Machinery Masters is a marketplace for new and used particle counters and particle analysis systems, the instruments that count, size, and characterise particles in air, liquids, and powders. Particle counters detect and count particles for contamination monitoring in cleanroom air and in injectable products, while particle analysis systems measure the size and distribution of particles for formulation, material, and research work.

Together they support cleanroom classification, injectable product release, and product characterisation to defined regulatory and pharmacopoeial standards. Buyers include QC and validation scientists, formulation and materials researchers, and facilities and procurement teams. Browse verified sellers to compare measurement principle, size range, calibration, condition, and price before you buy.

Shop Particle Counters & Particle Analysis Systems by Type

Particle instruments split into counters that detect and count particles for contamination control and analysers that measure particle size distribution for characterisation. Selecting the correct type keeps the measurement principle, size range, and sample type matched to your application. The main differences between configurations relate to whether the instrument counts or sizes particles, the medium measured, the size range covered, and the standard the measurement must meet.

Airborne (Cleanroom) Particle Counters

Airborne particle counters draw a known volume of air through a laser sensor and count particles by size, classifying cleanrooms and monitoring controlled environments. They are essential for ISO 14644 classification and GMP environmental monitoring, providing the particle data that qualifies and controls cleanroom air quality.

Liquid Particle Counters

Liquid particle counters detect and size particles suspended in a liquid and are used to test injectable and parenteral products for sub-visible particulates. They deliver the counts required by pharmacopoeial methods for injectables, protecting patients by confirming that products meet particulate limits.

Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analysers

Laser diffraction analysers measure the size distribution of particles from the pattern of light they scatter, covering a broad range from submicron to millimetre. Fast and reproducible, they are a workhorse for characterising powders, suspensions, and emulsions in pharmaceutical, chemical, and materials laboratories.

Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) Systems

Dynamic light scattering systems measure the size of nanoparticles and macromolecules from the way scattered light fluctuates as particles move. They are central to characterising proteins, colloids, and nanoparticles in the nanometre range, where diffraction methods do not reach, supporting biopharmaceutical and nanomaterial work.

Nanoparticle Tracking and Analysis Systems

Nanoparticle tracking systems visualise and track individual particles to size and count them in the nanometre range, giving both concentration and size distribution. They suit exosome, virus, and nanoparticle research where particle-by-particle measurement adds detail that ensemble methods cannot.

Image and Microscopy Particle Analysers

Image-based particle analysers capture and measure particle images to report size and shape, adding morphology to size data. They characterise particle shape and detect foreign particulate in pharmaceutical and materials samples, where how a particle looks matters as much as how large it is.

Particle Counters & Particle Analysis Systems Brands on Machinery Masters

Machinery Masters lists particle counters and particle analysis systems from established particle measurement manufacturers so you can source a specific make and model or compare comparable instruments across sellers.

Particle Measuring Systems
TSI
Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions
Beckman Coulter
Malvern Panalytical
Horiba
Micromeritics
Anton Paar
Sympatec
Climet Instruments

Particle Counters & Particle Analysis Systems Applications and Uses

Particle counters and analysis systems are deployed across pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, materials, and research settings wherever particles must be counted for cleanliness or sized for characterisation. Requirements depend on the medium, the size range, and the standard the measurement must meet.

Cleanroom and Environmental Monitoring

Cleanroom and GMP facilities use airborne particle counters to classify and continuously monitor controlled environments to ISO 14644 and regulatory standards. Reliable particle counts confirm that air quality stays within limits, which is fundamental to sterile and controlled manufacturing.

Injectable and Parenteral Particle Testing

Pharmaceutical QC laboratories use liquid particle counters to test injectable and parenteral products for sub-visible particles against pharmacopoeial limits. Accurate particle counting protects patients by confirming that each batch meets its particulate specification before release.

Particle Size Characterisation

Formulation and materials laboratories use laser diffraction and image analysis to characterise the size and shape of powders, suspensions, and emulsions. Particle size affects dissolution, stability, and processability, so this characterisation is central to product and process development.

Nanoparticle and Colloid Research

Biopharmaceutical and nanomaterial researchers use dynamic light scattering and nanoparticle tracking to size and count particles in the nanometre range. Precise nanoscale characterisation supports protein, colloid, and nanoparticle development where size and distribution drive performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a particle counter and a particle size analyser?

A particle counter detects and counts particles by size to assess cleanliness in cleanroom air or in a liquid product, reporting how many particles of each size are present. A particle size analyser measures the full size distribution of a sample to characterise a material. In short, a counter answers how clean something is, while a size analyser answers how large the particles are and how they are distributed.

What is the difference between laser diffraction and dynamic light scattering?

Laser diffraction measures particle size from the angular pattern of scattered light and covers a broad range from sub-micron to millimetres, suiting powders, suspensions, and emulsions. Dynamic light scattering measures size from the time-based fluctuation of scattered light as particles move and specialises in the nanometre range for proteins, colloids, and nanoparticles. Diffraction handles larger particles and wide ranges, while DLS handles the nanoscale.

What are cleanroom and injectable particle counters used for?

Cleanroom particle counters count airborne particles to classify and monitor controlled environments against standards such as ISO 14644 and GMP requirements, confirming that air quality is controlled. Liquid particle counters test injectable and parenteral products for subvisible particles against pharmacopoeial limits. Both protect product quality and patient safety by verifying particle cleanliness at the required standard.

What should I consider when buying a particle counter or analyser?

Decide first whether you need to count particles for cleanliness or size them for characterisation, then match the size range and medium, air, liquid, or powder, to your application. Check the measurement principle, calibration and standards compliance, sample handling, and software. For a used instrument, confirm sensor condition, calibration history, and service support. Confirm the specification with the seller before you buy.

What is the difference between new and used particle counters and analysers?

New instruments arrive with a manufacturer warranty, current software, and full documentation. Used and refurbished counters and analysers offer significant savings from reputable sellers with documented service history and clear provenance. Because particle instruments depend on precise optics and calibration, verify the sensor condition and calibration, and plan to recalibrate against traceable standards before regulated use.

Where can I buy particle counters and analysis systems on Machinery Masters?

Browse Machinery Masters for new and used airborne and liquid particle counters, laser diffraction and dynamic light scattering analysers, and nanoparticle and image analysis systems from verified sellers worldwide. Use the search and filter tools to narrow by type, brand, and specification, then contact sellers directly to request calibration records, service history, and technical specifications before you buy.