1. How do InMotion™ Autosamplers contribute to increased productivity in the lab?
InMotion Autosamplers are more than just sample changers. When developing the InMotion platform, laboratory workflows and handling needs were thoroughly evaluated across all segments, including pharmaceutical labs. The obvious advantage to an InMotion Autosampler is the number of samples that can be analyzed at once. Other features, such as the LED status light on the top of the towers, help increase productivity by notifying an operator if the autosampler is: still in operation, ready for more samples, or needs operator interaction.
2. Describe how the InMotion Autosamplers eliminate cross-contamination.
From left to right: METTLER TOLEDO RM40 Refractometer with InMotion Flex, T90 Titrator with InMotion Pro and DM45 Density Meter with InMotion Max.Safety and thorough cleaning is guaranteed for any process thanks to dedicated hardware and flexible programming. The PowerShower™ uses high power streams of solvent to rinse off titration components as they exit a sample. Further cleaning and sensor conditioning can be achieved with dedicated rinsing and conditioning beakers which can be used, drained, and refilled according to intervals.
3. How can using an InMotion Autosampler make for a safer laboratory?
A wide variety of pumps are available to attach to the autosampler to help add hazardous reagents and drain waste all but eliminating operator interaction. The CoverUp™ system helps protect operators from odiferous reagents, such as glacial acetic acid by removing a lid just before titrations and placing it back on the beaker when finished.
4. Discuss the space consolidation benefit provided by InMotion Autosamplers.
When developing the InMotion Autosamplers, width was a major concern knowing the limited bench space in some laboratories. The InMotion Max is only 57 cm wide, but can handle up to 303 liquid samples or 113 samples for direct titration. Pumps can be magnetically stacked on the autosampler and increasing connectivity (to additional peripherals) is achieved by inserting option boards so that even when expanding the function of the autosampler, no additional space is needed. The depth of all InMotion Autosamplers is small enough to be suitable for nearly every fume hood, too.
5. How does the new SmartSample™ workflow help increase efficiency and eliminate errors?
As workflows were analyzed, we realized that one of the most common issues with handling large numbers of samples was transcription and ordering errors. With SmartSample, the sample is identified at the balance during weighing and all information, including the weight, is wirelessly transferred to the RFID tag on the beaker. Efficiency is greatly increased by only having a single point of operator interaction. Transcription and ordering errors are eliminated, because the sample information is always on the tag with the actual sample. The process can be validated and as the RFID tag is programmed, the same information can be printed for compliancy if needed, making SmartSample perfect for pharmaceutical labs.
Visit www.mt.com/InMotion for more information and watch the SmartSample demonstration video at www.mt.com/SmartSample.
Matthew Eby has worked in the METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory group for over 10 years. Previous roles include Application Chemist, Technical Support Specialist and Instrument Sales Specialist. Matt is currently the Product Manager for Titrators in Schwerzenbach, Switzlerand and will soon take on a new role as Technical and Application Support Manager for the North American division. Before joining METTLER TOLEDO, he worked as a Quality Control Chemist for Aventis.