Manual powder flow tester EFT-01: A standardized and repeatable method

The flowability of a powder is one of the most critical physical properties, directly impacting weight and content uniformity in the manufacturing of tablets and capsules. The EFT-01 Manual Powder Flow Tester by Electrolab is a fundamental apparatus, specifically designed to provide a simple, repeatable index of flowability in compliance with international pharmacopeia standards.

Key features of the EFT-01 powder flow tester

This instrument is an indispensable tool in R&D and QC laboratories, helping to characterize powder materials before they enter the production phase.

Compliance with USP and Ph. Eur. pharmacopeias

The EFT-01 is designed to comply with the specifications in the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.), ensuring that your measurement methods and results are valid and widely recognized in the pharmaceutical industry.

Simple and highly repeatable method

The apparatus provides a standardized method for determining the flowability of powders. By allowing the powder to flow through discs with various orifice diameters, the instrument helps establish a highly repeatable flowability index, which helps eliminate operator-induced variability.

Easy determination of angle of repose

The device is designed to easily measure the angle of repose, another critical parameter for assessing flowability. The powder is allowed to flow through a funnel to form a conical pile. By using the included digital height gauge, the operator can easily measure the height and diameter of the pile to calculate the angle of repose.

Flexible with various orifice sizes

The instrument complies with Ph. Eur. with standard outflow openings of 10 mm, 15 mm, and 25 mm. Additionally, Electrolab offers other customized sizes, providing flexibility for testing a wide range of powders with different flow characteristics.

Detailed technical specifications

• Model: EFT-01

• Compliance: USP, Ph. Eur.

• Body Material: Stainless Steel (S.S.)

• Standard Orifices (Ph. Eur.): 10 mm, 15 mm, 25 mm

• Included Accessories: Digital height gauge, pointer, powder collection disc, cone.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. What is powder flowability and why is it important?
Flowability is the ability of a powder mass to flow consistently and uniformly under gravity. A powder with good flowability will ensure that tablet presses or capsule fillers are fed uniformly, which in turn produces products with consistent weight and content uniformity.

2. What is the Angle of Repose?
The angle of repose is the angle formed between the surface of a conical powder pile and the horizontal plane. The smaller the angle of repose, the better the powder’s flowability. It is a simple and common method to qualitatively assess flowability.

3. Is this device automatic?
No. The EFT-01 is a manually operated apparatus. Its role is to provide a standardized structure and method to ensure the consistency and repeatability of the measurement when performed by a human operator.

4. What is the digital height gauge used for?
The digital height gauge is a key accessory used to accurately measure the height of the conical powder pile that is formed. This height value, along with the diameter of the pile, is used to calculate the angle of repose.

5. How can this device help prevent manufacturing issues?
By testing the flowability of a powder before it is loaded into a tablet press or capsule filler, formulation scientists can predict and troubleshoot potential issues like tablet weight variation, inconsistent hardness, or feeding problems, thereby avoiding the production of out-of-spec batches.