Automation

Rudolph Research Analytical - Automation

Automate your Density, Specific Gravity, Refractive Index, Brix, Optical Rotation, Specific Rotation, CIE L*a*b*, Gardner, ABS, %T, Cobalt, and pH analysis with Rudolph’s Autoflex.

You can perform all the above analyses in 1-7 minutes per sample using less than 12ml. This is great for analysing a large number of samples.

From sample loading to cleaning all are fully automated allowing the instrument to be unattended.

Why Our Automation?

Any Sample Vials: Test Tubes, Boston Rounds, 1 oz, ½ oz, and we can customize the rack according to your sample vials.
Versatile rack configurations: Heated and unheated on the same carousel.
The self-cleaning needle prevents cross-contamination by cleaning both the inside and outside surfaces of the needle between each sample. In contrast, most commercially available automation systems only flush the inside of the sample needle, neglecting to clean the outside. As a result, small amounts of the previous sample may contaminate new samples.
SMART TECHNOLOGY™ automatically changes pump speed ranging from thin to high viscosity samples up to 36,000 mPa-s (cP).
If you have an urgent sample, it allows interruption to the daily measurement routine.
Highly configurable Method Selection: Suction Mode, Pressure Mode, 3 variable rinse selections, and endless drying time options.
Low solvent level sensing: The three solvent bottles are equipped with a non-contact low-level sensor that alerts the user with a message when the solvent level is low.
Sample return feature: Allows 95% of the original sample to be returned to the sample vial.
Rudolph offers a 20-year commitment to ensuring your instrument remains fully operational, making the long-term cost of ownership one of the lowest in the laboratory market. As of the publication date of this document, no other laboratory instrument manufacturer provides a similar guarantee of service and technical support for 20 years.
Windows OS and versatile communication capability.

How to Select an Automation System

The differences in each model are mainly in max viscosity suction mode, sample movement methods, and cleaning processes. The code ‘D’ indicates the ‘Drawer’ option (2 samples capacity, picture on the left) while ‘C’ indicates the ‘Container’ option (up to 140 samples capacity, picture on the right). You may also choose optional accessories in the heated rack and the automatic barcode/label scanner.

Autoflex Models

R187D & R187C

This is the entry model. It only has the standard suction mode for sample loading.

Max viscosity suction mode: 3000 mPa·s
Pressure gas displacement mode: No
Hybrid sample loading: No
Air drying: No
Sample Agitation: No
Cleaning solvent only rinse with the next sample
Low solvent alert: No
Min sample volume: 10mL
Typical measurement time: 1-4 minutes

R287D & R287C

This model has the internal air pump for drying and sample agitation mode. R287 also has the option to use up to 3 rinse solvents, full needle washing and drying, and a highly configurable rinsing and drying process. It also has the low solvent alert feature to notify the user to fill the solvent containers. It also has low sample volume uses.

Max viscosity suction mode: 3000 mPa·s
Pressure gas displacement mode: No
Hybrid sample loading: No
Air drying: Internal air pump
Sample Agitation: Yes
Rinse solvents up to 3
Low solvent alert: Yes
Min sample volume: 2mL
Typical measurement time: 3-7 minutes

R387D & R387C

This model has 3 sample load modes: Gas Displacement, Suction, and Hybrid. The max viscosity suction mode of 36,000 mPa·s makes it great for highly volatile samples.

Max viscosity suction mode: 36,000 mPa·s
Pressure gas displacement mode: Yes
Hybrid sample loading: Yes
Air drying: Internal air pump
Sample Agitation: Yes
Rinse solvents up to 3
Low solvent alert: Yes
Min sample volume: 2mL
Typical measurement time: 3-7 minutes

Sample Containers

Rudolph can make a custom sample rack or drawer of up to 140 samples, according to your bottle or vial dimensions. Just send them the bottles or vials. It is worth noting that the maximum amount of bottles/vials per rack varies according to the bottle dimensions.

Choosing the Parameters

The Autoflex is just a carousel or drawer with automatic sample loading and cleaning. It uses a Density Meter for the default display. If you need Optical Rotation or Specific Rotation, a Polarimeter is needed. If you need Refractive Index or Brix analysis, a Refractometer has to be added. Colormeter and pH analysis are also available.

Optional Accessories

Barcode / Label Reader

Data collection like sample IDs can be automated using a built-in barcode reader with a vial spinner. The sample vial can be placed at any rotation because the vial spinner will spin the bottle until the barcode is scanned. A handheld barcode/label reader is also available but not automated.

You can use any barcode format: PDF 417, 2D Matrix, UPC, or any barcode your lab chooses.

The barcode is logged as the Sample ID, measurements are taken, and the data is ready for export to a USB drive, network server, LIMS, or any data storage system.

Heated Rack or Drawer

This option makes heating crude wax or viscous samples from 30-90°C available. Heating is controlled by the measurement method.

There are 2 heated carousel options:

20 heated and 30 non-heated sample slots for a total of 50 slots.
40 heated and 10 non-heated sample slots. Allowing independent temperature control for 20 slots and different temperature control for the other 20 slots.

Summary

First, you must choose the Autoflex models depending on the sample handling and rinse/cleaning process. Then you have to choose between a Carousel or Drawer.

Then select your sample bottle/vial as Rudolph will make the custom rack for it. Also, choose your other Rudolph’s instruments such as Polarimeter and Refractometer depending on the parameters you want to analyse.

Lastly, you can choose the heated rack and barcode/label scanner as the optional accessories.