HEADHUNTER

What is the Headhunter SRS? 

The Headhunter SRS isolates trichome heads larger than its narrow perforations from botanical and non-botanical contaminants. With vibration, airflow, or brushing, it also aids in decapitating heads from capitate stalks. Its narrow slots allow smaller trichome stalks to pass through, while retaining particles larger than the slit opening on top of the screen. Pre-sieving IS NECESSARY for pure head collections since larger contaminates will also remain on top of the Headhunter sieve.

Constructed from thin, easily cut, and tearable 304 stainless steel, the sieve requires careful handling and a 40 mesh or smaller backing screen with unobstructed openings.

Current manufacturing produces 30 x 30 cm sheets with openings typically within 10% of specification. However, up to 10% of perforations may exceed the specified opening size by up to 20%.  The size of the openings is not consistent across the sheet; however, most of the openings error on the smaller side of the specification. The key to success with the Headhunter sieve is sizing and pre-cleaning the material prior to using the sieve.  Minimize all sieving time, trying to keep the time for sieving less than 2 minutes per sieve.  

What is the perforation size for the production Headhunter SRS? 

The requested manufacturing specification is 75x650µm openings that are capsule shaped.  The screen has approximately 44% open area.

Do I need to use other screens or techniques to produce upper 90% pure head collections?  

The Headhunter SRS is designed for producing pure trichome head collections. It can achieve 99% purity from clean input lacking contaminants similar in size to the desired trichome heads. However, if your input material contains such particles, additional screens or techniques will be required for upper 90% purity. Utilizing airflow and suction with the sieve can aid in separating material, and static tech offers another method for removing larger contaminants.

Pre-size material using a series of sieves in the 200-45µm range before SRS use. The SRS primarily provides final purification, aiming for >98% head purity by removing stalks. Larger contaminants remain on top and require separate removal. Longer sieve times may allow desired-sized heads to pass through larger openings.

The Headhunter sieve will typically be more difficult to damage if used with a backing screen to support the sheet.  A 40 mesh or larger opening (smaller mesh size) stainless steel screen is the recommended backing screen for use with the Headhunter.

Can I buy the Headhunter SRS in a frame?

Currently the Headhunter is only sold as a raw sheet. The purchaser or distributors for the sieve will need to supply the frame or way to implement the sieve in their process.  The Headhunter SRS can be placed into a round sieve frame (aka The Guillotine), large sized sanitary fittings, a free 3D printed frame (free downloads available here), or a frame of your own design.  

I thought you said static tech is not needed with the Headhunter SRS?

The claim is that you don't need high voltage power supplies or hand static (glove tech), to produce 99%+ collections with the Headhunter SRS.  There are several non-glove techniques that can be employed to use a more automated non-power supply version of static tech.

Why do I see different patterns posted on-line for the Headhunter SRS?

During the development and manufacturing of the sieve several manufacturing methods and sieve styles were produced.  Eventually two manufactures were identified that are capable of producing the sieve.  The original staggered pattern sieves were produced in the USA from 316 stainless steel.  The column pattered production sieve is manufactured from Japanese 304 stainless steel sheets that are perforated in China.  While there is a big push to produce products manufactured in the USA, the Chinese screens are the more economical choice and will allow more people access to this technology.

Will the SRS damage my trichome head?

Anytime a trichome head is handled, there is a chance of mechanical damage.  When a trichome head is exposed to any force there is a chance of mechanical failure of the glandular wall or leakage at the abscission point.  In addition, there are several other forces that can cause damage; such as, mechanical compression.  An intact cannabis trichome head is essentially a pressurized resin-filled structure surrounded by a thin cuticle. If a trichome head encounters an opening that is smaller than the head diameter, the head may deform elastically and pass through, become temporarily lodged, or rupture if sufficient force is applied. For example, a 90 μm trichome head encountering a 75 μm opening may experience substantial deformation before passing through or being retained. The likelihood depends heavily on factors such as; applied force, vibration intensity, material temperature, trichome maturity.  Higher force/vacuum strength/vibration can compromise the integrity of the trichome head with any mesh screen or sieving process. The stage of trichome head maturity, and the growing conditions can significantly impact trichome head glandular wall thickness, pore size in the wall, and permeability.  At cold temperatures, trichome heads tend to be more stable and less deformable (when working at cold temperatures, do not expose the material to warmer temperatures, condensation will occur and this will make successful sieving separations difficult.  

The SRS alone will not damage your trichome head, but used with excessive force some damage could occur.  The SRS is designed to help shear any trichome head that is still attached to the stalk.  I have used various versions of the SRS over the past few years, and I have found with gentle vacuum and vibration used for minimum run times, at temperatures appropriate for the material, there has been little to no need to use solvents to clean the sieve.  This indicates little to no leaked resin and insignificant head damage.

Where can I purchase a Headhunter Stalk Removal Sieve?

USA: Lowtemp Industries 

CANADA: Hashtek

Worldwide shipping excluding the USA and Canada: The Pollinator Company

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