Test Equipment and Measurement Instrument Blog

How does an NIR analyzer work? What are the benefits of a desktop moisture analyzer versus a portable one? Can I test a specific moisture analyzer on the process line before purchasing? What is the best test instrument that will work for my unique requirements?

It’s the first day of Pittcon 2014 and it’s buzzing with scientists, all seeking to find out how the latest instrument advances will help them achieve lab quality results efficiently and simply. We’ve enjoyed speaking to individuals involved in applications as diverse as analytical chemistry, food analysis and safety, drug discovery, water and wastewater analysis, life sciences and other emerging markets looking for new analytics techniques.

The city that launched the boon of American industrial optimism with the historical Chicago World’s Fair, is set to host the largest annual global conference dedicated to laboratory equipment and instrumentation. Early March 18,000 laboratory scientists will converge in Chicago to attend the Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy, or Pittcon 2014.

As we discussed in last week’s blog, there are two types of friction: static and dynamic (kinetic). These values have traditionally been measured via incline methods and manual strain (or pull force) gauges. We’re now fortunate enough to have automated friction analyzers that provide substantially more precise (repeatable) measurements and are able to quantitatively distinguish very small differences in two samples or two proposed development versions. Moreover, recent technological developments have allowed for the novel, and widely popular, portable friction analyzers in addition to traditional desktop versions.

As the Sales Director of Kett, I field daily calls from people asking the question, "Why would I want to measure ___?"  It's the same question I asked my superiors when I first started here 20 years ago, and, after much practice, I'm confident I can answer that question pretty thoroughly. Just to narrow it down though, today we'll be answering the question:

Dale Carnegie, whose book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, took its groundbreaking cues from such industrial giants as Henry Ford and Charles Schwab, some great educators in the laws of success. Instead of focusing on the specific manufacturing process, Carnegie’s lessons recognize that it’s the people who run the equipment that make a business successful. No matter what test instruments or state-of-the-art moisture meters you own, your attitude will ultimately determine the quality of your business, and product.

Happy New Year, we hope to be a part of helping you make 2014 a successful year!

This has been a year of great growth for us at Kett. We’ve expanded our Internet presence into Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn while providing weekly updates through our blog. We’ve even expanded our presence in the real world, attending trade shows and expanding our global distribution. However, none of this means anything without state-of-the art, world class instruments to back it up. Innovation is one of the most important values we hold at Kett. Every instrument is designed to meet, or exceed, global standards, which is why we make sure our updated models are implementing progressive technology. So, here’s a countdown of our top 10 models to outfit your operation in 2014.