POWDERado

POWDERado

– the self-contained downdraft filter workstation for fingerprint powder application

Working with fingerprint powders is a common occurrence in the field of forensics. While changes have been made to improve powders over the years to make them safer and produce higher quality prints, working with powder still involves paying a great deal of dust that shouldn’t be inhaled.

POWDERado is a workstation contributing to the health and safety of a fingerprint expert’s workplace. It provides an automated filter system entirely independent of on-site ventilation. As a result, it is a perfect alternative to conventional fume hoods.

The working surface of POWDERado is made from non-magnetic stainless steel. This is especially beneficial when working with magnetic fingerprint powders. Below the working surface sits a combination of a pre-filter fleece and a fine particulate dust cassette H13. The pre-filter keeps larger dust particles out of the H13 cassette, reducing how frequently the filter must be replaced. The system can also be fitted with an optional activated carbon fleece filter to reduce evidence odours. These features both improve workplace safety and help reduce operating costs.

Variety of Uses – POWDERado

POWDERado has been developed as a benchtop device. It is designed to be compact and can operate without any external ventilation connections, making it practical for both labs and offices. In addition, thanks to the independent filtration system, it can potentially be transported to develop evidence at a scene.

When it is not in use or when you are simply taking a short break from processing evidence, the top and side flaps of the system can be closed. This fully encloses the system to prevent evidence from being disturbed and keep dust and debris from contaminating other areas in your workspace.

The top flap can be opened to provide a convenient semi-enclosed workspace that limits the spread of dust and powder. The side flaps can also be opened during use to accommodate much larger pieces of evidence that need more space.

If users don’t wish to use POWDERado directly on a benchtop, we have both fixed and height-adjustable stand options, allowing it to be used either standing or sitting as needed. These stands are designed with no cabinets to allow for legroom, but it is possible to order a unit on a rolling stand as well, which has extra shelving space.

User-Friendly Control System

POWDERado uses a multilingual touch panel display that is simple and easier to clean than systems with button or switch controls. Users can easily change the system settings, filter fan speed, control lighting, and monitor the filter life.

The system lets users know how much filter life they have left and when a filter needs to be changed. It also has automatic setting options that automatically start up the fan for the filtration system and turn on the lights when the flaps of the POWDERado are opened. When the system is closed, it enters a standby mode and runs short mini-cleaning cycles to keep the air in the enclosed workspace free from dust and powder.

New Lighting Options – POWDERado

POWDERado comes with an integrated LED cold white lighting system. This temperature of white light produces a high amount of contrast, making it easy to see the evidence. Users may also want additional lighting options for more applications.

Support mounts for our LIGHTcube modular forensic light sources can be mounted on the back wall of the system. Then, users click a LIGHTcube into place with the quick-connect system.

Our wide variety of LIGHTcube light source modules lets users select the light sources they need the most, whether to increase contrast or look for fluorescent evidence like fluorescent powders, stains, and biological evidence. In addition, all modules in our LIGHTcube series are designed to be passively cooled, so they are intended without fans that might blow dust around a work area or suck in dust and debris and later blow it out, potentially damaging other evidence.

Multi-Stage Filter

POWDERado has a two-stage filter system. An M5 pre-filter mat filters out larger particulates and protects the second stage, the H13 HEPA filter. The pre-filter helps prolong the life of the HEPA filter, increasing filter life and reducing operating costs.

We also offer an optional activated carbon filter for those who need to reduce fumes and odours from evidence and developers.

The filter monitoring feature keeps track of how much filter life is left and lets the user know when it is time to change the filter. Swapping filters is fast and easy. It can be done in a few minutes and requires no tools or special training.

Air Flow Design – POWDERado

Below the working surface sits a combination of a pre-filter fleece and a fine particulate dust H13 cassette. The pre-filter keeps larger dust particles out of the H13 cassette, reducing how frequently the filter must be replaced. The system can also be fitted with an optional activated carbon fleece filter to reduce evidence odours. These features both improve workplace safety and help reduce operating costs. In addition, the system has no hidden hoses or air channels that need to be cleaned or could build up dust that might later damage evidence or cause the system to malfunction.

Unlike other systems that draw air from a workspace upwards or backward, potentially spreading powder and making it airborne, the POWDERado draws air directly downwards. This works with gravity to filter air more effectively to keep the area cleaner and safer.

All work surface material in the POWDERado interior is ferromagnetic to ensure that powders like magnetic powders can still safely and efficiently be used. This also makes the workspace much easier to clean.

Useful Accessories

If users don’t wish to use POWDERado directly on a benchtop, we have both fixed and height-adjustable stand options, allowing it to be used either standing or sitting as needed. These stands are designed with no cabinets to allow for legroom, but it is possible to order a unit on a rolling stand as well, which has extra shelving space.

POWDERado comes with an integrated LED cold white lighting system. This temperature of white light produces a high amount of contrast, making it easy to see the evidence. Users may also want additional lighting options for more applications.

Support mounts for our LIGHTcube modular forensic light sources can be mounted on the back wall of the system. Users click a LIGHTcube into place with the quick-connect system. Our wide variety of LIGHTcube light source modules lets users select the light sources they need the most, whether to increase contrast or look for fluorescent evidence like fluorescent powders, stains, and biological evidence.

All modules in our LIGHTcube series are designed to be passively cooled. They are designed without fans that might blow dust around a work area or suck in dust and debris and later blow it out, potentially damaging other evidence. In addition, our module selection includes a variety of light sources, from UV to IR. Check out the LIGHTcube product page to learn more.

The system can also be outfitted with support mounts for camera equipment, camera accessories and other light sources for those who wish to use their equipment.