Balances, robotic station

Sample quantitation is a difficult operation to automate. Weighing Is In fact an off-line operation that cannot be readily Implemented by analyser modules with the exception of robot stations. On the other hand, electronic balances do allow the measured weight to be passed on to the analyser or Instrument microprocessor. In this case, the operation Is essentially manual as only data transfer Is automated. The quantitation of solid samples can be based on ... 

The balance is the most important module of a robotic station in dealing with solid samples. The only way of automating weighing is by using a robot or workstation. The balance must be connected to the PEC and be accessible to the robot arm, which should be furnished with a special end-effector or hand (a gripper hand) and a powder-pouring device (usually vibration based). Weight-based... 

Figure 7. Configuration of the materials durability test system 1, Zymark robot arm 2, Mettler balance 3, blotting station 4, capping station 5, specimen rack 6, water bath 7, block oven 8, vacuum oven 9, freezing chamber 10, NDT station 11, automated micrometer, and 12, washing station. O, specimen holder.

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