IDC Models Creates Low Volume Spectrometer

IDC Models has supported Specac in the design of a special portable spectrometer called Prospect XL 3000 that uses the company's innovative new infra-red spectroscopy technology for use in process plants. With low volume production in mind, IDC was tasked with the rapid development of a new product that harnessed all the advantages of Specac's new technology, without the weighty costs associated with injection moulding tooling.

With a hi-tech workshop on site complete with laboratory facilities, IDC Models was able to swiftly produce a rapid prototype of the portable spectrometer in-house. As a result, injection moulding tooling was redundant, leaving out the worry of long delays and high costs.

"The low volume production kept the end user needs and economical constraints in mind, without compromising on superior quality." Specac's technical director, Dr Graham Poulter.

After working closely with Specac, IDC Models' expert model makers selected the best techniques for the job at hand which resulted in using Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) to rapidly create robust parts which were then hand finished and painted to a production standard.

The Prospect XL 3000 is proving popular in laboratories, process plants and pilot plants across a variety of applications areas, including foodstuffs, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.