Automation - down to the nuts and bolts.
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| Title: | Automation - down to the nuts and bolts. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Fix Sr, Robert J., Rowe, Jannell M., McConnell, Bain C. |
| Source: | Journal of Automated Methods & Management in Chemistry. Sep-Oct2000, Vol. 22 Issue 5, p133-138. 6p. |
| Subjects: | Laboratories, Turnkey computer systems, Automation |
| Abstract: | Laboratories that once viewed automation as an expensive luxury are now looking to automation as a solution to increase sample throughput, to help ensure data integrity and to improve laboratory safety. The question is no longer, 'Should we automate?', but 'How should we approach automation?' A laboratory may choose from three approaches when deciding to automate: (1) contract with a third party vendor to produce a turnkey system, (2) develop and fabricate the system in-house or (3) some combination of approaches (1) and (2). The best approach for a given laboratory depends upon its available resources. The first lesson to be learned in automation is that no matter how straightforward an idea appears in the beginning, the solution will not be realized until many complex problems have been resolved. Issues dealing with sample vessel manipulation, liquid handling and system control must be addressed before a final design can be developed. This requires expertise in engineering, electronics, programming and chemistry. Therefore, the team concept of automation should be employed to help ensure success. This presentation discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the three approaches to automation. The development of an automated sample handling and control system for the STAR[sup TM] System focused microwave will be used to illustrate the complexities encountered in a seemingly simple project, and to highlight the importance of the team concept to automation no matter which approach is taken. The STAR[sup TM] System focused microwave from CEM Corporation is an open vessel digestion system with six microwave cells. This system is used to prepare samples for trace metal determination. The automated sample handling was developed around a XYZ motorized gantry system. Grippers were specially designed to perform several different functions and to provide feedback to the control software. Software was written in Visual Basic 5.0 to control the movement of the samples and the operation and monitoring of the STAR[sup TM] microwave. This software also provides a continuous update of the system's status to the computer screen. The system provides unattended preparation of up to 59 samples per run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Automated Methods & Management in Chemistry is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Engineering Source |
| FullText | Links: – Type: pdflink Text: Availability: 0 |
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| Header | DbId: egs DbLabel: Engineering Source An: 3861196 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Automation - down to the nuts and bolts. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Fix+Sr%2C+Robert+J%2E%22">Fix Sr, Robert J.</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rowe%2C+Jannell+M%2E%22">Rowe, Jannell M.</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22McConnell%2C+Bain+C%2E%22">McConnell, Bain C.</searchLink> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Automated+Methods+%26+Management+in+Chemistry%22">Journal of Automated Methods & Management in Chemistry</searchLink>. Sep-Oct2000, Vol. 22 Issue 5, p133-138. 6p. – Name: Subject Label: Subjects Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Laboratories%22">Laboratories</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Turnkey+computer+systems%22">Turnkey computer systems</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Automation%22">Automation</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: Laboratories that once viewed automation as an expensive luxury are now looking to automation as a solution to increase sample throughput, to help ensure data integrity and to improve laboratory safety. The question is no longer, 'Should we automate?', but 'How should we approach automation?' A laboratory may choose from three approaches when deciding to automate: (1) contract with a third party vendor to produce a turnkey system, (2) develop and fabricate the system in-house or (3) some combination of approaches (1) and (2). The best approach for a given laboratory depends upon its available resources. The first lesson to be learned in automation is that no matter how straightforward an idea appears in the beginning, the solution will not be realized until many complex problems have been resolved. Issues dealing with sample vessel manipulation, liquid handling and system control must be addressed before a final design can be developed. This requires expertise in engineering, electronics, programming and chemistry. Therefore, the team concept of automation should be employed to help ensure success. This presentation discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the three approaches to automation. The development of an automated sample handling and control system for the STAR[sup TM] System focused microwave will be used to illustrate the complexities encountered in a seemingly simple project, and to highlight the importance of the team concept to automation no matter which approach is taken. The STAR[sup TM] System focused microwave from CEM Corporation is an open vessel digestion system with six microwave cells. This system is used to prepare samples for trace metal determination. The automated sample handling was developed around a XYZ motorized gantry system. Grippers were specially designed to perform several different functions and to provide feedback to the control software. Software was written in Visual Basic 5.0 to control the movement of the samples and the operation and monitoring of the STAR[sup TM] microwave. This software also provides a continuous update of the system's status to the computer screen. The system provides unattended preparation of up to 59 samples per run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Automated Methods & Management in Chemistry is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=egs&AN=3861196 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1080/146392400445846 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 6 StartPage: 133 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Laboratories Type: general – SubjectFull: Turnkey computer systems Type: general – SubjectFull: Automation Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Automation - down to the nuts and bolts. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Fix Sr, Robert J. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Rowe, Jannell M. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: McConnell, Bain C. IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 09 Text: Sep-Oct2000 Type: published Y: 2000 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 14639246 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 22 – Type: issue Value: 5 Titles: – TitleFull: Journal of Automated Methods & Management in Chemistry Type: main |
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