Laboratory Automation with Versatile
Solutions for all Uses

High throughput Laboratory Automation simplifies the process of conducting automated measurements, encompassing a wide range of parameters such as automated Density, Specific Gravity (SG), Optical Rotation (OR), Specific Rotation (SR), Refractive Index (RI), Brix, Color (Reflectance and Transmittance), pH measurements, and more. This advanced system streamlines the entire procedure, enabling efficient and precise data collection across various applications.

• Self-validated system – New software allows for daily system validations without interrupting your routine
• Custom sample racks allow use of your vial – Saves time, and money, and no decanting. Simply use the same vial you are accustomed to 4 Dram, 1 oz., 1/2 oz., 16x100mm, 13x100mm, 13x7mm, 5mL, and more.
• Heated Racks: 2 Configurations 40/10 and 20/30. The first option includes 40 heated racks and 10 non-heated racks. The second option includes 20 heated racks and 30 non-heated racks. Petroleum customers need an autosampler that can handle both heated and unheated samples. The AutoFlex® R837 is currently the only one available that meets these requirements.
• Urgent sample – Allows the user to run an interrupt sample without having to restart the active run.
• Flexible Method Selection – One of our goals at Rudolph Research is to keep things simple for the user. Each sample requires various methods for loading, measuring, cleaning, and drying. These methods involve factors such as temperature, solvent type, amount, and time.
• Unattended Operation – The R827 and R837 can notify the operator if there is not enough solvent or if the waste jar is full.
• Unmatched Features – Push the start button and watch the vial spin to read your barcode (QR, PDF417, or 2D labels) for the sample ID. Low and highly viscous samples load flawlessly. The R837 will produce automated Density, SG, OR, SR, RI, Brix, CIE L*a*b*(Color), Gardner, ABS, %T, Cobalt, pH measurements, then transfers the results automatically to LIMS, SAP, or any proprietary data management system. The R837 can reclaim the sample if enabled, then thoroughly clean and dry with zero cross-contamination.

Rudolph sets the standard for high-throughput laboratory automation

Flexible Automated Drawer Solution

Mixing highly viscous samples with regular samples is seamless. Users may assign pressure, suction, rinsing, and heating to the sample drawer or the carousel system.

Automation Flexibility with 2 sample capacity

The Two-Sample Drawer Model, with fully automated sample loading, is perfect for labs that want the benefits of automatic sample loading, cleaning, and drying. This model is specifically designed for labs that have a small number of samples to measure.

• 3 sample movement techniques: suction, pressure, or both

• 3 rinses to thoroughly clean the system.

• Automated cleaning allows lab staff to focus efficiently on higher valve activation.

• Samples can be heated automatically.

• Automatically load a blank and a sample in one routine.

• Instruments are always ready to use, walk away and the system cleans itself.

• Make 1 to 6 measurements per sample.

• By using the next sample as a rinse it reduces cycle time.

• Very compact footprint with fully automated functionality as shown.

Data Collection Solutions

Automated Data Collection

Automated sampling manages electronic data recording, sample IDs, and reduces operator errors. Test tubes and bottles can be automatically identified by the system with a built-in barcode and label reader. The perfect automation solution for your high throughput laboratory allows your staff to start a measurement and go to work on other tasks.

• Use any format of bar codes: PDF 417, 2D Matrix, UPC, or any bar code your lab chooses.
• The bar code is recorded as the Sample ID, measurements are taken, and data is available for export to a USB, Network Server, LIMS, or any data storage system.
• Labeling sample vials is also simplified as each bar code can be placed at any rotation on the sample vial or bottle because the sample vials are spun as they pass the bar code reader.
• Import List of Sample IDs – Sample IDs can be saved and exported to AutoFlex^®, which can automatically populate the sample sequence without the need of sample labels.
• Low sample volume consumption – The AutoFlex^® R837 uses less than 12ml of sample for a 5-instrument combination of automated measurements: Specific Gravity SG, Refractive Index (RI), Optical Rotation (OR), Color (LAB) and pH (Density Meter, Refractometer, Polarimeter, Colorimeter, pH meter).
• Fast Throughput – 1.5 to 8 minutes per cycle (load, measure & clean). Some of the fastest data from a laboratory automation system in the industry.

Reporting

High Throughput Laboratory Automation Solution

Automated Density, Specific Gravity (SG), Optical Rotation (OR), Refractive Index (RI), Color, and pH measurements.

• Push the Start button to let the system produce automated Density, Specific Gravity (SG), Refractive Index (RI), Optical Rotation (OR), Specific Rotation, Color, and pH measurements. Then all results are exported automatically to your LIMS with a sample ID number.
• Flexible Sample Vials: Test Tubes, Boston Rounds, 1 OZ, ½ OZ, virtually any size bottle.
• Flexible rack configurations: Heated and unheated on the same carousel.
• Flexible Method Selection: Suction Mode, Pressure Mode, Combination Mode (for unmatched power) 3 variable rinse selections, and endless drying time options.

Smart Sample Loading Technology

• SMART TECHNOLOGY™ automatically adjusts pump speed ranging from thin to high viscosity samples up to 36,000 mPa-s (cP).
• A heated rack option allows heavy crudes to be pumped through the system.
• Standard Methods: Define measurement configuration, sample load configuration (Vacuum or Gas Displacement) solvent choices, and drying time.
• No loss of accuracy or reproducibility over manually loaded samples.

• No house air is required.

Flexible Laboratory Automation Solutions

The AutoFlex^® Series of Automation is engineered to work better and built to last

The Rudolph R837 Automatic Sampling System is rugged and specifically designed to stand up in harsh and high throughput laboratory and industrial applications.

• Superior material construction: Stainless Steel Needle, PTFE, Teflon, and PEEK liquid flow path materials. 

