A cascade impactor sorts airborne particles by aerodynamic size, so each size range can be collected and examined separately. Air moves through a series of nozzles, and particles of different diameters land on separate collection plates. Larger particles land on the early stages, and finer particles reach the later ones. The plates are removable, so the sample from each stage can be taken out for analysis. Together the stages build a particle size distribution profile. Typical work includes aerosol characterization, pharmaceutical testing, environmental monitoring and scientific or industrial research, in the lab or in field studies. The body is stainless steel and compact.