Aspex eXpress SEM

The ASPEX PSEM eXpress, is a benchtop SEM that provides superior particle analysis capabilities at a price you can't beat. It's clearly designed for "out of the lab" applications, emphasising speed, reliability and low cost of ownership while requiring no liquid nitrogen. Employing a "design for use" philosophy, ASPEX has created a desktop SEM with plenty of power to do your routine automated particle analysis with unmatched ease, speed, and reliability.

Each PSEM eXpress scanning electron microscope comes equipped with the Perception software suite, which provides a powerful set of tools for microanalysis. Although it is very economically priced, it still comes standard with an LN-free EDX spectrometer and is capable of unattended automated particle analysis. When coupled with optional ASPEX software such as AFA, or CFA it becomes a fully automated particle analysis system faster, and with greater accuracy and at a lower cost, than can be achieved by other means.

Performance Specifications

Sample Handling and Navigation

For more information, download the Aspex Corporation eXpress SEM PDF.

Aspex eXplorer SEM

The Only Integrated SEM/EDX System. Now in its third generation, the PSEM eXplorer is a scanning electron microscope that is designed for the automated imaging and elemental analysis of a wide spectrum of surfaces and particulate. A unique blend of rugged hardware and software sophistication creates a system platform that is readily accessible.

The Aspex PSEM eXplorer system provides a fully integrated SEM and EDX platform for addressing the microscale visualisation needs of a diverse range of users. It seamlessly provides high magnification imaging, rapid nondestructive compositional analysis, and robust computer automation for size, shape and elemental composition.

Industry Uses

• Forensics
• Health Sciences
• Industrial Automation
• Metals

Industrialised by design, the following founding manufacturing philosophies enable ASPEX’s units to be installed where the competition has never been:

• Stability & Reproducibility
• Minimised Downtime
• Reliability & Serviceability
• Evolved Staging
• Environmental Shielding
• Ease of Use
• Guaranteed Performance

Each ASPEX PSEM eXplorer comes equipped with the Perception software suite and becomes the most efficient and accurate way to perform microanalysis when coupled with optional ASPEX software. See Software Section below for further information.

Instrument Features

Guaranteed Performance

(as measured using the Performance Grading System™ for features 1 to 100 µm.)

Performance Specifications

Sample Handling & Navigation

Aspex eXtreme SEM

Analysing for wear debris in lubrication fluids is a proven method for predicting mechanism failures of bearings. Electron beam imaging with elemental analysis (EDX) is a powerful non-destructive technique that provides not only the most accurate particle contamination analysis by size and shape parameters, but also reliable identification of component alloys. Populations of wear particles from bearing failures can be automatically sized and characterised with unmatched specificity.

ASPEX offers a complete solution to automated particle analysis, a solution that seamlessly integrates electron beam imaging (SEM) and EDX analysis with automated control software and comprehensive data management and data integrity solutions.

The PSEM eXtreme represents an eXtreme departure from the SEM EDX systems currently being utilised in the field for jet engine predictive/preventative maintenance. Smaller, lighter, easier to operate, and extremely easy to deploy, PSEM eXtreme provides laboratory precision and battlefield toughness!

In addition to automated particle analysis, PSEM eXtreme can be employed wherever SEM/EDX microanalysis capabilities are required in a rugged mobile form factor manufacturing, mining, pollution control, forensics, heavy equipment maintenance, home land defense, agriculture, geology, archeology and many more.

The Precision You Need for Challenging Environments

• Single, Self-Contained Unit
• Multi-Layered Environmental Protection
• Superior Multi-Stage Vibration Isolation
• Advanced SEM Anti-Shock Base
• Deployment Ready in Five Minutes
• Weighs 700 lbs and Forklift Ready
• Small Enough to Fit Through Aircraft Carrier Hatches

Reliability and Versatility

• Advanced Power Conditioner with Integrated UPS
• Filter Cooling with Easy Access
• PSEM Harvester - Automatic & Continuous System Performance Control
• PSEM Wizard Smart Interface for Easier Operation
• PSEM Self Diagnostic System Embedded CPU for Improved Reliability

Aspex Perception Software

Melding an intuitive-user interface with a high-productivity design, the Perception software suite offers a robust toolkit for manual microanalysis. Integrating all phases of microanalysis into a tight package allows users to go from collecting an image and X-ray spectrum to processing the data and finally to reporting the data in Microsoft® Word or most other Microsoft® Windows® applications in a handful of steps. Flexible reporting is enhanced by user-defined templates—all this in a package that may be configured on a user-by-user basis.

