Discover our instruments and our methodology

Expert Lab Service provides the tools to answer the right question and compete in ceramic excellence.

Do not hesitate to contact us to discover our lab instruments and services and also ask for consultancy.

You can schedule a meeting and an exclusive conference call.

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Discover our instruments and our methodology

Products and services

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Heating Microscope

To study the fusibility of materials (ceramic raw materials, glazes, frits, ashes, glasses);. More information available

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Optical Dilatometer

To study the coefficient of thermal expansion and sintering behaviour during firing, also to determining the best firing cycle; More information available

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Optical Fleximeter

To study the pyroplasticity and the state of tension between the glaze and the ceramic body. More information available

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Ceramics Genome

Bring Ceramics Alive, with the new online platform dedicated to ceramic modelling and calculation, body and glaze formulation, and traceability of raw and semi-finished materials throughout the production process.. More information available

Research and development and quality control on raw materials

Quality control on raw materials, ceramic bodies and glazes; ceramic body formulations; study of emissions concerning digital inks and glues. More information available

Consultancy and education

How to solve industrial issues Contact us

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Our Customers take advantage of our services and our measurement instruments to carry on research on advanced ceramic materials, for quality control in industrial ceramic tile manufacturing, for the characterization of raw materials, to study the interaction between different materials, and much more.




ELS-MDF: Microscope, Dilatometer, Fleximeter

ELS-MDF is the new contact-less optical thermal analysis instrument able to reproduce industrial heating cycles, by unifying the following measurement techniques:

  • Heating Microscope. Fusibility (ceramic raw materials, glazes, frits, ashes, glasses);
  • Optical Dilatometer. Coefficient of thermal expansion, glass transition temperature, volume variation, sintering behaviour beyond the the softening point;
  • Optical Fleximeter. Piroplasticity and the state of tension between layered materials.

The instrument reproduces a real industrial firing cycle:

  • Up to 80°C/min
  • Up to 1600°C (other options available)
  • With shock cooling

Discover the ELS-MDF advantage

ELS-MDF: Microscope, Dilatometer, Fleximeter

Frequently Asked Questions

Ceramic process simulation

How to determine the best firing cycle?

The Optical Dilatometer is the best instrument to study the sinterization and to determine the best firing cycle avoiding any risk of damage thanks its optical technology.

How to assess the stability interval of a ceramic body?

Take advantage of the Optical Dilatometer to study of the interval of stability of a ceramic body avoiding the risk of bloating.

Take advantage of the Optical Fleximeter to study the piroplasticity of the ceramic body, which is its tendency to deform under its own weight.

How to verify the compatibility between a ceramic body and a glaze?

The heating Microscope can indentify the softening temperature, which must be suitable for the ceramic firing cycle.

The studies run thanks to the Optical Dilatometer can match those run taking advantage of the Optical Fleximeterto determine the state of tension in final products.

See other

Heating Microscope

The Heating Microscope measurement technique, included in ELS-MDF:

  • Is able to store images of the test piece at predetermined temperature or time intervals;
  • Works in the range between 25°C and 1600°C;
  • Automatically identifies characteristic shapes.

The applications of heating microscopes include:

  • Identifications of charactristic shapes of glasses, glazes and frits;
  • Determination of melting point;
  • Comparison between different kind of samples that undergo the same thermal cycle;
  • The study of behaviour of mold powders for continuous casting.

We can provide custom-made heating microscopes for specific fields:

  • A special 1750°C variant, for advanced ceramics, ashes fusibility, etc;
  • An high-throughput variant, able to analyze 8 concurrent samples.

Case study: Fusibility of glazes, ceramic bodies and frits

Optical Dilatometer

The Optical Dilatometer measurement technique is included in the ELS-MDF instrument.

  • Is based on two optics which are framing both the ends of the sample that is free to expand in both directions;
  • Allows to extend the range of research to temperatures higher than the softening point;
  • Works in the range between 25°C and 1600°C.

The applications of optical dilatometry include:

  • Measurement of thermal expansion. ELS-MDF can be used also to measure the thermal expansion of ultra-thin materials and soften ones;
  • Sintering studies;
  • Optimization of the firing cycle of ceramic bodies;
  • Quality control of raw materials.

Case studies:

Optical Fleximeter

The Optical Fleximeter measurement technique, included in ELS-MDF instrument:

  • Performs flexion measurements on a sample placed on two holding rods, 70mm spaced;
  • Is equipped with a camera that frames the center of the sample. It is free to move downwards or upwards during the test.

