Specac Specamill User Manual

Specamill™
Grinding Mixer Accessory

User Manual

2I-06000 Issue 7

Specamill™ Grinding Mixer Accessory

User Manual

2I-06000 Issue 7

User Manual

Specamill™ Grinding Mixer Accessory

CONTENTS

1. I

NTRODUCTION

2. U

NPACKING AND CHECKLIST

3. O

PERATION OF THE SPECAMILL

4. S

PARES/PARTS FOR THE SPECAMILL

Brilliant Spectroscopy is a trademark of Specac Ltd.

Other product names mentioned herein may be trademarks

................................................................................. 5

............................................................. 5

™ ..................................................... 6

™ ........................................... 10

© April 2016 Specac Ltd. All rights reserved.

of their respective owners.

4

Specamill™ Grinding Mixer Accessory

1. Introduction

The Specamill™ accessory is a small grinding and blending mill that is
used to produce fine, consistently ground particles for successful
preparation of KBr sample pellets and mixtures for diffuse reflectance
spectroscopy. It grinds samples using rapid vibration of 3 spheres
inside a sample capsule (1).The capacity of the sample capsule is
3mls, but the recommended filling volume for maximum grinding
efficiency is approximately 1ml (excluding the grinding spheres).

There are two capsule sets that can be used within the Specamill™
accessory. One capsule set P/N 06200 is an agate capsule set and the
other P/N 06100 is a stainless steel capsule set. Each set consists of a
capsule body, stopper and three grinding balls fabricated in the agate
or stainless steel.

The reason for use of either set is principally due to the difference in
hardness of material. Agate, being a naturally occurring mineral is
typically between 6 and 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Steel,
depending on its fabrication and chemical make up, can vary from
between 5 to 8.5 on the same Mohs scale of hardness. The Specac
stainless steel capsule set is typically of a Mohs hardness of 7.5.

2. Unpacking and Checklist

Remove the Specamill™ from its protective packaging.

Please check that the following have been supplied:

• 1 Specamill™ grinding mixer accessory (220Volt/50Hz or
110V/60Hz as ordered.

• 1 Capsule set retaining clip.

• 1 Hexagonal head Allen key 6.0mm short arm.

• Capsule set (P/N 06100 stainless steel, P/N 06200 Agate) if

ordered with the Specamill™.

5

User Manual

3. Operation of the Specamill™

Note before sample grinding

When grinding, the sample must be softer than the material chosen for
the capsule set, otherwise the capsule set will be abraded by the
sample. It is also very important in any grinding operation to be
consistent for sample loads within the capsule set and the grinding
duration. Agate material for the capsule set will most closely represent
the agate material used in the Specac pestle and mortar set
P/N 03600. The pestle and mortar is a non-mechanical method for
grinding a sample. However, the mechanical action of grinding by the
Specamill™ is likely to produce a sample mixture different to that
obtainable by hand grinding with the pestle and mortar. Therefore, it is
vitally important to use the same piece of equipment and method of
grinding to establish consistency in solid sample preparation, prior to
analysis by any chosen spectroscopic technique.

Please refer to Figure 1 for identification of the parts of the
Specamill™ referred to in the following text.

1) Place the Specamill™ accessory on a work surface and plug into
the mains power supply. Set the timer switch (2) to OFF before
switching power on at the mains.

2) Take the capsule set (1) (stainless steel or agate) and load the
capsule with sample (usually a mixture of KBr powder and a solid
sample) and the 3 grinding balls. Try to use approximately 1ml of
mixture material to grind. With less sample material, there is a
tendency for the grinding balls to wear away and with more sample
grinding efficiency is decreased.

3) When the capsule is filled, put on the stopper and place the
capsule set into the spring clip (3) on the Specamill™. Slide the
clip/capsule assembly into the capsule clamp of the Specamill™
which is attached to the blade (4). Lightly clamp using the knurled
head screw (5).

6

Specamill™ Grinding Mixer Accessory

Figure 1. Front View Of The SpecaMill™

Note: Most efficient grinding is achieved when there is a maximum

amplitude of vibration of the capsule set. This can be obtained
by a combination of the capsules position on the blade (4) and
the distance between the armature (6) and the blade (4).
Specifically, depending on the version of Specamill™ supplied,
220Volts/50Hz or 110Volts/60Hz, the capsule set can be placed
at an optimum position on the blade (4) for best vibration. Please
see Figures 2 and 3 for the suggested position of the capsule
set (1) on the blade (4) for the different frequency versions of the
Specamill™ accessory. For the 220Volt/50Hz version the
capsule set (1) is positioned and clamped higher up the blade
(4) than suggested for the 110Volt/60Hz version.

