Stable Micro Systems launches new texture analyser

Stable Micro Systems, the designer and manufacturer of texture analysis equipment for the food industry, is launching its new-generation texture analyser at the FIE 2001, taking place next week in London. The UK company claims that the new TA-XTPlus Texture Analyser is extremely efficient, capable of high-speed testing and possesses a completely new comprehensive software package. According to Stable Micro Systems the various design features enhance the functionality of the TA-XTPlus. A simple keypad has been integrated into the main body of the analyser to save desk space. The ability to plug in peripheral instruments has been incorporated into the design to provide multi-channel data acquisition. This allows for relevant test equipment to be used in conjunction with the TA-XTPlus and their data simultaneously collected, such as temperature monitors to test dairy produce, and humidity monitors to test dry products - crackers and biscuits, for instance. Modifications have been made to maximise the flexibility of the texture analyser. These include multi-stage test programming facilities so the user can define individual arm-movement sequences at various speeds and distances. This unique control feature enables the most complex test protocols to be established. As a result, the texture analyser is no longer limited to fixed library tests. The speed range of the TA-XTPlus has also been extended. The high-resolution functionality from the established TA.XT2iHR model has been incorporated into the new instrument as standard, allowing for a minimum speed of 0.01mm/s. High speed testing is also possible as a maximum speed of 40mm/s can be reached using 5kg and 25kg load cells. Speed can also alter in proportion to the height of the sample, so products can be tested at a constant strain rate. The TA-XTPlus uses a proprietary 32-bit software called Texture Exponent.