The Armfield Hydraulics Bench (F1-10) and accessories have long been the benchmark used in fluid mechanics teaching laboratories. The comprehensive range of equipment can covers all aspects of the teaching of hydraulics in a safe, visual and easy-to-understand way, backed up by first-class teaching materials.

With the introduction of CAPTURE, machines that were once costly, cumbersome and difficult to use became affordable, space-saving and easy to use. Now CAPTURE MKII takes the concept forward into new realms of student understanding, adding superb visibility of the working of the bmachines and taking full advantage of the latest software and instrumentation techniques. All the CAPTURE units use standard PCs to display, record and manipulate the data. All Armfield CAPTURE units are now supplied with Armfield Armsoft LabVIEW™ based software to present and record the data in a way that is straightforward to use and understand for the student, yet offers a wide range of advanced features and capabilities. A common software format is used accross all machines. Similarly the machines all use a common interface unit, thus providing a cost-effective solution for laboratories requiring several machines.

Armfield’s range of internal combustion engines encompasses automotive and aviation power units, each one mounted on a small test bed and providing a complete engine learning system.

The Armfield FT102X miniature-scale carbonator enables precise and flexible carbonation and filling in the laboratory, dramatically improving the speed with which new products can be developed. The ability to establish precise and reproducible parameters when carbonating in the laboratory can dramatically improve the speed with which new products can be developed.

Armfield FT140 Multipurpose Mixing Vessels are designed and constructed using high-quality hygienic industry standard materials. These tanks are available in three models in varying configurations (see table) and are available in 50l and 100l volumes. All three models have an internal surface made of AISI 316 stainless steel.

The FT174X is a modular HTST/UHT processing system designed to treat products at flow rates of 12-40 l/hr or up to 60 l/hr for water (or similar low viscosity products). Standard modules for direct heating (steam injection) or indirect heating (using tubular and/or plate heat exchangers), aseptic processing, upstream or downstream homogenisation and additional chilling are available. These, along with many other options, enable multiple modules to be included in the same system, giving high process adaptability by reconfiguration of flexible product hoses, using quick-release connections. The sterilisation options enable it to be linked to an Armfield sterile filling bench to produce aseptic product, even when using long holding tubes and/or downstream homogenisation. As with all Armfield systems, it comes with hygienic fittings throughout as standard, it is easy to clean and very flexible in use. The touchscreen control panel makes it extremely user friendly to configure and monitor processing parameters. The operator is prompted at every stage whenever intervention is required.

The costs incurred by the length of time taken, the large quantities of raw materials required and the interruption of the production process mean it is disadvantageous to test new products using full-scale production equipment. The Armfield evaporator processes samples as small as two litres under conditions identical to those in production, sufficient to reveal the effect of heating on any ingredients newly introduced to the recipe. As well as investigation of the effect on organoleptic and physico-chemical properties, the equipment can be used to prepare product for taste trials on a daily basis to ensure the quality of incoming raw material is consistent.

The FT29 is a batch process unit suitable for teaching and research. Capable of a variety of solid/liquid extractions, it is particularly suitable for leaching edible oils from seeds and desolventising extracted solids and miscella. The Armfield Batch Solvent Extraction and Desolventising Unit is a floor-standing, batch-process unit capable of carrying out a variety of solid/liquid extractions. It is particularly suitable for ‘leaching’ edible oils from oil-bearing seeds and desolventising both the extracted solids and the miscella.