Perception was designed for modern computer networks. For hot cell or cleanroom environments, the operator console may be located hundreds of feet from the instrument and the unit fully controlled over a local area network. Image and other data files can be readily stored to network drives or SQL databases. This data can be accessed and processed from any workstation connected to the network.

When your needs go beyond manual microanalysis, Perception is ready. The Perception suite forms the foundation of ASPEX's extensive line of application-specific automated microanalysis tools. When enhanced by AFA, CFA, or one of a handful of application-specific tools, Perception becomes the fastest and most accurate way to perform computer-controlled microanalysis, it becomes a fully automated particle analysis system — faster, with greater accuracy and at a lower cost.

Perception Suite Tools

• AFA (Automated Feature Analysis) is the fastest, most accurate tool on the market for sizing and quantifying ellipsoidal or near ellipsoidal particles.
• CFA (Complex Feature Analysis) automatically sizes and quantifies hundreds or thousands of particles an hour without operator intervention and is specially optimised for complex and irregular feature shapes.
• iStore is a database for maintaining electronic images and related statistical analysis data.
• iTable is a useful enhancement that permits the operator to work with electronic micro-images in a straightforward, intuitive manner. Software-AFA/CFA.

Aspex AFA / CFA Software

(AFA - Automated Feature Analysis. CFA - Complex Feature Analysis.)

Whether you are searching for a needle in a haystack or collecting population statistics on thousands of particles, AFA may be the tool for you. AFA is the fastest, most accurate tool on the market for sizing and quantifying ellipsoidal or near ellipsoidal particles. More particles per hour means more productivity. High productivity coupled with high-quality results means more dollars saved for your company.

Good particle analysis is all about control. We offer the tight integration between:

• digital beam control
• image acquisition
• X-ray spectrometer that is necessary to perform particle analysis correctly

The ASPEX PSEM was designed from the ground up to be the best particle analyser on the market. Our staging, vacuum control, detector geometry, high-stability beam source, and many other subtle design features were all designed for high-speed particle analysis. No other SEM manufacturer can make these claims, and no other SEM manufacturer can match the performance on our system.

The ASPEX AFA product supports you through all phases of the analysis process. From clear and flexible analysis configuration through sophisticated custom reporting capabilities, we'll help you to accomplish your goals to the highest professional standards.

Characterising hundreds or thousands of particles has historically been too costly for the production environment. However, as tolerances are tightened and demand for predictable quality is increased, there are calls for a better understanding of particulate contamination. ASPEX has the answer — a cost effective tool for the production environment.

Electron-beam microanalysis is a tool of unprecedented power for characterising fibers, particles, inclusions, and other microscopic contamination. The combination of high-resolution imaging and X-ray quantification is unparalleled in the character and quality of the data. However, manually measuring and quantifying hundreds or thousands of features takes time and may be cost-prohibitive. ASPEX offers a better way — CFA.

CFA automatically sizes and quantifies hundreds or thousands of particles an hour without operator intervention. Particles are located, sized, and analysed for elemental composition. The resulting data is tabulated on a particle-by-particle basis. Clear, intuitive summary reports can be customised for your business needs and are automatically generated at the end of each analysis.

CFA is specially optimised for complex and irregular feature shapes. Through a proprietary algorithm that takes advantage of the unique capabilities of ASPEX SEM, CFA provides sizing and quantification that is both fast and accurate. Particles are measured as soon as they are discovered to ensure that particles are never lost.

Aspex AQC Software

(AQC - Advanced Quality Control.)

