Automation hardware

The reader is referred to the NCCLS standard AUT03-A, which is described in the following and in particular to the Functional Control Model (Section 4.2), which describes the relationships between the LIS, LAS, and various devices. In this model, and throughout the series of NCCLS automation standards, the term LAS represents the computer system that controls the automation system, not the actual automation hardware. Most often, it is the LAS that has the requisite process control software to support automation. The functional control model, which is depicted in Figure 11-19, supports analytical instruments that may be physically attached to the automation system and analyzers that may not be attached but are still interfaced to the LIS. The model does not give dominance to either the LIS or the LAS, but rather allows for essential information flows in either direction to make the most efficient use of the strengths of each system. 

Automation of solid-phase extraction (SPE) is an important contribution to sample processing. If many samples are to be analyzed in the laboratory, automation provides precise and accurate methods when compared to manual methods. This chapter will discuss three major ideas on automation. First is why automate SPE. Second are the types of automation hardware, and third, how to automate an SPE method is discussed. Finally several case studies will be examined that show the automation process taken from a manual method. 

Automated hardware/software systems to detect biological and chemical agents, explosives/ narcotics, etc. 

Corella, F., Zhou, Z., Song, X., Langevin, M. k Cemy, E. (1997), Multiway decision graphs for automated hardware verification . Formal Methods in System Design 10(1), 7-46. Available as IBM research report RC19676(87224), July 1994. 

Hardware compilation, high-level synthesis, automated hardware synthesis, attribute grammars, formal synthesis methods, attribute grammar evaluators... 

Economakos, G, P akonstantinou, G and Tsanakas, P. (1995) An Attribute Grammar Approach to Hgh-Level Automated Hardware Synthesis. Information and Software Technology, Vol 37, No 9, pp 493-502. 

From temperature sensors up to dosage pumps, most equipment can be connected by the operator just by plugging in adapted cord sets. The whole automation hardware is included in one compact unit. Because of its modularity, the system can grow vdth the requirements of the user - from a small data-logging system up to a complex process control unit. 

Viktors Berstis, The V Compiler Automating Hardware Design , IEEE Design and Test, pages 8-17, April 1989. 

The plant model includes eight different safety systems that are mostly four-redundant. The safety systems are divided into two separate subsystems Reactor Protection System (RPS) and Diverse Protection System (DPS), which are implemented on different automation hardware. The RPS safety systems are automatic depressurisation system (ADS), component cooling water system (CCW), emergency core cooling system (ECC), service water system (SWS) and residual heat removal system (RHR). The DPS safety systems are emergency feed water system (EFW), and main feed water system (MFW). In addition, the AC power system belongs to both RPS and DPS. The model describes the operation logic of the safety systems, the hardware equipment used to implement each system, and the associated failure modes for each piece of equipment. 

RF Technical Physics and Automation Research Institute is ready to production and supply computer industrial tomograph, scanning devices, measuring units, soft-hardware interfaces connecting the measuring units with computer and the adapted program complexes for the industrial tomography. 

An automated system for clinical analysis consists of the instmment (hardware), the reagents, and the experimental conditions (time, temperature, etc) required for each deterrnination. The reagents plus the experimental conditions are sometimes referred to as the chemistry of the system. The chemistry employed is generally similar to that used in manual assays because most automated assay methods have been adapted from the manual ones. However, automated analy2ers rarely afford the flexibiUty of experimental procedure that is possible in manual analysis. 

Separate sample blanking requires an additional analytical channel, and is therefore wasteflil of both reagents and hardware. An alternative approach that is used on several automated systems, eg, Du Pont ACA, BM-Hitachi 704, Technicon RA-1000, is that of bichromatic analysis (5) where absorbance measurements are taken at two, rather than one, wavelength. When the spectral curves for the interference material and the chromogen of the species measured differ sufficiently, this can be an effective technique for reducing blank contributions to assay error. Bichromatic analysis is effective for blanks of both the first and second type. 

Robotics The introduction of robotics has given a new dimension to packaging in that it is now possible to do repetitive tasks with speed and accuracy at notably lower cost than if done by people. The manufacture of robots is well established with corporations of substantial resources providing a quality product with continuity of service, supply, and software support. There is also a specialty industry which is available to supply both accessory hardware and software which are custom designed to handle specific user situations. Economic analysis needs to be done before making the decision as to whether to automate using robots, fixed automation, or the labor of people aided by work aids. 

All commercially available SIMS systems have in common some type of computer automation, an ion source, a high-vacuum environment, and some type of mass spectrometer. While the specifics may vary from system to system, the basic requirements are the same. The hardware feature that tends to distii uish the various systems is the type of mass spectrometer used. These fall into three basic catego-... 

Activation of the blowdown, however, will not depressurize a system fully for a considerable length of time. One of the reasons for considering retaining the possibility of human intervention was that the automated blowdown system was not considered completely reliable at the time because of the limitations of the fire and gas detection hardware. This would have the effect of resulting in increasing the likelihood of spurious blowdown production losses. 

The human factors audit was part of a hazard analysis which was used to recommend the degree of automation required in blowdown situations. The results of the human factors audit were mainly in terms of major errors which could affect blowdown success likelihood, and causal factors such as procedures, training, control room design, team communications, and aspects of hardware equipment. The major emphasis of the study was on improving the human interaction with the blowdown system, whether manual or automatic. Two specific platform scenarios were investigated. One was a significant gas release in the molecular sieve module (MSM) on a relatively new platform, and the other a release in the separator module (SM) on an older generation platform. 

A recent data communications protocol for Building Automation and Control Networks (BACnet), ASHRAE Standard 135-1995, is an important step to ensure that controllers made by different manufacturers can communicate with each other in a simple way, avoiding the expense of additional interface hardware and communication software. 

Laboratory applications of the computer, as evidenced by this symposium, are concentrating more on the result, and less on the hardware required to accomplish that result. A few years ago, a symposium of this type would have concentrated on the automated collection and analysis of data from laboratory instrumentation. Each paper would read like a chapter from "Tom Swift and His Electric Lab Whiz" and would dwell on the details of circuit diagrams and program flow charts. These papers were presented by... 

The minicomputer based system for Instrument automation at Glidden has been prevlousj.y reported (1). since that system predates the availability of low cost personal computers and data acquisition hardware, most of the hardware and software was designed and assembled in-house. ... 

Superior hardware to the traditional apparatus is readily available and in some cases microprocessor intelligence is being built into dedicated modules for say temperature or pumping control. Integration of such units has the potential of full automation. 

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