SP2000 Series
Turnkey or custom-made automation platforms
Skalar’s sophisticated SP2000 Series robotic platforms offer dedicated and flexible automation solutions for routine analytical testing.
Routine analytical testing has never been this easy!
The SP2000 Series automation solutions are available for a variety of applications including: BOD, COD, test kit applications, pH, conductivity (EC), alkalinity and other titrations, turbidity, color, Ion Selective Electrodes (ISE) applications, particle size distribution, automatic weighing, sample filtration etc. Combinations of analyses or custom-made applications are also possible.
All applied methods are in compliance with international regulations ISO, EPA, Standard Methods, DIN etc.
The modular design and flexible, user-defined automation allows the instruments to meet your exact requirements resulting in increased
productivity and accuracy of results, while reducing the sample turn-around time, costs per sample and eliminating errors and operator/sample interaction.
The complete platform is enclosed by protective front and side covers to comply with applicable CE regulations. The analyzers are controlled by our own RoboticAccess software package which includes pre-set application files, analyses scheduler, user-definable sample table set-up, user-definable print & export options to LIMS/Excel and an extensive set of QC features.
The SP2000 Series platforms are upgradeable and can be modified according to your changing needs, making your initial investment even more valuable.
SP2000 Series robotic analyzers
The SP2000 Series platforms can be used for automatic sample preparation and/or automatic sample analysis.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) analysis
BOD analysis is the most common applications for water laboratories. The test is used as an indication of the organic pollution of water.
Skalar's BOD analyzer is one of the most flexible platform available today. Besides the modern design and latest technological innovations, it can be configured from 18 up to 198 BOD bottles. The analyzer is developed to fit your exact laboratory requirements with respect to sample throughput, level of automation, sample capacity etc. Analyses are carried out with all major national and international regulations such as EPA 405.1/ISO 5815-1/ EN-1899-1/2, Standard Methods 5210 B, DIN 38409 etc. as well as customer specific methods.
What can be automated?
- Sample pipetting
- pH measurement and/or setting of the sample
- Addition of nitrification inhibitor (ATU) and/or seed
- Addition of dilution water
- Sample homogenization
- Measurement of initial dissolved oxygen value (DO1)
- Probe/stirrer rinsing between each measurement
- Bottle capping/de-capping
- Measurement of final dissolved oxygen value (DO2)
- Calculation of BOD according to required regulations
If there is a requirement for other analyses such as pH, conductivity, alkalinity, these can be combined with BOD on the same robot.
Want to see how it works? Click the button to watch our demo video.
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) analysis
COD analysis is commonly used to determine the amount of organic pollutants found in surface water and wastewater. The COD value is a useful indicator for measuring the water quality.
COD (ISO 15705/EPA 410.4)
The automation of this method is based on exactly the same reaction as the classical method, but instead of titration, a photometric detection is used. All the manual handling steps are automated. An advantage is the use of pre-prepared tubes, minimizing handling of toxic and hazardous reagents. The analyzers can be used with commercial available or self-made COD reaction tubes and is compatible with several photometers.
COD by titration (ISO 6060)
The analyzer can be configured with 4-6 interchangeable sample racks, each with 20 positions. The samples can remain in the same vials from digestion to titration, thus preserving sample integrity. The analyzer is equipped with a titrator, burette tip, probe and stirrer. For range expansion without changing the burette, the platform can be configured with two titrators.
What can be automated?
- Sample preparation
- Sample homogenization
- Sample titration
- Rinsing burette tip in between each measurement
- Calculation of COD value
SP2000 Testkit analysis
Ready-to-use photometric tests are being used by many water laboratories around the world.
A lot of suppliers offer these kits for many important parameters in water and wastewater analysis such as COD, Total Phosphate, Total Nitrogen, Ammonium, Nitrite etc.The usage of these kits is simple and safe, but still requires many different manual handling steps in the analysis procedure such as sample pipetting, (un)screwing of the tube caps and tube transfer. Especially when the sample amount increases or different parameters have to be analyzed; this process can be very tedious and time consuming. The SP2000 Series
robot can be built to accommodate 48 up to 192 tubes in one batch. The analyzer can process multiple applications in parallel or sequentially at an individual sample level.
What can be automated?
- Sample pipetting
- Sample tube (de) capping
- Sample mixing
- Sample heating/cooling
- Addition of reagents
- Photometric detection
The analyzer can be configured with a second robotic arm to increase sample throughput by using a second gripper and sample needle and stirrer or to perform additional tasks. The test kit application can be combined with pH and Conductivity (EC) measurement for further automatic sample preparation procedures prior to the SP2000 Testkit analysis. With the EC value of the sample, the software can automatically select the most optimal measurement range for the COD analysis of the sample. Sample dilution and pH adjustment of the original sample before analysis is also possible. Qualifying the sample prior to analysis can yield significant cost savings as it prevents using incorrect measurement ranges and therefore avoids wasting test kit reagents and consumables.