Faced with rising steel prices and increasing standards of quality control, the automotive industry is reexamining its factory floor operations in an effort to improve yields and lower costs. Cleanliness in the manufacturing environment is becoming an ever expanding responsibility of production managers. As components have been reduced in size, and design tolerances have been tightened, controlling the cleanliness of the manufacturing process has become an important factor in meeting performance specifications and controlling warranty costs.

Today manufacturers must be able to control cleanliness down to the micron size range. For manufacturing companies, defining contamination is relatively straight forward. Contamination is a particle, or debris, which is not inherent to the final assembly, component, or fluid being analysed. Unfortunately, removing and controlling contamination is not as easy as defining it. A major difficulty in achieving cleanliness down to the micron range is determining how to monitor manufacturing debris at this level.

The first step towards achieving Advanced Quality Control (AQC™) is reliably identifying the individual particles as well as accurately sizing them. Various methods exist but lack the required sensitivity, accuracy, and precision to maintain adequate control over a process. In response to these new manufacturing trends, ASPEX® developed the only fully integrated solution for automatically detecting and classifying micron-size debris in 24/7 manufacturing and quality control operations.

The ASPEX® AQC™ is helping manufacturers achieve new standards of cleanliness and quality control. For example, leading manufacturers and their suppliers, including Ford, Mercedes, Bosch, and Cummins have installed ASPEX® AQC™ systems in their factories, improving performance and reducing warranty costs. From uncovering the hidden cause of component failure, to becoming an integral part of the long-term improvement in product quality, the ASPEX® AQC™ has become an indispensable tool for the quality manager faced with monitoring particle debris and cleanliness.

Aspex GSR Software

(GSR - Gun Shot Residue.)

Back in the late 60’s forensic laboratories in London started to use Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM) for the manual detection and analysis of Gun Shot Residue (GSR™) particles on a routine basis. Forty years later, SEMs are still used in laboratories world wide for the automated detection of GSR™ particles. Advances, including the integration of energy dispersive spectrometers for elemental analysis and a software platform for the automated detection, relocation, confirmation and reporting, have made this the go-to technology for elemental analysis and imaging of samples collected from suspect shooters.

Traditionally, GSR™ particles are composed of lead (Pb), barium (Ba) and antimony (Sb) and commonly range in size from 1 to 10 microns. They have varying morphologies and surface textures but the vast majority is generally spherical in shape and/or with a molten appearance. Ammunition can also be manufactured without lead. Lead-free ammunition is becoming more prevalent as manufacturers use lead-free or low-lead propellants to avoid the toxicity of lead. Aluminum (Al) and strontium (Sr) are often used in lead free cartridges. In addition, Sintox® GSR™ particles are characterised by spheroidal particles mainly consisting of titanium (Ti) and zinc (Zn).

The ASPEX® PSEM with the GSR™ reporter software is an integrated SEM-EDS system combined with a software suite designed specifically for high throughput GSR™ analysis. A GSR™ reporting template that complies with ASTM E1588 is available for fast and accurate reporting of confirmed GSR™ particles. In addition, additional templates can be created to meet different applications in forensic crime labs.

Aspex MQA with Metals Cleanliness Rating Software

(MQA - Metal Quality Analyser.)

For years, inclusion analysis has been at the forefront of investigative work to determine castability issues and improve product quality. The control of inclusions relies on accurate knowledge about the phase changes and their compositional relation under various chemical and thermal conditions during processing. Given the direct link between the inclusion content and the steel production process, manufacturers of steel demand an analyser that can operate under adverse conditions—and still provide process specific metrics.

The ASPEX® Metal Quality Analyser (MQA™) provides up-to-date information of the inclusion compositional on lollipop, as cast, and final product samples. Once fully implemented through our support network, the MQA™ provides the necessary information that can result in savings of over $1,000,000 per year, whether through energy savings or consumable consumption.

Published literature reveal various approaches for addressing inclusion investigations. Two main goals are featured throughout: (1) Inclusion engineering and (2) Determining detrimental inclusions types. The MQA™ is the first dedicated SEM/EDS system for process control in steel mills.

