FEI has launched the QEMSCAN Express following the introduction of the MLA Express at Process Mineralogy in Cape Town, South Africa in November 2012. Both products are built on FEI’s Aspex SEM technology and this Aspex platform provides operational ease of use and minimal laboratory infrastructure requirements to move closer to a fully turnkey mineralogy analyser. QEMSCAN Express has a bench top SEM platform with 20 kV electron column, a single Bruker 5030 EDS detector with 400 kcps output pulse processor board, a 6 (30 mm) block holder, and the latest iDiscover data acquisition analysis and reporting software suite running under Windows 7.

Express, MLA and QEMSCAN both reduce the need for dedicated laboratory infrastructure with the main unit measuring 73 x 66 x 60 cm and weighing 90 kg enabling it to sit on a workbench. Other features include an electronic console, PC, Bruker pulse processor unit and pre-vacuum pump. SFR’s Chris Hamilton, who officially represents FEI in Canada said “I was very impressed with the aesthetics and simplicity of the MLA Express. It pairs an ease-of-use SEM platform and a versatility-of-use ranging from ideal for simple ores to precious metal characterisation. A nice little system with tremendous potential, FEI has done well to merge the Aspex SEM platform and their existing EDS and automated mineralogy technologies into one compact system. I went in for half a day and with no prior knowledge of the MLA EXpress, was comfortable in no time at all. I am convinced, since the validation and testing was exceptionally easy and quick, that this is tremendous progress to rapid commissioning and setup. This brings turnkey automated mineralogy much closer to a reality than ever before.”