Given the number of spell components that are some for of dust or powder it would be very useful if there was some form of device that could crush a source item into a component powder item. i.e.
Apply device to gem, get gem dust.
Apply device to smelted iron get iron powder
Apply device to ruhbarb leaf get ruhbarb leaf powder.
Historically i would have thought some kind of mortal and pestle would have been used to perform this kind of alchemy.
Duranamir
Crushing device
There is actually a mortar and pestle in game, and I think the new features section for the magical forge mentioned a crushing device, I do not know if the later has been implemented yet though.
May you find the knowledge you seek. If you find something else, it is still knowledge, and as such, still a gain.