April 2013 Editor's Picks: Products from Axiom Analytical and I Holland

Axiom Analytical
Shielded and self-cleaning near-infrared probes are designed for on-line analysis

Axiom added shielded and self-cleaning near-infrared (NIR) probes to its line of robust probes designed for on-line spectroscopic analysis. The FPT-850SJ NIR transmission probe includes an integral steam jacket that facilitates the elimination of condensed sample material without requiring probe removal. The FDR-825 non-contact NIR diffuse-reflectance probe uses a vortex flushing system that allows the objective optics to be effectively cleaned while in place on the process line. The on-line probes have a robust seal around the viewing window that is resistant to extreme conditions of temperature, pressure, and chemical reactivity.

I Holland
Tablet-design software aids in design of tablet parameters and performs stress analysis for tool tips

I Holland’s iTAB tablet-design software calculates tablet parameters and performs stress analysis to help users design pharmaceutical tablets. The software first calculates tablet-design parameters (e.g., volume, mass, density, and surface area) as the user modifies tablet dimensions (e.g., diameter, cup depth, and radii). The software next runs a real-time, integrated finite element analysis (FEA) simulation against the design and calculates a punch-tip maximum force. Using this analysis in the design step helps eliminate problems such as punch-tip breakage. The software produces a two-dimensional drawing and generates a design report that can be emailed to I Holland for further analysis, design work, and tooling production.