Most EDS-based analysers are found in research laboratories and not at the production floor, largely due to their inability to handle adverse environments. In addition, the skill set of the operators needs to be such that they are SEM and EDS experts.

When you require more than a SEM/EDS system can offer, the MQA™ relies on turnkey solutions to provide the customised information you desire. Whether it’s heat trending or inclusion chemistry, the MQA™ provides the information you need when you want it.

The Metals Quality Analyser™ (MQA) has broken through with industry leading performance capabilities. Modern steel making practices can now rely on the MQA not only for process monitoring but also non-metallic inclusion cleanliness ratings to make critical decisions. ASPEX MQA-Metals Cleanliness Rating™ (MQA-MCR) software affords the operator the ability to rapidly scan polished steel samples and characterise inclusions for their morphology and chemistry.

The need for routine investigations of non-metallic inclusions is critical to the production steel. Unlike optical microscope rating systems, the Personal SEM®-EDS system equipped with ASPEX's Automate Feature Analysis™ allows for improved reliability of analysis with a compact and industrialised packaging. Inclusions down to 100 nm can be detected and monitored in the process. For product inspections, the large chamber design and customisable sample holders afford the user the ability to easily resolve inclusions and characterise them. The Ease-of-Use offered by ASPEX analysis software and single click reporting functions allow metallurgists at the steel mill to produce reliable and reproducible cleanliness ratings in an unattended 24/7 operational environment.

Why dedicate your personnel to manually rating inclusions when you can automate the process and allow them to be performing other duties. The MCR Software allows the user to run multiple samples at the same time, review the data and report the cleanliness ratings.

Relevant international standards can be selected and reported in the proper formats. Utilising stringer building software, the user has the ability to review and confirm inclusions prior to reporting. In addition, the classification of inclusions can be changed after the original analysis is complete – improving the review and accuracy of the results without analysing a sample multiple times. Among the currently supported standards are ASTM E45 and E2142, JIS G 0555 and ISO 4967.

The Metals Quality Analyser™ (MQA) has broken through with industry leading performance capabilities. Modern steel making practices can now rely on the MQA not only for process monitoring but also non-metallic inclusion cleanliness ratings to make critical decisions.

ASPEX MQA-Metals Cleanliness Rating™ (MQA-MCR) software affords the operator the ability to rapidly scan polished steel samples and characterise inclusions for their morphology and chemistry.

Reporting Capabilities:

• Fully Customisable to Meet Your Needs
• Trending
• Histograms
• Colorised Ternaries
• Automatic Pass/Fail Warnings
• Data Interpretation
• Inclusion Images/Spectra
• Batch Processing
• ASTM E2142
• ASTM E45
• JIS G 0555
• ISO 4967

Aspex Rx Software

(Rx - Pharmaceutical.)

Navigating the ever-changing regulatory landscape remains one of the biggest challenges that a pharmaceutical manufacturing company can face. For inhaled drugs, superior quality control is required to meet criteria and remain at the forefront of the increasingly competitive pharmaceutical industry. To establish competitive advantage, comply with regulations, and maintain a reputation for quality, pharmaceutical manufacturers must be able to quickly, accurately, and clearly identify and analyse foreign particles in their product streams.

ASPEX® Rx is the world’s first personal scanning electron microscope (PSEM™) exclusively designed for the automated identification and elemental analysis of sub-micron-level foreign particles in pharmaceutical production processes.

Only ASPEX® Rx can deliver an integrated solution for microcontamination quality control on the production floor, one that combines imaging and elemental analysis with a dedicated interface.

ASPEX® Rx is the only product that can deliver automated identification and characterisation of foreign particles as small as 0.1 microns in pharmaceutical production processes.

Because of its ability to quickly and precisely identify particles within this range, ASPEX® Rx is far superior to alternative methods of particle identification. Laser-based inspection techniques are only capable of determining the average size of particles from a batch sample and cannot perform elemental analysis. Video-based optical systems are incapable of performing elemental analysis and are not reliable for particles less than 25 microns. The range of X-ray microscopes is limited to 10 microns.