Input analysis, process data filter

The steps in developing such a database are (1) collection of machine and process data and (2) database setup. Input requirements of the software are machine and process specifications, analysis parameters, data filters, alert/alarm limits, and a variety of other parameters used to automate the data-acquisition process. 

In the analysis of vibration data there is often the need to transform the data from the time domain to the frequency domain or, in other words, to obtain a spectrum analysis of the vibration. The original and inexpensive system to obtain this analysis is the tuneable swept-filter analyzer. Because of inherent limitations of this system, this process, despite the use of automated sweep, is time-consuming when analyzing low frequencies. When the spectra data needs to be digitized for computer inputing, there are further limitations in capability of tuneable filter-analysis systems. 

It is now common practice in our laboratory to assay parathyroid hormone by a fully automated system in batches of 60 samples with appropriate controls at intervals of 20 samples. Patient samples are input at the appropriate dilution, this process taking approximately 1 hr. On the reagent addition unit, labeled antibody is added, as well as plasma to standards and buffer to plasma samples. Reagent addition takes 10-15 min. After incubation at 4 for 72 hr, the assay tubes are allowed to adjust to room temperature (the Kemtek 3000 does not have means of refrigeration), and immunoadsorbent is added, with a 10 sec delay between each addition. When addition is complete (30-40 min), filtration is commenced with a cycle that takes 50 sec for its five simultaneous transfers plus washing. The filters are dried and counted. It should be noted that this procedure differs from the standard immunoradiometric technique in that it is the radioactivity not bound to antigen that is counted. The data therefore resemble those derived from a classical radioimmunoassay and can be processed by the Kemtek computer using a polynomial cubic analysis. ... 

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