• Robust needle with sufficient torque to pierce any septum.

• Never miss piercing a sample vial with precision-engineered probe arm and sample racks which virtually eliminate misalignment errors.

• Safety guard protects hands and automated needle detects no-sample condition. 

• Modular design reduces combined footprint.

• Interlocking drawer for safety and compliance.

Application Flexibility

The AutoFlex® R837 can be configured with various instruments and measurement methods to automate a wide range of sample viscosities. It is perfect for high-yield laboratories looking to increase productivity. The AutoFlex® is excellent when used in combination with Rudolph Research laboratory instruments in the Petroleum, Chemical, Flavor, Fragrance, Pharmaceutical, and Toxicology industries.

Applications Include but not limited to:

• Automated Test for Brix
• Automated Petroleum Testing
• Automated Pharmaceutical lab testing
• Automated SG Urine Test
• Automated syrup testing

Flexibility Unmatched with Windows Embedded

The user interface allows the operator to interrupt a measurement routine with an urgent sample. The auto-find feature will search if you need to quickly find and measure a sample in the rack.

Cross Contamination Elimination with Lab Automation

Eliminate sample cross-contamination with complete needle cleaning – a Rudolph-exclusive feature

• Self-cleaning needle eliminates cross-contamination by washing both inside and outside areas of the needle between each sample. Most commercially available automation systems only flush the inside of the sample needle but neglect cleaning the outside of the needle thereby carrying over small amounts of the prior sample into new samples.

• The AutoFlex^® Soaker rinses the entire system with your choice of 3 solvents between each sample.

• Low solvent level sensing: the 3 solvent bottles have a non-contact low-level sensor which will prompt the user with a low solvent level message.

• Sample return feature: allows 95% of the original sample to be returned to the sample vial.

• Solvent selection flexibility: by using highly solvent-resistant materials for all sample pathways, a wide variety of solvents may be used including water, acetone, isopropanol, toluene, hexane, and heptane.

Heated Rack or Drawer to Match Your Testing Throughput

Pre-Heat your samples from 30°C to 90°C with heated sample positions.

2 Heated Carousel Configurations

• 20 Heated and 30 non-heated sample positions, for a total of 50 positions.

• 40 Heated and 10 non-heated sample positions, providing independent temperature control for 20 samples that can be set at one temperature and the other 20 at a different temperature and 10 non-heated, for a total of 50 positions.

Heated Tubing

• Keeps the sample in a liquid state to load and unload the sample without clogging. The temperature is controlled by the measurement method making it transparent, operator friendly, reliable, and safe. Heating is activated only when it is required in the method.

Shown below is the AutoFlex^® with 4 heated racks and 1 non-heated rack system and 2 method solution setups.

Our Laboratory Automation can Configure Racks for any Application

Rudolph Research can provide a sample rack or two-position drawer configured to the bottles or vials used in your laboratory so there is no decanting.

A sample of the many custom rack configurations available only from Rudolph. Mix or match up to 5 heated or unheated racks on one Carousel

Small diameter 28 Positions per rack with up to 5 racks.
13mm Test Tube (Dual Rows) Up to 140 samples per carousel.

Standard Test Tube Rack, 10 Positions per rack,
16mm Test Tube (Single Row) Up to 50 samples per carousel.

Standard Test Tube Rack, 17 Positions per rack,
16mm Test Tube (Duel Row) Up to 85 samples per carousel.

Short Test Tube Rack, 10 Positions per rack, 8mm Test
Tube (Single Row) Up to 50 samples per carousel.

Boston Round bottle with caps Rack, 6 or 7 Positions per rack,
(1/2 oz or 1 oz)(14 mm or 28mm) 30-35 samples per carousel.

See the Rudolph R837 AutoFlex Measuring Density and Refractive Index.

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A High Throughput Laboratory Automation Solution

Automated Density, Specific Gravity (SG), Optical Rotation (OR) Refractive Index (RI), Color, and pH measurements.

• Push the Start button and let the system produce automated Density, Specific Gravity (SG), Refractive Index (RI), Optical Rotation (OR), Specific Rotation, Color, and pH measurements. Then all results are exported automatically to your LIMS with a sample ID number.
• Flexible Sample Vials: Test Tubes, Boston Rounds, 1 OZ, ½ OZ, virtually any size bottle.
• Flexible rack configurations: Heated and unheated on the same carousel.
• Flexible Method Selection: Suction Mode, Pressure Mode, 3 variable rinse selections, and endless drying time options.

High Throughput Laboratory Automation – Smart Sample Loading Technology

• SMART TECHNOLOGY™ automatically adjusts pump speed ranging from thin to high viscosity samples up to 36,000 mPa-s (cP).
• A heated rack option handles heavy crudes and waxes.
• Standard Methods: Define measurement configuration, Sample load configuration (Vacuum or Gas Displacement) solvent choices, and drying time.
• Eliminate human error with our Laboratory Automation. No Loss of Accuracy or Reproducibility over manually loaded samples.

Read more about the AutoFlex R837

High Throughput Laboratory Automation Quick Guide

DOWNLOAD A PDF OF THE QUICK GUIDE 

All Rudolph Instruments carry our exclusive 20 Commitment to service your instrument.

Rudolph Research Analytical offers a comprehensive range of Preventive Maintenance and Service Programs. Rudolph has demonstrated a commitment to its customers by keeping installed instruments operational, not only for 20 years but in some cases for over 40 years. This long-term commitment to keeping our instruments running makes the cost of ownership, over the life of a Rudolph Instrument, one of the lowest in the laboratory market segment. At the date this document was published, there is no other laboratory instrument manufacturer guaranteeing service and technical support for 20 years. View the entire 20 Service Guarantee.