs only 5 minutes and a single sample per day, and automatically compensates for most changes in environmental temperature or pressure – delivering outstanding stability, productivity, and savings.
New Analytical Performance
SPECTROMAXx LMX10 features completely new factory calibrations with extended calibration ranges and element selections, optimized source excitation parameters, and improved limits of detection – for iron, aluminum, and copper matrices, 30% to 40% better LODs. It provides routine, trouble-free analysis of 10 matrices, 65 methods, and 59 elements. An advanced OES capability precisely detects and analyzes samples containing free graphite, monitoring carbon during the pre-spark phase for results in nodular cast iron comparable to combustion analysis.
Argon Savings and Easy Software
A brand-new feature allows total shutdown of argon flow during standby, for operator-configurable periods, saving more consumables costs than ever. SPECTRO's SPARK ANALYZER Pro software provides effortless operation even for less experienced personnel: application profiles, automatic program selection, spectra storage for later recalculations, multiple export formats, and software-only upgrades for new lines, methods, or matrices. Quick-check programs identify and analyze main elements in under 12 seconds for iron, aluminum, and now copper materials, and options include a spectrum scan view and a shift change protocol.
Specifications for SPECTROMAXx
| Specification | SPECTROMAXx |
|---|---|
| Technique | Arc/spark optical emission spectrometry (OES) |
| Models | SPECTROMAXx: air optic, 233 nm to 670 nm (option to 766 nm, covering K) SPECTROMAXx Advanced: additional UV optic, 120 nm to 235 nm (including oxygen in copper) |
| Detectors | High-resolution CMOS sensors, proven in SPECTROLAB S |
| Analytical Scope | 10 matrices, 65 methods, 59 elements |
| Standardization | iCAL 2.0: single sample, about 5 minutes per day; automatic compensation for most temperature and pressure changes |
| Quick-Check Programs | Main element identification and analysis in under 12 seconds for iron, aluminum, and copper materials |
| Limits of Detection | 30% to 40% better LODs for Fe, Al, and Cu matrices versus the previous generation |
| Special Capability | Carbon analysis in nodular cast iron with free graphite detection during the pre-spark phase; results comparable to combustion analysis |
| Argon Consumption | Total shutdown of argon flow during standby (operator-configurable) |
| Hardware | No magnesium fluoride window at the spark stand – lower costs and maintenance |
| Software | SPARK ANALYZER Pro: application profiles, automatic program selection, virtual type standards, extended grade library (Fe, Al, Cu), backup tool; optional spectrum scan and shift change protocol |