CSC Scientific Blog

A blog about test equipment

What is The Function of a Sieve Shaker?

Posted by Hank Levi on Feb 7, 2024 9:24:36 PM

Visitors to our web pages often arrive with the question, “What is the Function of a Sieve Shaker?

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Topics: Sieve Shakers, "Ask Art", Sonic Sifter, Agglomeration, Particle Size Analysis, Sieve Testing, Sieves, Sieving Process, Sieve Analysis, Quiet sieve shakers, sieve shaker

Sieving - An Ancient Technique Still Widely Used

Posted by Art Gatenby on Mar 9, 2023 5:05:50 PM

We recently redesigned our E-commerce site. The redesign proceeded without a hitch, until we got to the sieves. 

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Topics: Particle Size Analysis, Sieves, Sieving Process

Sieves – Old and New QC Issues

Posted by Art Gatenby on May 27, 2022 4:36:26 PM

 In 2011 "Powder-Bulk Solids" published an article comparing certification process veracity with a sieve calibration process using calibrated glass microspheres (or beads). The certification process merely indicates that a sieve mesh conforms to a standard that has a wide tolerance regarding mesh openings. It is performed on a small number of openings. On the other hand, calibration using the calibrated beads results in a number representing the mean opening -- a result generated by actually performing a test encompassing at least 80% of the mesh openings.

The problems outlined in the article  are still dogging todays QC Managers

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Topics: Sieve Shakers, Calibration, Particle Size Analysis, Sieve Calibration, Sieve Certification, Sieve Testing, Sieves, Sieving Process

Sieve Calibration Is the Holy Grail!

Posted by Art Gatenby on Oct 13, 2020 5:30:00 PM

Yes Harry, there is a Santa Claus. Or, more specifically, there really is a Holy Grail for ensuring consistent particle size analysis. 

If you’ve been following along, you know it was proven by Pequeño and his family of 150 micron particles who tried to bust our friend Harry’s quality control by attempting to slip through the mesh in Harry’s test sieves and defeat sieve certification.

If you missed this drama, check out previous posts in the Holy Grail series here:

Is there a Holy Grail of Sieve Analysis?

Will Certification Lead to the Holy Grail of Sieving?

Does Calibration Light the Way to the Sieving Holy Grail?

Sieve Calibration is the Holy Grail!

And finally check out our eBook here: Free eBook

Now that we have indeed confirmed that, yes, sieve calibration really is the Holy Grail that sieve testers have been looking for, let’s get to work and dive a little deeper. Let’s examine some methods of sieve calibration.

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Topics: Pequeño, Calibration, Particle Size Analysis, Sieve Calibration, Sieve Certification, Sieve Testing, Sieves, Sieving Process, du Nouy tensiometer, sieve mesh, particle sieze testing, sieve stack, Sieve Quality

Can We Fix The Problems Of Sieve Certification?

Posted by Art Gatenby on Aug 31, 2020 5:11:00 PM

You may remember Pequeño and his family of very small 150 micron (150µ) particles being very determined to defeat sieve certification.

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Topics: Calibration, Particle Size Analysis, Sieve Calibration, Sieve Certification, Sieve Testing, Sieves, Sieving Process, Sieve Analysis, Sieve Quality

Does Calibration Light The Way To The Sieving Holy Grail

Posted by Art Gatenby on Aug 19, 2020 4:00:00 PM

All about sieve Calibration

We continue to search for answers to the question "Is Sieve Calibration Really the Holy Grail?Pequeño, you may remember him as a very small (150-micron) particle who has many similar-sized family members. They are determined to defeat Brad and his Sieve Certification. 

Foiling A Sieve Test

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Topics: Calibration, Particle Size Analysis, Sieve Certification, Sieve Testing, Sieves, Sieving Process, Sieve Analysis

Will Certification Lead To The  Holy Grail Of Sieving?

Posted by Art Gatenby on Aug 14, 2020 3:00:00 PM

Adventures of Pequeño

This is another Adventure of Pequeño: The 150 Micron Particle, I wonder why I get myself into these fantasies. However, once I start I feel constrained to press on.

In an earlier encounter, our little friend Pequeño, was on a determined quest to make it through sieves -- particularly those through which were said be too small for him to pass. In this scenario, Pequeño along with some of his family and friends -- all small particles about 150 microns in size -- are on their way to a sieve test.

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Topics: Sieve Shakers, Sieve Blinding, ASTM, Pequeño, Calibration, Particle Size Analysis, Sieve Calibration, Sieve Certification, Sieve Testing, Sieves, sieve shaker, sieve stack, certfication

Is There a  Holy Grail of Sieve Analysis?

Posted by Art Gatenby on Aug 5, 2020 12:00:00 AM

Holy grail and Sieve Calibration

Sieve calibration is the final step in determining whether processes yield suitable end results. In other words:
  • Is your concrete going to be strong enough?
  • Will you chocolates taste right?

  • Will your washing powder flow and dissolve as advertised?

  • Is there dangerous residue in your pill stock?

  • Will the “frack sand” keep the fractures open?

  • Is my salt of the correct grade?

If these are not correct, serious consequences could result (e.g. spoiled product, returned batches, rework or scrap).

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Topics: Calibration, Particle Size Analysis, Sieve Calibration, Sieve Certification, Sieve Testing, Sieves, Sieving Process, particle sieze testing

When is a Sieve Not a Sieve?

Posted by Amanda Ranowsky on Dec 18, 2019 4:45:00 PM

In our business, we use the word “sieve” to describe a piece of equipment that separates different sized particles  using a woven wire screen. To others, “sieve” can mean something very different.

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Topics: ASTM, Particle Size Analysis, Sieve Calibration, Sieve Certification, Sieves, Sieving Process

Particle Size Analysis— Why?  [Garden Stones to Micron Dust]

Posted by Art Gatenby on Jun 27, 2019 8:40:00 AM

In past ramblings on particle size analysis we have touched on shakers, ASTM standards, sieve checking, separating small particles, inhibitors like static charges and how to get sieve tests done.  A couple of things that we rarely addressed.

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Topics: Sieve Shakers, Particle Size Analysis, Sieve Testing, Quiet sieve shakers, micron particles, nanometer particles, laser diffraction, segmentation

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