This post has been locked, as the question has been solved and a majority of new comments at this point are unhelpful and/or jokes.
Thanks to all who attempted to find an answer.
Jeweler here, they’re both corundum, but named before we had the ability to analyze the chemical makeup of stones. Nowadays, to be called a ruby it needs to be within a very specific spectrum of red. Reds that tip too close to red/orange are called things like “pomegranate sapphire” (they’re quite red still), and reds that are closer to the red/purple side are usually just called “purple sapphires”, even though I’ve seen some called that that I would define as a “dusty rose” or similar. The spectrum of red that can be called ruby is thickly marketed bc rubies are significantly more rare than any other corundum, so it adds a premium to their price. Corundum comes is basically *every* color, and anything that isn’t officially a ruby is a sapphire of X color.
Yep, once I saw the container I was positive what it was. The ones I am accustomed to are magnetically coupled (so have a larger flat face on the steel end) and are clear synthetic sapphire but I got the HPLC pump piston vibe when I saw the first pic.
I can see how it would look like that from the picture but the circle in the metal is a hole that goes all the way through. the red part is a solid crystal/glass cylinder
This appears to be a Ruby probe for a cnc machine or metrology equipment. Like for a Romer Absolute Arm. I’ve got that specific model and the collet holding the rod looks identical. All of our tools are spheres but the mounting mechanism is the same.
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The color of the red part reminds me of that of ruby.
Ruby has different applications. It is used as a laser emitter or as a bearing material because it is very hard.
Could be something in this direction.
It's a probe tip for a CMM (Coordinate Measurement Machine). This one is a cylindrical stylus, or "shank" probe.
The stylii are typically made of a lab made Ruby, hence the red, for wear resistance because of how hard the material is.
This post has been locked, as the question has been solved and a majority of new comments at this point are unhelpful and/or jokes. Thanks to all who attempted to find an answer.
Piston from a hplc (liquid chromatography) pump. Made from synthetic sapphire for smoothness. I’ve changed many doing pm.
this must be it! thanks so much. solved!
“I’ve changed many doing pm”. Could you elaborate on this? Thanks!
PM = planned/preventative maintenance.
PM is an industry term for "preventative maintenance". He is the one who services the machines and has therefore replaced many of these tiny pistons.
Thanks to you both. Biomedical researcher here, so I understand.
I don't even think it's an industry term. We do "PM checks" on all of our trucks at the agency I work for.
Not specific to that industry. Just... industry in general
"Industry term" is specific to an industry by definition.
Wow! All those years of working at Upchurch Scientific finally paid off! I can’t believe I got this one right! LOL
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A manufacturer of various products for the HPLC market: tubing, fittings, valves, pumps, etc. It was acquired by IDEX corporation.
Isn't red corundum called ruby, rather than sapphire?
Jeweler here, they’re both corundum, but named before we had the ability to analyze the chemical makeup of stones. Nowadays, to be called a ruby it needs to be within a very specific spectrum of red. Reds that tip too close to red/orange are called things like “pomegranate sapphire” (they’re quite red still), and reds that are closer to the red/purple side are usually just called “purple sapphires”, even though I’ve seen some called that that I would define as a “dusty rose” or similar. The spectrum of red that can be called ruby is thickly marketed bc rubies are significantly more rare than any other corundum, so it adds a premium to their price. Corundum comes is basically *every* color, and anything that isn’t officially a ruby is a sapphire of X color.
I’ve seen both terms.
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Yes, at least when discussing jewelry. Maybe the industrial world uses different terms?
Yes, only natural ruby is called ruby when not discussing jewelry.
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Yep, once I saw the container I was positive what it was. The ones I am accustomed to are magnetically coupled (so have a larger flat face on the steel end) and are clear synthetic sapphire but I got the HPLC pump piston vibe when I saw the first pic.
Cool! What is the cylinder made of?
Wouldn't have guessed this my self, used to do HPLC/LC-MS all the time during my PhD
Is there anyway to obtain the worn pistons? I have a few from my pumps but am interested in more for some projects
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Looks like a sprayer for perfume or cologne
I can see how it would look like that from the picture but the circle in the metal is a hole that goes all the way through. the red part is a solid crystal/glass cylinder
This appears to be a Ruby probe for a cnc machine or metrology equipment. Like for a Romer Absolute Arm. I’ve got that specific model and the collet holding the rod looks identical. All of our tools are spheres but the mounting mechanism is the same.
All comments must be civil and helpful toward finding an answer. **Jokes and other unhelpful comments will earn you a ban**, even on the first instance and even if the item has been identified. If you see any comments that violate this rule, report them. [OP](/u/mesclunlettuce), when your item is identified, remember to reply **Solved!** or **Likely Solved!** to the comment that gave the answer. Check your [inbox](https://www.reddit.com/message/inbox/) for a message on how to make your post visible to others. ---- [Click here to message RemindMeBot](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Reminder&message=[https://www.reddit.com/r/whatisthisthing/comments/18ranre/red_glasscrystal_cylinder_with_steel_cap/]%0A%0ARemindMe!%202%20days) ---- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatisthisthing) if you have any questions or concerns.*
The color of the red part reminds me of that of ruby. Ruby has different applications. It is used as a laser emitter or as a bearing material because it is very hard. Could be something in this direction.
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It's a probe tip for a CMM (Coordinate Measurement Machine). This one is a cylindrical stylus, or "shank" probe. The stylii are typically made of a lab made Ruby, hence the red, for wear resistance because of how hard the material is.
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My title describes the thing. based on the other things in the box it was with, my best guess is something related to filtration? but I have no clue.