Keywords
Citation
Hollingum, J. (2000), "Autosampler", Industrial Robot, Vol. 27 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2000.04927fad.011
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2000, MCB UP Limited
Autosampler
Autosampler
Keywords Sampling, Analysis, Robots, Calibration
Applicant: Tekmar Co. (US)Patent number: US5948360Publication date: 7 September 1999
A modular vial autosampler has a storage area for vials containing samples to be analysed and at least one modular sampling station. A vial transfer mechanism includes an arm having a gripper that lifts a sample vial from the storage section, and the arm moves it to a station for identification and then to a sampling station, and under central control activates the sampling station for obtaining a sample for analysis. The vial transfer mechanism gripper is movable in X, Y, and Z directions to capture and move a selected vial and includes an alignment guide for the vials. Potentiometers are used for providing signals indicating arm position and the control is provided with updated information for calibration of the potentiometers and also updated position information for the arm relative to a fixed home position is obtained.
Jack Hollingum