Spectroblue ICP-OES spectrometer brings home innovation award from Achema Trade Fair

Four Magazines (Process, Process Worldwide, PharmaTEC and Laborpraxis) Select SPECTROBLUE as Winner of Laboratory and Analytical Technology Category

Kleve, Germany, July 20, 2012.

At the ACHEMA Trade Show (June 17-22), SPECTRO Analytical Instruments received the Innovation Award for its breakthrough SPECTROBLUE ICP-OES spectrometer.

SPECTRO was selected for the award by four top trade magazines (Process, Process Worldwide, PharmaTEC, and Laborpraxis) from among 110 nominees, who competed for awards in eleven categories. Criteria for the award included the degree of innovation, product quality and economic feasibility for end users.

“With the SPECTROBLUE, we scored points in every category,” explains Olaf Schulz, who has responsibility for the SPECTRO ICP spectrometer product line.

Introduced in 2011, the SPECTROBLUE ICP-OES spectrometer targets mainly environmental laboratories that need quick and accurate analysis of water, wastewater, sewage sludge and soil samples for toxic heavy metals.

Air-Cooled Plasma Interface

SPECTROBLUE’s optical plasma interface is especially innovative. As the excitation source, the inductively coupled plasma becomes extremely hot, ICP spectrometers need cooling.

“Previously ICP spectrometers required an expensive water-cooled device that is noisy, takes up valuable laboratory space, and requires additional electricity and servicing. With the innovative SPECTROBLUE, SPECTRO engineers devised a way to divert the heat away with an air stream,” notes Mr. Schulz.

Sample Introduction Improved

Among the other SPECTROBLUE innovations is improved sample introduction. SPECTRO made it possible to significantly shorten the path of the sample into the plasma, which decreases the duration of the analysis and reduces carry-over effects. Operators now are able to eliminate time-consuming fine adjustment of the sample introduction components. The instrument’s plasma torch is attached using a bayonet connection and, thus, is always located in the correct position. All gas and plasma connections are found in the interior of the locking mechanism, and, except for the nebulizer gas supply, the sample introduction room is free of tubing, which further simplifies operation.

SPECTROBLUE’s operating software also includes new user-friendly functions such as a comprehensive Smart Analyzer Vision software package and a Smart User Interface that simplifies routine operation.

Frequently Distinguished

SPECTRO, a global leader in spectrometry instrumentation, has received frequent recognition for its industry innovations. In June 2011, the SPECTRO MS ICP spectrometer received an R&D 100 award from R&D magazine for its Array Detection Technology. That same instrument also received an ACCSI award from the Chinese Analytical Industry in May 2011 and the PITTCON Editors’ Silver Award in March 2010.

About SPECTRO

SPECTRO is one of the worldwide leading suppliers of analytical instruments for optical emission and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. As a member of the AMETEK Materials Analysis Division, SPECTRO manufactures advanced instruments, develops the best solutions for strongly varying applications and provides exemplary customer service. SPECTRO’s products are exemplified by unique technical capabilities that deliver measureable benefits to the customer. From its foundation in 1979 until today, more than 30,000 analytical instruments have been delivered to customers around the world.

AMETEK is a global leader in electronic instruments and electromechanical devices with colleagues at numerous manufacturing, sales and service locations in the U.S. and in many other countries around the world.

AMETEK consists of two operating groups: Electronic Instruments and Electromechanical. Electronic Instruments is a leader in advanced instruments for the process, aerospace, power and industrial markets. Electromechanical is a differentiated supplier of electrical interconnects, specialty metals, and technical motors and associated systems, as well as a leader in floor care and specialty motors.

For more information, please visit www.spectro.com.