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		Technology It is Astron's philosophy to continually improve its products in order to reflect the constant progress in technology. This started with the installation of a high standard of production equipment, in the Zirconium Chemical Plant, such as glass lined, fully jacketed pressure vessels and programmable process controls. Operator training, SPC, and continuous improvement are also considered key elements for a reliable, high quality manufacturing facility. Another important part of this philosophy is to have available the best analytical facilities for our production and research staff. To ensure this Astron has set up a Central Analytical Laboratory in its optical materials production facility in Bayuquan. This laboratory has a wide range of high quality equipment where trace metal analysis to ppb levels, particle sizing, crystal structure and surface morphology can be carried out. The equipment includes ICP, Graphite furnace AAS, UV and IR spectrometers, laser particle sizeing, XRD, XRF, SEM and colour measurement devices. As well as these testing facilities, the laboratory also operates an applications laboratory for thin film materials and ceramic colours. The equipment, combined with an ISO9002 accredited quality control system, ensures that Astron materials are always of the highest calibre.