Why assess cleaning access before choosing a small-sample mill?
With limited material, recovery and carryover can influence the usable analytical sample. Access to the preparation path helps define a repeatable changeover procedure.
14 Apr.2025| Size & Volume Reduc•on
Efficient and contamination-free sample preparation is crucial for the analysis of powders and bulk solids.
RETSCH new tabletop cutting mill, the SM 50, available worldwide since April 1st, 2025, offers groundbreaking innovations that set new standards in precision and versatility while minimizing overall process time. Notably, the SM 50 stands out as the only solution on the market when dealing with scenarios where only a handful of sample material is available for the comminution task, making it an ideal choice for situations that demand exceptional adaptability.
Compact yet powerful, the SM 50 integrates seamlessly into virtually any work environment and proves to be a versatile tool for various materials: construction materials, chemicals, fuels, cosmetics, feed, pharmaceuticals, and more.
The newly developed Total Access Concept of the SM 50 forms the basis for rapid and easy cleaning processes. Easylnspect allows access to the entire interior of the mill via a door flap, from the hopper to the collecting receptacle. Full access also means that, for the first time, the entire milling chamber can be effortlessly removed from the cutting mill with just one hand using push-fit technology, enabling timesaving and thorough cleaning under water without residue. The impressive result of the Total Access Concept is unparalleled time-saving potential of a good 30 percent for the entire sample preparation process.
Efficiency and Contamination-Free Processing
Simple and thorough cleaning minimizes contamination risks. The Easylnspect hopper can also be cleaned thoroughly, completing the accessibility to all surfaces susceptible to contamination within the cutting mill. To prevent contamination during the milling process, the SM 50 features an integrated cyclone within the housing for the first time, reliably directing milled material into the collecting receptacle with optimized flow dynamics. This combination also supports the milling of temperature-sensitive sample materials by drastically shortening the milling process.
Variable accessories for variable raw materials
Variable raw materials demand adaptable accessories, and the SM 50 provides solutions across a range of including agriculture, recycling, food and feed, and pharmaceuticals. The sieves offer aperture sizes from 0.25 to 10 mm, while collector systems accommodate glass collection capacities of 0.25 and 0.5 liters, along with a 3-liter receptacle.
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The integrated cyclone delivers high separation efficiency, eliminating dust pollution and ensuring nearly complete recovery of sample material, even for slightly greasy and sticky substances like animal feed. For dusty samples such as herbs, bark, or dried vegetables, the SM 50 can grind them to particle sizes of less than 200 pm.
Its efficient feed mechanism, utilizing a batch feeding hopper, is designed to handle voluminous, fluffy, and light samples with consistent discharge. Soft materials, including feathers, textiles, or hay, which may significantly change in volume during grinding (becoming fluffy or powdery), are processed reliably and collected almost without residue.
Exceptional cutting performance for tough materials
The SM 50 is a powerful grinding machine designed for efficient processing of challenging materials. Its batch feeding hopper facilitates easy handling of medium-hard, tough, elastic, and fibrous items, such as children's toys, preforms, wood pieces, and dry dog chew bones. With a robust 1.5 kW motor, the machine can reach speeds up to 4,000 rpm, paired with a rotor diameter of 130 mm, ensuring exceptional high cutting speeds and powerful grinding even for larger pieces up to 50 mm.
Utilizing cyclone technology, the SM 50 swiftly transfers sample materials to the collector, reducing heat buildup in the grinding chamber. This feature helps preserve heat-sensitive materials. Additionally, the machine can employ softer materials, that have been embrittled by freezing, such as withliquid nitrogen to enable to enhance grinding efficiency. These capabilities make the SM 50 versatile and suitable for a wide range of applications.
Ergonomics and Versatile Applications With its focus on ergonomic design and versatility, the SM 50's comprehensive offering includes a wide range of accessories that meet the varying requirements of powder and bulk solids industries. The modular concept allows tool-free component exchange, making it adaptable for various applications, especially when different materials need to be processed consecutively. This adaptability makes the SM 50 a true all-rounder, ensuring efficient handling of powders and dry bulk materials with different material properties.
Plan the configuration for your material.
Assess a benchtop mill over a complete sample cycle: feeding, cutting, recovery, inspection and cleaning. A small initial quantity can make residual material particularly important. Match the feed shape and collection arrangement to the sample instead of judging suitability only by the amount that fits in the hopper.
| Consideration | Information to provide |
|---|---|
| Feed form | Bulky pieces, fibers or mixed material |
| Sample cycle | Loading through cleaning |
| Collection | Recoverable quantity and transfer steps |
How should the application examples be used?
The results describe the materials and configurations discussed here. Confirm equipment options, contact materials and operating conditions for your own sample before adopting a method. A demonstrated endpoint does not guarantee the same outcome for a different material.
Discuss material testing with Glen Mills or request further information or a quote.