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[June 2001]
Round the Clock Operation for Autosampler
The new Mastersizer 2000 Autosampler from Malvern Instruments (Malvern, Worcs, England) is designed to enable the automatic and reliable processing of wet or dry samples. With a capacity of up to 36 60ml sample pots, the unit is equipped with an automatic barcode reader that allows it to recognise the contents of each pot and automatically apply the appropriate measurement protocol.
Two different additives may be injected, as required, to condition the sample and ensure perfect dispersion. Dry powders, suspensions and emulsions are said to be all handled equally well.
The user has the facility to create or schedule measurement SOPs for each individual pot loaded. Offline scheduling allows preparation of sample trays in advance for uninterrupted Autosampler operation.
Flexibility is maintained with the facility to instantly reschedule urgent samples. If the Autosampler lid is raised in order to remove or add samples, the system simple re-scans the tray contents and is operational again in less than a minute, working to a revised schedule.
The Autosampler continues to recognise previously programmed samples, even months after initial programming, so repeated programming is unnecessary. In addition, its database facility has a powerful search, sort and filter utility that allows access to all records.
The rate of throughput of samples, including the cleaning cycle, is five minutes per sample. This means that the system is capable of measuring 108 samples in a nine-hour period.
ENDS