Choosing the Right Texture Analyser Probes and Attachments

How to Select the Correct Probes and Attachments for Your Texture Analyser Application

Mason Technology, we support a wide range of Irish industries in achieving accurate, consistent, and meaningful texture analysis. As the official Irish distributor of Stable Micro Systems, we understand that selecting the appropriate probe or attachment is just as crucial as choosing the texture analyser itself.

With a broad portfolio of probes and fixtures available, determining the best fit for your application, be it slicing a sausage, compressing a tablet, or testing the elasticity of polymer films, can be challenging. That’s why, to assist with selection, Stable Micro Systems offers a dedicated probe and attachment selector tool that helps you find the ideal solution for your specific testing needs.

What Can You Test with These Probes?

Stable Micro Systems’ range of probes and attachments caters to virtually every type of texture measurement:

• Cutting / Shearing – Assess the force needed to slice or sever samples like fruit, vegetables, or gels.
• Fracture / Bending – Examine the brittleness or flexibility of baked goods, plastics, and more.
• Extrusion – Determine flow characteristics of pastes, creams, and semi-solids.
• Tension – Measure adhesive properties and sample stretchability.
• Multiple Penetration & Bulk Compression – Understand how products respond to repeated force or overall compression.

Importantly, each probe or attachment fits seamlessly within the texture analyser’s testing area and is compatible with systems used in research labs, quality control settings, and even automated production lines worldwide.

What are the Applications of Texture Analysers?

Sector-Specific Applications

Nutrition and Beverage

Texture plays a pivotal role in consumer perception of food and beverages. For instance:

• Fortified Foods – Texture analysis ensures that the addition of nutrients doesn’t adversely affect the product’s mouthfeel, maintaining consumer acceptance.
• Dysphagia-Friendly Products – The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework relies on texture analysis to classify food textures suitable for individuals with swallowing difficulties.

Academia and Research

• Stable Micro Systems’ TA.XTplus is the most academically referenced texture analyser globally, underscoring its significance in research settings.

MedTech

Texture analysers are instrumental in evaluating the physical properties of medical devices:

• Inhalers – Measuring actuation force ensures consistent dosage delivery.
• Stents and Implants – Assessing compressive strength guarantees structural integrity.
• Medical Adhesives – Testing bond strength ensures reliable adhesion.

Pharma / Biopharma

Texture analysis ensures pharmaceutical products meet strict quality and functional standards:

• Tablet Hardness: Ensuring tablets withstand handling yet disintegrate appropriately.
• Gel Strength: Evaluating consistency for topical applications.
• Mucoadhesion: Measuring the adhesive strength of formulations to mucosal surfaces.

Manufacturing

Texture analysers are widely used in production settings for:

• Measuring the ‘mouthfeel’ properties of food: Ensuring products meet consumer expectations.
• Assessing the flow properties of creams and pastes: Guaranteeing consistency in production.
• Evaluating the compressibility/tensile strength of packaging: Ensuring durability during transportation.

Electronics / Electromechanical

In the electronics sector, texture analysers support:

• Assess Adhesive Properties: Measuring the tackiness and bond strength of adhesives used in electronic components.

Agriculture

Texture analysis plays an increasingly vital role in modern agriculture:

• Evaluating Produce Firmness: Ensuring fruits and vegetables meet quality standards.
• Comparing Traditional and Vertically Farmed Produce: Assessing textural differences to optimise cultivation methods.

Built for Accuracy and Reliability

What sets these probes apart isn’t just the variety. It’s the precision engineering behind each one. All probes and attachments are manufactured in-house using advanced CNC machining, and made from:

• Food-grade stainless steel, polished to a mirror finish

• Aerospace-grade aluminium, micro-finished and hard anodised

• Engineering plastics, selected for high-performance durability

Every component is rigorously inspected for dimensional accuracy and finish to ensure flawless performance.

Custom Solutions Available

If your testing needs fall outside the standard catalogue, Mason Technology will collaborate with Stable Micro Systems’ Custom Design Service to create bespoke probes and fixtures tailored to your specifications.

Local Support

Mason Technology provides full sales and service support for the complete range of Stable Micro Systems texture analysers and accessories. Whether you’re introducing texture analysis into your workflow or expanding your capabilities, we’re here to help.