The analyzer can handle test kits and photometers from different suppliers.
Want to see how it works? Click the button to watch our demo video.
EC / pH / titrations / turbidity / color / ISE analysis
Accurately controlling the quality of drinking water is very important.
The SP2000 Series robot offers water laboratories a complete “walk-away” concept. The typical parameters for water quality control such as dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, pH, conductivity, color (UV/VIS) including filtration, turbidity can be fully automated.
Original sample collection bottles can be placed directly on the robot, avoiding any need for manual sample transfer. An integrated barcode scanner reads the barcode on the sample collection bottle. The sample ID, including the parameters to be analyzed, become visible in the sample table. The SP2000 Series automatically starts the analysis on this sample according to the data shown in the sample table. The results are directly visible after analysis.
Depending on the application, calibration of the instrumentation can be performed automatically to ensure an accurate performance. Quality control checks and standards can be placed in between samples and probes can be re-calibrated automatically.
What can be automated?
- Barcode scanning for sample ID check and to gain the analysis parameters
- Bottle capping and de-capping
- In-line sample filtration or external via paperband filter
- Sample stirring
- Rinsing of probe, stirrer, draining needle, filters and flow through cells
- Calibration of the instrumentation
- Result calculation
A dual titrator can be included for a higher sample throughput and a paper band filter can be integrated, allowing analysis of particle laden water samples. The analyzer is compatible with numerous current models of meters & probes from a variety of manufacturers. This configuration is expandable with fluoride, hardness and many other parameters
Want to see how it works? Click the button to watch our demo video.
Soil-pH
The pH value of soil gives us information about how to improve the quality of soil, which results in increased crop quantities and cost reduction.
The SP2000 Series analyzer processes easily, large quantities of soil samples every day. The system adds the required extractant to the sample, stirs, waits for a predefined time and determines the pH automatically. Any variables within these stages, such as the pre-stirring time and the stabilization criteria can be adapted at any time to accommodate all sample types and norms in one run.
What can be automated?
- Addition of extractant
- Sample mixing
- pH measurement
- Probe calibration and rinsing
The analyzer has a capacity of up to 792 containers (50 ml). For extremely large batches the analyzer can be configured with two robotic arms each with multiple electrode configurations, up to a total of 12 electrodes, for increased throughput. Besides pH analysis in soil, the analyzer can also be extended with the simultaneous of Electrical Conductivity (EC) measurement.
Want to see how it works? Click the button to watch our demo video.
Particle size distribution analysis
Classification of soil is important for environmental control and construction purposes.
Soil classification is based on several factors such as absorption, the ability to shrink or swell, water retention and permeability. Most of these factors independently correlate with the particle size of the soil. The clay fraction, the smallest fraction (0-2 micron), is indispensable in assessing soil quality. The clay fraction is measured according to for instance ISO 11277/17892-4 and allows the soil to be categorized within stated classes.
The analysis is carried out in three steps:
- Weighing the sample and separating the fractions
- Removal of organic matter and carbonates
- Determination of the clay fraction
Skalar has developed a concept to automate the second and third step in this process. Automation of these steps is of particular interest because they can now be carried out fully automatic and with precise timing and pick up heights. The removal of organic matter and carbonates is automated on the SP50 Series robotic analyzer. With the SP2000 Series platform the determination of the clay fraction is automated.
What can be automated?
The SP50 sample preparation robot
The SP2000 clay fraction robot
- Addition of water
- Sample heating
- Addition of hydrogen peroxide
- Sample cooling
- Addition of hydrochloric acid
- Sample rinsing
- Addition of sodium pyrophosphate solution
- Addition of water
- Sample homogenizing
- Sample pick-up and transfer to the evaporation dishes
- Temperature correction for the sample pick-up depths
- Sample heating
The SP2000 Series can be configured with 35-105 positions for sedimentation cylinders (1000 ml) and 35-105 positions for evaporation dishes or vials. This procedure can also be performed unattended allowing for overnight operation. In addition, it is also possible to determine other fractions.
