QCX/RoboLab is a fully automated, robotics based laboratory concept with a very high degree of flexibility for individual solutions. The concept is based on sample preparation and laboratory equipment arranged in a circular configuration around a powerful industrial robot arranged in a room with human access prohibited during operation. Analytical instruments are either located in an adjoining room, separated by a glass wall or integrated in the robotics circle. For the first mentioned set-up, sample loading takes place via transport belts and special loading components. These components may be eliminated when analytical equipment units are directly placed in the robotics circle. Key selection criteria for which lay-out concept to choose are available space, dust & noise levels and to what extent activities like off-line analysis, calibration, instrument check etc are best supported.
Sample preparation and analysis equipment are sub-supplied from leading equipment suppliers, while FLSmidth Automation as the system integrator designs and engineer the overall automation solution and produces the QCX/RoboLab software, integrated and engineered to the project specific configuration. Pending the automation specifications existing equipment may be integrated in the set-up. The system is software wise delivered as a completely integrated system, with efficient commissioning in mind.
Samples arrive either via the connected automatic sample transport system or via manual/semi-automatic transfer points from the outside to the robot cell. Bar code scanning for identification of incoming samples is an available option. A wide range of sample preparation and analysis tasks can be automated by the QCX/RoboLab system concept. Often applied preparation & analysis disciplines are:
| • crushing (and drying) |
• particle sizing by laser or traditional sieving |
| • splitting & dosing |
• colour analysis |
| • pressed powder and/or fused bead preparation for X-ray analysis |
• combustion analysis for C/ S /H2O - determination |
| • specific surface (Blaine) |
• composite sample collection |
The standard robot model used has a load capacity of 5-7 kg and a reach of 1.8 metre. These specs will cover the typical cement production laboratory requirements. For heavy duty projects involving sample handling of large, bulky sample portions (such as mine sample reception, iron ore processing & ship loading etc.) robot models with load capacities in the range 30 - 200 kg and a reach in the range 2.5 to 3.0 metre are available. Setups with multiple robots with exclusive or overlapping working areas are also possible.