The applications of fleximeter include:

  • Measurement of ceramic body pyroplasticity
  • Study of deformation after firing of glazed ceramic materials and identification of coupling temperature
  • Bending of green tiles due to consecutive applications of water

Case studies:

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Expert Lab Service

Expert Lab Service

Advanced solutions and instruments for the ceramic industry

About us

Expert Lab Service produces tailor-made thermal analysis instruments specifically designed for the ceramic industry. The company also provides skilled assistance in the ceramic field, from laboratory analyses to scientific instruments, from raw materials to excellence products. It is situated in Modena, Italy, at the core of the ceramic district, and benefits from the renown experience of its founder, dott. Mariano Paganelli.

Vision: To sustainably grow in scientific knowledge and technological competence in order to uncover material’s properties and behaviors of high value for humanity.

Mission: To serve the needs of materials scientists advancing the field with practical measurement instruments, proven analytical techniques, powerful algorithms and usable software.

Long-standing experience

Expert Lab Service enjoys the unique experience of Doctor Mariano Paganelli.

 
 
 
 
 
Ten Years!
Expert Lab Service
Feb 2024 – Present Italia
ELS celebrates its first 10 years of activity. As we moved way beyond laboratory services, we removed the name from the logo and new refer to ourselves simply as ELS. Our mission and vision are stated to guide our daily efforts towards the future.
 
 
 
 
 
Absolute Optics
Jan 2023 – Dec 2024 Italia
A total redesign of the MDF is released, featuring the Absolute Optics concept with 64Mpix optical system, the adoption of proprietary electronics and more precise direct current power control.
 
 
 
 
 
International expansion
Expert Lab Service
Jan 2022 – Dec 2022 Italia
ELS participates in 3 international events: SECV converence in Spain; Tecna expo in Italy; ASEAN ceramics in Thailand. New collaborations are started with local representatives around the world. First instruments shipped to Spain, India and United States. First 1750°C furace released.
 
 
 
 
 
Ceramics Genome startup
Jan 2021 – Present Italia
The development of the Ceramics Genome ceramic database and modeling tool is started. Trademark is registered along with ELS-MDF.
 
 
 
 
 
First MDF export
Expert Lab Service
Nov 2019 – Nov 2019 Italia
The first MDF instrument is installed abroad.
 
 
 
 
 
MDF: Microscope Dilatometer Fleximeter
Expert Lab Service
Jan 2019 – Present Italia
Since 2019 ELS develops and sell a new optical laboratory equipment, characterised by the fact that all the measurements are made with no contact with the specimen. The new machines show an innovative software and hardware design. They can reach higher performances: reproduce complex industrial firing cycles (flash heating and flash cooling) and the heating microscope can run up to four simultaneous analyses.
 
 
 
 
 
Aldo Villa Prize, 2018
Oct 2018 – Oct 2018 Italia
Mariano Paganelli is rewarded for “his extraordinary ability to apply research to industrial processes in an incisive and original way, for his effort to the advancement of scientific knowledge in ceramic production and for the brilliant development of measurement techniques and technological solutions for improvement of ceramic products and processes.”
 
 
 
 
 
Research on Digital Inks Emissions
Expert Lab Service
Jan 2016 – Jan 2018 Italia
The problem of odorous emissions from the firing of digital inks affects several plants in the Sassuolo district. ELS research substantially contributes in identifying the cause of these emissions, develops a laboratory procedure to predicts them, and suggests mitigation strategies.
 
 
 
 
 
Establishment of Expert Lab Service
Expert Lab Service
Feb 2014 – Present Italia
Establishment of Expert Lab Service Srls, again under the guidance of Mariano Paganelli. The company started its activity as a laboratory for ceramic industries and ceramic technology suppliers.
 
 
 
 
 
Expert System Solutions sale
Expert System Solutions
Jan 2013 – Jan 2014 Italia
Expert System Solutions Srl was sold to TA Instruments and ceased its activity after 2 years.
 
 
 
 
 
Establishment of Expert System Solutions Srl
Expert System Solutions
Jan 2000 – Dec 2013 Italia
Establishment of Expert System Solutions Srl, which was a company focused on the development of equipment for the ceramic field, both software and hardware. Under the leadership of the president Mariano Paganelli, new laboratory instruments were designed, such as Optical Dilatometer and Optical Fleximeter.
 
 
 
 
 
Establishment of Expert System Srl
Expert System
Jan 1989 – Jan 2000 Italia
Establishment of Expert System Srl, which was a company that putted into practice Mariano Paganelli’s ideas. The company developed new software extremely useful for ceramic industries (Tile Master and Glaze Master). He designed also the first Heating Microscope equipped with computerised images analysis techniques. Old units are still operational all over the world.

Contact

Contact us to discover our lab equipment, available analyses, ask for consultancy and any further information. You can schedule a meeting or book an exclusive presentation.