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Byline: R.D. Johnston, R.D. Diamand This paper traces the development of the BNF grain-size monitor from the earliest concept to a saleable commercial instrument. The project provides an excellent example of close collaboration between a research and development organization – BNF Metals Technology Centre – and a commercial instrument maker – Oxford Analytical Instruments Ltd. The paper explains the importance of grain size in annealed copper alloy strip and highlights the drawbacks associated with the traditional methods of grain-size measurement. The new unit, which recently became commercially available to industry, enables grain size to be determined non-destructively and instantaneously on-line, making possible swift adjustment to process controls. more...

This paper traces the development of the BNF grain–size monitor from the earliest concept to a saleable commercial instrument. The project provides an excellent example of close collaboration between a research and development organization – BNF Metals Technology Centre – and a commercial instrument maker – Oxford Analytical Instruments Ltd. The paper explains the importance of grain size in annealed copper alloy strip and highlights the drawbacks associated with the traditional methods of grain–size measurement. The new unit, which recently became commercially available to industry, enables grain size to be determined non–destructively and instantaneously on–line, making possible swift adjustment to process controls. more...