Robotic Sample Fusion and XRF Analysis System in Perth:
FULLY OPERATIONAL!
TGA, Fluxing, Fusion, Casting and XRF Analysis
- Untouched by Human Hand !

The Kalassay Fully Automated XRay System (K-FAX)
has now been installed and commissioned into The Perth Assay Laboratory.

The system (referred to as a "K-FAX System") has now been installed, commissioned and thoroughly tested.

It is now being used for analysis of a range of samples for Kalassay clients.

This system has a capacity of 800 samples per day and is currently being optimised to further expand this capacity.

This system has been designed primarily for Iron Ore Analysis, but retains refined capabilities for other mineral types.

Kalassay's Iron Ore Analysis Method has been fully developed and validated for some time now,
spearheaded by Kalassay Group staff member - Dr Sharon Ness.

To compliment our technical team, Kalassay have recruited highly experienced XRF Instrumentation
and Automated Systems Engineer - Jim Witt

Kalassay is actively involved in the Australian Standards SG9 Study Group,
which is researching better methods for Iron Ore Analysis.

Above: Schematic Drawing of the HAG System in it's Final Configuration	Above: The TGA & Fusion System as it arrived from Germany IMP technicians Abner and Wynand are seen bracing themselves for the hard work ahead.
Above: The HAG System installed at The Perth Assay Laboratory Kalassay Engineer Jim Witt at the Control Console
Here we see two of the six fusion units. Both have samples being fused. The mould carrier for each unit is seen to the left of the hot crucible	In this photo we can see the six fusion units. Above each of the units can be seen the pyrometer,which is part of the crucible temperature monitoring & control system.
Above: Graeme Graeme is the main robot within the automated fusion and analysis system. This robot takes the prepared sample and divided it into two: one aliquot going off for LOI determination and the other going to the fusion and XRF analysis system. Within the system are other smaller "handling robots" which do very specific, but nonetheless very important tasks. Note: Personnel are excluded from the robot area during operation. The system must be locked out and isolated before entry to the operating area is possible.	The fused beads are finally delivered by a conveyor system to one of three Bruker S4 Pioneer Sequential XRF Instruments. The conveyor delivers the sample to the rear of the instrument where a built-in handling robot takes control of the bead. The XRF instruments load the LOI data from the TGA System, prior to carrying out the XRF analysis of the fused bead. The data is processed in real-time by the instrument control computers, taking into account the LOI data. Kalassay owns and operates a total of seven of these instruments.

Why use automation?

The preparation and analysis of all types of mineral samples is a highly repetitive, high-precision job, which robotic equipment can do extremely well.
The equipment that Kalassay have purchased and installed at it's Perth Assay Laboratory is yet another an example of the type of cutting-edge technology being used in the company's operations.

Robotics offers a number of advantages:
	Improved Consistency		Machines perform tasks exactly the same way every time - this is reflected in the data produced.
	Improved Accuracy		The level of control offered is greater and more consistent than that achievable by manually-controlled systems.
	Increased Capacity		The robotic systems produce more analyses in less time and with less labour requirements.
	Reduced Occupational Health and Safety Concerns		The employment of robotic systems represent problem solving at the higher end of the "Hierarchy of Control" philosophy.

K-FAX is Go!

Another Advancement for Kalassay and it's Clients!