Compact and Ultra Fast ARL SMS-2500 Automated Metals Analyzer from Thermo Scientific

Topics Covered

Introduction:
A Proven and Evolving Automation Solution:
Increased Performance:
Increased efficiency:
Better Analysis Dependability and Quality:
A very rapid payback:
Latest industrial robotics technology:
Tightly integrated sample preparation
An open architecture for sample preparation:
Easy Integration into Specific Environment:
Laboratory Applications:
Multi-Purpose and Entirely Customizable:
Easy Sample Registration and Introduction
More Reliable, Accurate and Reproducible Analyses:
Options:
Conclusion:
About Thermo Fisher Scientific - Elemental Analyzers

Introduction

The ARL SMS-2500 metal analyzer from Thermo Scientific is a compact and ultra fast system that implements advanced automation technologies to surpass the expectations of present steelworks laboratories. The system is designed according to ISO 9001-2000 standards. Thermo Scientific is well-positioned to support laboratory workflow automation solutions.

A Proven and Evolving Automation Solution

The ARL SMS-2500 is a spectrometer automation solution and is the result of more than two decades of expertise in supplying laboratory workflow automation solutions. The system is built on the Thor automation platform, which is a common feature in all Thermo Scientific SMS products.

Increased Performance

The ARL SMS-2500 system is also the result of feedback and experience of approximately 500 robotized Thermo Scientific X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and optical emission (OES) spectrometers across the globe. These automated XRF spectrometers and ARL 3460 and ARL 4460 metals analyzers are popular for their high performance, durability and reliability in iron and steel applications. The latest automation solution, ARL SMS-2500 system, offers more sample turnaround time savings via new sample processing capabilities. It is a suitable tool to improve production methods and quality control in the steel industry.

Increased efficiency

With the help of ARL SMS-2500 system, samples can be prepared and examined at a rapid rate without any operators’ assistance. This results in reduced operating and analysis expenditures.

• Results can be obtained quickly to enhance production turnover
• More number of samples can be processed; eliminates production bottlenecks
• Automatic instrument monitoring functions guarantees that the performance of the instrument remains always under control
• Better standards further cut down operating costs
• Qualified laboratory personnel can be freed from routine duties

Better Analysis Dependability and Quality

The ARL SMS-2500 system removes the causes of measurement errors, reduces chemical analysis variation and exploits the analytical performance of process control spectrometers available from Thermo Scientific. All samples are processed under strictly reproducible conditions after following the defined procedures and set up. Errors, human variables and subjective factors errors impacting analysis results are completely eliminated. Intricate samples can be studied without compromising the performance, and results obtained are more precise. Sample repeats help in saving time. The system also supports difficult analysis procedures.

A very rapid payback

Low-cost analyses ensures a faster return on investment (ROI) which is generally less than 12 months and this applies for both the spectrometer and automatic system. More efficient quality control tools and smoother production flows further reduce production costs.

Latest industrial robotics technology

The ARL SMS-2500 system is integrated with a FANUC robot. Metallic samples weighing up to 3 kg can be moved at rapid speeds with ± 0.03 mm repeatability. Since the ARL SMS-2500 system robot employs brushless AC-Servo motors and internal cabling, only minimum maintenance is required. When the unit is first turned on, the mechanical origin is permanently established by the absolute encoder technology. Short distances between various components ensure quick operation and prompt service and maintenance

Tightly integrated sample preparation

In order to save time, the ARL SMS-2500 system robot directly accesses the sample preparation machine. This removes the need for electromechanical sample transfer systems, thus resulting in reduced sample turnaround times and increased uptime.

An open architecture for sample preparation

The new Haas Mini Mill integrated with Thermo Scientific ARL PrepControl and ARL EasyPrep software is an advanced milling machine that is specifically designed to promote high quality, reliable and reproducible sample preparation.