Sample preparation solutions
Automation of sample preparation not only speeds up laboratory procedures, but also saves valuable operational time and greatly increases accuracy, reproducibility and productivity
The SP2000 Series platform is ideal for automating sample preparation procedures in an efficient and precise way. Sample preparation techniques such as sample distribution, draining, dilution, filtration, addition of reagents, preservation, mixing, homogenizing, pH setting original sample, sample heating and cooling can be integrated. The robot is compatible with most sample containers, reagent containers, racks and can be equipped with multiple pipetting needles, stirrers and homogenizers. Various (de)-capping devices for vials, tubes and plastic bottles with screw caps, glass bottles with stoppers and containers with magnetic lids are available.
Some configuration examples:
The SP2000 Series can perform the weighing steps necessary for “Loss on Ignition” (LOI). LOI is used to provide an indication of the organic content of a sample by monitoring the weight change after being heated to high temperature (offline up to 550°C in Skalar designed heat proof racks) where the sample loses some of its content by being burnt or volatilised. These racks are directly transferable to and from the oven and robot. Applications include the determination of organic matter content in materials such as sediment, sludge, soil and waste as well as industrial applications for the same parameter in cement, lime and bauxite.
The weighing robot is developed to assist in your Total Suspended Solid (TSS) analysis requirements. TSS analysis is a standard analysis in the wastewater industry as the results of the TSS analysis are used to assess the performance of conventional waste treatment processes and water quality. This application completely automates the time consuming weighing process, allowing your analysts to focus on other duties. Moreover, this automation means that conventional working hours of a laboratory can be greatly extended.
In this automation example with our SP2000 Series platform the de-capping, capping and crimping the caps on the vials and also the addition of extraction solution and internal standard is automated.
A linear spacing mechanism can be integrated on our SP2000 Series robot platform, which is perfect for a number of sample prep applications. This mechanism could be a time-saver for your laboratory, whilst also bringing uniformity by accurate and consistent pipetting. Multiple pick-up needles can be mounted on this mechanism for pick up of samples from original sample bottles and dispensing into analysis tubs/vials of various sizes. The ability to go from large to small containers on a single platform leads to a huge reduction in footprint. Extra needles for simultaneous dilution of samples and/or dosing of additional reagents required for the analysis can be combined on this same linear spacing mechanism.
With the implementation of the sample preparation procedure for subsequent Adsorbable Organic Halides (AOX) sample analysis, the robot takes over tedious and frequently repetitive, time-critical, manual handling steps such as sample pipetting, dilution, mixing at varying speeds, (de)-capping of sample bottles, addition of hazardous reagents such as acids and, last but not least, dispensing of the diluted samples at a precise rate of 3 ml/min on to dedicated cartridges as part of the extraction procedure for further AOX analysis.
The SP2000 Series offers full automation on the addition of extraction solution, shaking and filtration of tobacco samples.
The robot measures first the EC and pH value of a filtered and centrifuged sample. Based on the EC value of the sample, the robotic software can automatically select the dilution factor required for subsequent metal analysis. The sample is picked up, diluted and dispensed in the rack for metal analysis. Thereafter, the remaining undiluted sample is distributed to different vials for Dissolve Organic Carbon (DOC) measurement, phenol, cyanide and anion analysis on other analyzers.
The sample preparation procedure contains a lot of manual handling steps and can be quite dangerous, because of the release of gases during the analysis, as well as the potential risk of contaminating the laboratory with mercury. Therefore, the complete unit is placed in a fumehood and equipped with a special fume “point” extractor to extract the dangerous gases on the spot.
Software
RoboticAccess is designed as a flexible and multitasking program for controlling the Skalar robotic analyzers. While analyzing the samples, already obtained results are processed and new analyses can be prepared and scheduled. An access code and password are required before operation to prevent unauthorized operation and data modification.
The application files, which contain the instructions for the analyzers to perform the specifications, are pre-set in the software by Skalar, according to (inter) national regulations or can be in accordance with user defined requirements.
Runs can be easily started by selecting the required application and simply creating a user defined sample table by dragging the racks to the analyzer. When the sample table is completed and the analysis sequence is defined, the run can be started or scheduled for another start time.
All applications can be programmed to be analyzed. The status of the running analysis can be followed on the screen and the results are displayed in real-time. During the run it is possible to add priority samples or exclude samples from measurement.
Results can be printed in user defined print reports and exported to a txt, excel or LIMS. Finished runs can be archived as well as backed up and restored later.
Integrated Quality Control features assure accurate results and full compliance with required regulations. QC samples can be analyzed and Quality Control charts together with other valuable statistical information can be created. Also CLP protocols can be included, which allow automatic actions of the Robot analyzer itself if QC and CLP limits are exceeded. This guarantees the production of highly accurate results and automatic quality control on the Robotic analyzer’s performance.
Industries we serve
Sure there is more we can serve, but we did not yet list them all.