New possibilities for effective process automation via partnership of weighing technology leader and material analysis innovator

Schenck Process of Germany and FCT-ACTech of Australia have signed a Sales Representation Agreement for the promotion of FCT’s unique Continuous On-Stream Mineral Analyser (COSMA) by Schenck Process in multiple territories. FCT has developed and patented the first continuous field-based on-stream mineral analyser based on innovative XRD analysis technology and is set to revolutionise the field of quality control and subsequently the optimisation of production costs in a wide range of industries from cement and fertilisers to steel and non-ferrous metals.
This co-operation includes the EU (excluding Scandinavia), North and South America, Russia, Ukraine, Africa, India and China and further strengthens Schenck Process’ position as a global supplier of solutions for weighing, feeding, screening and automation throughout the industrial process industries and provides Australian based FCT with an enhanced coherent access to international markets for on-line mineral analysis, a quality control application of growing significance to end users for example in the metallurgical industries.

The COSMA solution designed for in-plant deployment (rather than laboratory use) uses XRD and Rietveld technologies and provides ‘real time’ information for automated process control and optimisation e.g. in ore roasters and smelters or concentration plants.  Traditional mineralogical monitoring methods rely on laboratory-based rather than on-line measurements resulting in ‘after-the-event’ adjustments to plant control conditions.

COSMA addresses industry needs for on-line ‘real time’ data acquisition during the production process. Schenck says there is an excellent strategic fit between its core business activities of weighing, feeding, screening, automation and bulk material handling and FCT’s focus on analysis and automation technology – the result being the ability to provide a total solution package to customers for preparing and processing a correct mixture of materials to produce the required quality of product.