7

User Manual

Figure 2. Position of Capsule Set (1) on the Blade (4) for a

220Volt/50Hz Specamill™ Accessory

Figure 3. Position of Capsule Set (1) on the Blade (4) for a

110Volt/60Hz Specamill™ Accessory

8

Specamill™ Grinding Mixer Accessory

4) When the capsule set (1) has been slid and positioned accordingly
(dependent on the frequency version of Specamill™) on the blade
(4), tighten the clamp screw (5). The air gap can be varied between
the armature (6) and the blade (4) by turning the wheel handle (7).

5) Switch on the Specamill ™ via the timer switch (2) turning it
clockwise. The drive mechanism engages beyond the 5 minute
timing marker and the capsule set (1) will vibrate on the blade (4)
to the amplitude established by the clip position and the air gap.
Rotate the wheel handle (7) until a maximum amplitude of vibration
of about 1cm is achieved. When grinding loads of a constant
weight this control need not be moved between samples.

6) The timer switch (2) allows for grinding times to be set up to 30
minutes. If longer than 30 minutes grinding time is required the timer
switch (2) is turned anti-clockwise to the untimed position and the
grinding duration will be indefinite. For times below 5 minutes, turn the
timer switch (2) clockwise past the 5 minutes marker time to engage
the drive and turn back to the required time position.

WEEE Directive For Equipment Disposal

The symbol (above) on the back of the Specamill™ indicates that this
product complies with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Directive (WEEE). If this product is in use and was purchased within
the European Union, please contact your local sales agent or Specac
to make arrangements for disposal of this equipment.

9

User Manual

4. Spares/Parts for the Specamill™

Removal of the Blade (4)

The blade (4) is secured by the clamp block (8) and its securing screw
(9). To remove the blade 94), loosen the screw (9) with the 6.0mm
hexagonal Allen key provided. The blade (4) and its mounting pads
(10) will separate from the Specamill™.

The blade (4) is sandwiched between the two pads (10) and it is
essential that these pads are fitted to the blade in their correct position
when the blade is re-assembled. Ensure, that the securing screw (9) is
firmly tightened when re-assembling.

Parts

P/N 06000 Specamill™ 220volts/50Hz complete accessory but
without capsule set.
P/N 06800 Specamill™ 110volts/60Hz complete accessory but
without capsule set.
P/N 06100 Stainless steel capsule set with 3 stainless steel balls and
stainless steel stopper.
P/N 06200 Agate capsule set with 3 agate balls and agate stopper.
P/N 06400 Stainless steel balls (3) for P/N 06100.
P/N 06300 Agate balls (30 for P/N 06200.
P/N 06500 Replacement blade for Specamill™.
P/N 06600 Replacement capsule set retaining clip for Specamill™.
P/N 06700 Replacement capsule holder for Specamill™.

10

Specamill™ Grinding Mixer Accessory

11

User Manual

Notes for Use of Specamill™

12

Specamill™ Grinding Mixer Accessory

Notes for Use of Specamill™

13

User Manual

Notes for Use of Specamill™

14

Worldwide Distribution

France

Eurolabo - Paris.
Tel.[phone]
Fax [phone]
email: [email protected]

Germany

L.O.T. - Oriel GmbH & Co,
KG - Darmstadt
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
email:[email protected]
Website: www.LOT-Oriel.com/de

Japan

Systems Engineering Inc. -Tokyo
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
email:[email protected]
Website: www.systems-eng.co.jp

Spain

Teknokroma S.Coop C. Ltda
Barcelona
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
email: [email protected]

Switzerland

Portmann InstrumentsAG
Biel-Benken
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
email: [email protected]
Website:www.portmann-instruments.ch

USA

SPECAC INC.
414 Commerce Drive
Suite 175,
Fort Washington,
PA 19034, USA
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

United Kingdom

Specac Ltd. - London
River House, 97 Cray Avenue,
Orpington
Kent BR5 4HE
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Registered No. 1008689 England

For Infrared Spectroscopy™

SPECAC INC.

414 Commerce Drive
Suite 175,
Fort Washington,
PA 19034, USA
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Innovative Solutions

www.specac.com

River House, 97 Cray Avenue,

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Registered No. 1008689 England

SPECAC LTD.

Orpington

Kent BR5 4HE