Easy Integration into Specific Environment

The automated metals analyzer is easy to install and suitable for centralized laboratories and production shop floors. It communicates with laboratory and process PCs through simple interfaces, covering the entire range of potential applications and offering all the essential functionality.

Laboratory Applications

Since all the samples are introduced in the ARL SMS-2500 system instead in the sample preparation machine, interfacing to automatic or manual air tubes becomes quite easy. In addition, incoming samples can be briefly stored in the SMS system and can then be processed depending on their importance so as to reduce the difficulty of automated air tubes systems. This aspect helps in maximizing the performance and costs of huge automated laboratories and at the same time helps in minimizing commissioning times.

Multi-Purpose and Entirely Customizable

The ARL SMS-2500 system has excellent customization capabilities to cover a wide range of applications. Every SMS is configured and customized according to specific requirements. The system is an intelligent multitasking system as each component of the system, i.e. SMS system, spectrometer and preparation machine, operate concurrently and independently of one another. For maintenance or back-up purposes, the ARL SMS-2500 system and the sample preparation machine can be operated manually.

Easy Sample Registration and Introduction

Various options are available to streamline sample registration and introduction and also for additional sample processing like radioactivity measurement, vision system and sample labeling.

ARL SMS-2500 system with vision and sample labeling options.

More Reliable, Accurate and Reproducible Analyses

The automatic system has high-quality components and the SMS software has been subjected to elaborate tests before any new release. Furthermore, network and point-to-point lines automatically transmit the analysis results to up to 18 addressees according to their particular requirements. After analysis, the production samples are arranged and filed. For further manual examination, up to 10 samples can be filed chronologically on a chute. An alarm is triggered when the chute becomes full.

Options

A variety of options is provided to meet specific requirements.

• Sample registration through terminal or network; bar code readers
• Support of up to 5 different sample shapes
• Temporary storage of up to 16 or 32 incoming production samples waiting to be processed
• Additional digital signals for communication with external customers devices
• ARL QuantoShelter system for in-situ analysis
• Sample radioactivity detection
• Remote control for the automated ARL metals analyzer
• Automatic re-preparation of metallic samples which cannot be analyzed
• A vision system to choose the best spark positions for complex samples and reject them without analysis trial when they fail to meet the minimum surface quality
• Labeling of production samples either n the analysis surface or on their back

Conclusion

In addition, an X-ray fluorescence version is available for automation of the ARL 9900 and ARL 9800 XRF spectrometers. Other automation products from Thermo Scientific are designed to reduce development and testing efforts, allow maintenance work and increase the synergy between all applications.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific - Elemental Analyzers

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science. Their mission is to enable their customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. With revenues of $12 billion, they have approximately 39,000 employees and serve customers within pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs, universities, research institutions and government agencies, as well as in environmental and process control industries.

They create value for their key stakeholders through three premier brands, Thermo Scientific, Fisher Scientific and Unity™ Lab Services, which offer a unique combination of innovative technologies, convenient purchasing options and a single solution for laboratory operations management. their products and services help our customers solve complex analytical challenges, improve patient diagnostics and increase laboratory productivity. Visit www.thermofisher.com.

For over 75 years, their Ecublens site in Switzerland has been a worldwide supplier of spectrochemical instrumentation to such major industries as steel, transportation, cement, construction, food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, academic research, petroleum and electronics. They offer unsurpassed capabilities in the areas of optical emission (OE), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and automation of spectrometers. Their product line includes:

• OE spectrometers ideal for use in quality control for the direct, elemental analysis of solid metals. More on OES at www.thermoscientific.com/oes
• XRF instruments offering complete systems for the analysis of solids, liquids and powders. An XRD system integrated inside the same XRF instrument allows the determination of the phase content in many minerals and materials. More on XRF/XRD at www.thermoscientific.com/xray
• XRD providing cost-effective solutions for high-quality powder diffraction analyses and can also be a complementary technology to XRF

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Thermo Fisher Scientificr.

For more information on this source, please visit Thermo Fisher Scientific