Instrument automation

Although iastmmentation is discussed ia many of the analytical articles, there are only a few places ia the Eniyclopedia where it is the primary emphasis (see Analytical methods, hyphenated instruments Automated instrumentation). However, articles relating to materials used either ia or as iastmmeatal compoaeats such as eaergy sources (see Lasers), sampling devices (see Eiber optics), and detectors (see Biosensors Photodetectors SsENSORs) abound. 

The computer has become an accepted part of our daily lives. Computer applications in applied polymer science now are focussing on modelling, simulation, robotics, and expert systems rather than on the traditional subject of laboratory instrument automation and data reduction. The availability of inexpensive computing power and of package software for many applications has allowed the scientist to develop sophisticated applications in many areas without the need for extensive program development. 

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. ... 

At present, and in the immediate future, one can anticipate the continual vying of one manufacturer with another over relatively minor improvements, with possibly significant advances in instrumentation, automation, and hygiene. However, several easy-to-clean high-output presses are currently manufactured. Most Kikisui models are self-cleaning and allow for the entire turret area to be filled with solvents and cleaned by running the press. 

Laboratory automation has traditionally meant laboratory instrument automation. While the automated collection and analysis of data from laboratory instruments is still a significant part of laboratory automation, in the modern automated laboratory it is only a part of a larger perspective with the focus on task automation. Simply stated, the goal should be to automate tasks, not instruments. 

This expanded view of task automation includes new capabilities in the the traditional area of instrument automation and in the somewhat newer related field of robotics. In addition it includes a number of functions which are not new to the office and business environment but have only recently become readily available in the laboratory. These are tools such as data base management, scientific text processing, and electronic mail and document transfer. One way to improve technical productivity Is by giving the scientist more time to do science. This can be accomplished through improved efficiency In the office, communication, and information retrieval functions which must be performed as well as by allowing science to be done In new and more efficient ways through the use of computers. 

The explosive growth in the availability of computer tools In the laboratory requires a new look at the concept of laboratory automation. Much larger gains in the efficiency and effectiveness of research can be realized by automating tasks rather than by simply automating instruments. Research is done by researchers, not by instruments. Instruments are Just one of many tools which can be used by the researcher. This paper will attempt to give an overview of instrument automation as the traditional view of laboratory automation, and extend this concept to the automation of the total task of research. 

It is interesting to trace the development of instrument automation over the relatively brief period of the past ten to fifteen years. Early in this period, a truly automated instrument was a rare and expensive item built around a costly dedicated minicomputer. Automated data collection and analysis from any instrument which was not automated at the factory was usually accomplished by digitizing the data and storing it on a transportable media such as paper tape. These data were then delivered and fed to a timeshare system of some sort on which the data reduction program ran and which printed a report and sometimes a plot of the data. Often a considerable time delay occured between the generation and the analysis of the data. The scientist was at the mercy of the computer elite who could implement his data logger and provide the necessary computer resources to analyze his data. The process was expensive, both in time and in money. 

The most recent extension of instrument automation has come with the availability of practical laboratory robotics systems. These systems can be as easy to implement as the personal computer data system and extend automation beyond control, data collection and... 

Automation of today s laboratory should no longer be viewed simply as instrument automation. The modern scientist is an office worker as well as a technical worker and must be given the computer tools to allow the integration of the total laboratory task. The yields to the companies which recognize this will be significant Improvements in both the efficiency and effectiveness of their research function. 

What are the criteria for instrument automation control and data acquisition ... 

Filtrona Instruments Automation Ltd, Rockingham Drive, Lindford Wood East. Milton Keynes MK40 6LY, UK. 

The automation of the HPGPC/Viscometer system is achieved by interfacing the differential refractometer (DRI) and viscosity detector to a microcomputer for data acquisition. The raw data subsequently, are transferred to a minicomputer (DEC PDP-ll/HiI) for storage and data analysis. Details of the instrument automation are given elsewhere.(6)... 

Genomics, functional genomics and proteomics, with their enabfing technologies (biological and biochemical methods, instrumentation, automation techniques and databases), are revolutionizing research in biology and pharmaceutical and medical fields. 

Many examples exist for the integration of robotic mechanisms with analysis instruments. Automation is quite successful for sample preparation stages, such as SPE applications for pharmacokinetic studies and for the queuing of samples for instrument analysis. In many cases, significant savings are realized in human labor expense and the reduction of routine operations. Furthermore, consistent robotic operations afford increased precision via reproducibility of operations from sample to sample compared to manual operations. 

Static headspace extraction is also known as equilibrium headspace extraction or simply as headspace. It is one of the most common techniques for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of volatile organic compounds from a variety of matrices. This technique has been available for over 30 years [9], so the instrumentation is both mature and reliable. With the current availability of computer-controlled instrumentation, automated analysis with accurate control of all instrument parameters has become routine. The method of extraction is straightforward A sample, either solid or liquid, is placed in a headspace autosampler (HSAS) vial, typically 10 or 20 mL, and the volatile analytes diffuse into the headspace of the vial as shown in Figure 4.1. Once the concentration of the analyte in the headspace of the vial reaches equilibrium with the concentration in the sample matrix, a portion of the headspace is swept into a gas chromatograph for analysis. This can be done by either manual injection as shown in Figure 4.1 or by use of an autosampler. 

Instrument automation. Designed to speed up the tasks of sample preparation and analysis. 

A fully-automated lab may need to contain both types of systems. For instrument automation systems it is important to note that not all instruments (and experiments) can or should be interfaced to a computer. There are some whose accuracy or utility can be impaired by adding an interface. With some instruments there is also the problem of having to go inside the device to gain access to an analog signal, that could void any equipment warranty. One of the choices you may have to face is the early obsolescence of equipment due to the need for easier, and supported, computer-to-instrument interfacing. 

Instrument automation may be required to provide us with more powerful techniques of data analysis and data handling using statistical techniques that would be otherwise too time consuming to be practical or computer graphics to gain greater flexibility in data analysis. Small data base systems of spectral libraries can help address a problem of faster component identification. 

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