RETSCH AS 200 CONTROL Digital Vibratory Sieve Shaker

Overview

The RETSCH AS 200 CONTROL is a high-precision, digitally controlled vibratory sieve shaker engineered for reproducible particle size distribution analysis across R&D, quality control, and production environments. It operates on the principle of electromagnetic vibration generation—delivering consistent, adjustable amplitude and frequency without mechanical wear—ensuring long-term stability and minimal energy-induced sample degradation. Unlike rotary or tapping sievers, the AS 200 CONTROL applies vertical oscillation with precisely regulated acceleration (0–3 g), enabling effective separation of fine powders down to 20 µm while maintaining integrity of fragile or cohesive materials. Its design conforms to standardized sieving methodologies defined in ISO 2591-1 (determination of particle size distribution by sieving) and supports traceability requirements aligned with ISO 9001 quality management systems.

Key Features

• Digital electromagnetic drive system with real-time amplitude and time control—eliminates mechanical backlash and ensures repeatable excitation profiles.
• Programmable operation with up to 99 user-defined sieve methods, including time, amplitude, and pause sequences—ideal for method validation and cross-laboratory harmonization.
• Integrated calibration function with certified reference weights and documented calibration certificates—enabling inter-instrument comparability across global sites.
• Modular sieve stack support for either 9- or 17-tier configurations, compatible with standard ISO 3310-1 and ASTM E11 woven-wire test sieves (diameters 200 mm and 300 mm).
• Touchscreen interface with multilingual support (English, German, French, Spanish), password-protected user levels, and audit trail logging for GLP/GMP compliance.
• Robust stainless-steel housing and vibration-dampened base—designed for continuous operation in industrial QC labs with minimal maintenance.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The AS 200 CONTROL accommodates dry, free-flowing, slightly agglomerated, or mildly cohesive powders—including pharmaceutical actives, metal powders, catalysts, ceramics, food ingredients, and mineral aggregates. It is not intended for wet sieving or highly fibrous or sticky samples without pretreatment (e.g., drying or dispersant addition). All operational parameters comply with ISO 2591-1 for manual and mechanical sieving, and its programmable logic supports alignment with USP , EP 2.9.32, and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with validated software extensions (e.g., RETSCH’s EASY SIEVE LIMS interface). Calibration certificates are issued per ISO/IEC 17025-accredited procedures upon request.

Software & Data Management

While the AS 200 CONTROL operates as a standalone instrument, its digital architecture enables integration with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) via RS-232 or optional Ethernet module. The built-in memory stores full execution logs—including date/time stamp, operator ID, method ID, amplitude setting, duration, and final sieve residue mass per tray—for retrospective review. When used with RETSCH’s EASY SIEVE software (sold separately), users gain automated report generation compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 requirements, including electronic signatures, audit trails, and data export in CSV/PDF formats. All data entries are immutable post-execution unless authorized under administrator privileges.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical: Granule and API particle size verification per USP ; content uniformity support; excipient qualification.
• Materials Science: Metal powder characterization for additive manufacturing feedstock qualification (ASTM F3049); ceramic green body consistency checks.
• Food & Agriculture: Flour, sugar, and spice grading; feed pellet fineness testing per ISO 7438.
• Chemicals & Catalysts: Zeolite, activated carbon, and pigment particle distribution monitoring for batch release.
• Construction & Mining: Aggregate gradation analysis (ASTM C136); fly ash and slag fineness testing (ASTM C618).

FAQ

What standards does the AS 200 CONTROL comply with for sieving methodology?
It adheres to ISO 2591-1 for mechanical sieving and supports implementation of ASTM E11, ISO 3310-1, and USP through proper sieve selection and validated operating parameters.
Can the AS 200 CONTROL be used for wet sieving?
No—it is designed exclusively for dry sieving applications. Wet sieving requires specialized equipment with liquid handling and drainage capabilities.
How is inter-instrument reproducibility ensured across multiple AS 200 CONTROL units?
Through factory calibration using traceable reference masses and embedded amplitude verification routines, combined with user-performed periodic recalibration using RETSCH-certified kits.
Is the instrument suitable for regulatory submissions in pharmaceutical manufacturing?
Yes—when operated with validated methods, logged parameters, and supporting documentation (e.g., calibration certificates, maintenance records), it meets ICH Q5A and FDA process validation expectations for particle size testing.
What sieve diameters and mesh types are supported?
Standard compatibility includes 200 mm and 300 mm diameter sieves per ISO 3310-1; both woven wire and perforated plate sieves can be mounted depending on application requirements.