FAQs
When calibrations are developed using reliable reference data and representative samples, Polispec provides results comparable to laboratory analysis for quality control and real-time process decisions.
Yes. Thanks to its stable optical design and internal referencing system, Polispec delivers highly repeatable measurements on the same sample.
The reliability of an NIR spectrometer depends on optical quality, instrument stability, calibration robustness, and the quality of the reference data used to develop the models.
Polispec combines a highly stable optical design, automatic internal referencing, and chemometric models developed from representative datasets, enabling results comparable to laboratory analysis across many agricultural and industrial applications, while providing measurements directly on real materials and in real time.
Yes. Polispec is designed to analyze real-world materials characterized by variability, heterogeneous composition, and non-uniform particle size.
Yes. Moisture is one of the strongest NIR signals, and Polispec can reliably analyze wet and high-moisture materials.
Yes. Polispec is designed for industrial and agricultural environments and is available with IP68/IP69K protection.
Temperature can affect NIR spectra, but Polispec minimizes these effects through optical stability and internal referencing.
Calibration models should be developed using samples acquired under the same operating conditions in which the instrument will be used. For example, a calibration intended for field measurements or in-line process monitoring should be developed using samples acquired under those same operating conditions.
Measurements are performed within milliseconds. The total time required to obtain a result depends on the application, the number of acquisitions required, and the calibration model being used. This enables Polispec to support real-time monitoring and decision-making in both agricultural and industrial environments.
Yes. Data generated by Polispec can be exported and used within nutrition software, ration formulation systems, and farm management platforms. Integration methods depend on the software being used and the specific requirements of the application.
Yes. Polispec can be integrated with PLCs, SCADA systems, and other industrial automation platforms to support real-time process monitoring and control. Integration options depend on the plant architecture and the communication protocols required.
Choosing the right NIR system depends on the application, the material being analyzed, and the objectives of the project. Key factors include the sample type, the parameters to be measured, the installation point, the operating conditions, and the required level of integration. For this reason, Itphotonics evaluates each application individually to identify the most suitable solution and verify the availability of the necessary calibration models.
Yes. Polispec can calculate homogeneity indexes to support TMR management.
Yes. Polispec can be integrated into mixer wagons to monitor TMR during the mixing process. Depending on the application, the system can provide real-time information on nutritional parameters such as dry matter, protein, starch, and fiber, as well as homogeneity indexes that help operators determine when the desired mixing quality has been achieved.
Yes. Polispec can be used for raw material, blend, and finished product quality control.
Yes. Polispec can monitor moisture, fat, protein, and other quality parameters.
Yes. Moisture monitoring is one of the most common applications of NIR technology in industrial processes. Polispec can provide real-time measurements directly on the production line, helping operators control the process and keep products within target specifications.
Yes. Polispec can be installed directly on production lines for continuous process monitoring. Itphotonics supports customers from application assessment through installation, providing the accessories required for system integration.
Yes. Polispec can be used for biomass and energy-related applications.
Yes. Itphotonics offers an extensive calibration database for forage, silage, feed, TMR, and other animal nutrition materials. These calibration models are continuously updated and enriched through data collected from the global network of Polispec users, laboratories, and partners, helping maintain their robustness, representativeness, and alignment with real operating conditions.
It depends on the application and the parameters to be measured. Itphotonics evaluates each project individually and, when necessary, develops custom calibration models using samples and reference data generated directly from the customer’s process.
Calibration models are developed by correlating NIR spectra with laboratory reference analyses performed on representative samples. The process includes statistical validation and model performance assessment.
Calibration models are built using samples that represent the natural variability of the material and laboratory reference analyses generated using reliable reference methods.
Yes. Calibration models can be expanded and improved over time through the addition of new samples and reference data, helping maintain robustness and representativeness.
In many cases, yes. Applicability depends on how well the calibration model represents the variability of the material being analyzed.
If the material has significantly different characteristics, the model can be expanded or adapted using new samples representative of the application.
Calibration performance is evaluated by comparing NIR results with independent laboratory analyses and using statistical indicators commonly adopted in chemometrics.
Yes. Thanks to its in-house chemometrics department, Itphotonics can develop dedicated calibration models for specific applications using samples and reference data provided or generated by the customer. Models are developed, validated, and optimized according to the objectives of the application.
NIR and laboratory results may differ because the comparison depends not only on the instrument, but also on sampling, sample preparation, and the reference method used. In addition, laboratory analyses are often performed on prepared and homogeneous samples, while NIR can measure materials directly under real operating conditions.
NIR (Near Infrared Spectroscopy) is an analytical technique that uses near-infrared light to obtain information about the composition of a material quickly and non-destructively.
NIR technology can measure a wide range of parameters associated with organic molecules, including moisture, protein, fat, fiber, starch, and sugars. Available parameters depend on the application and calibration models.
NIR technology is a rapid, non-destructive analytical technique that provides information about the composition and quality of a material within seconds, without the use of chemical reagents. One of its main advantages is the ability to be used directly on the process or on the real material, enabling real-time monitoring and continuous quality control.
NIR technology is not an elemental analysis technique and cannot directly measure elements or pure inorganic compounds such as metals, salts, or minerals. Performance also depends on calibration quality and the representativeness of the samples used to develop the models.
Minerals and salts do not absorb near-infrared light in the same way organic molecules do. As a result, they can only be estimated indirectly when a correlation with measurable parameters exists.
Polispec uses a dispersive grating and photodiode array architecture, allowing the entire spectrum to be acquired in a single measurement. This design is intended to provide fast acquisition, robustness, and long-term stability.
Reflectance measures light reflected by the sample, while transmittance measures light passing through the material. The most suitable approach depends on the sample type and application.
Yes. One of the main advantages of NIR technology is the ability to provide real-time information directly during production processes or field operations.
It depends on the application. In many cases, NIR is used to reduce the number of laboratory analyses and accelerate operational decisions, while laboratory methods remain the reference for result validation.