Visit the Open Mind Technologies web site

Process Automation Within Reach Of Majority UK

Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team Feb 17, 2004

The launch of the Lab-Manager process control computer system is set to bring process automation within the reach of the majority of laboratories, pilot plants and mini-production facilities.

Laboratory equipment specialist Lab-Plant is set to bring process automation within the reach of the majority of laboratories, pilot plants and mini-production facilities with the launch of the Lab-Manager process control computer system.

Developed by Hitec Zang of Germany in accordance with NAMUR and the research facilities of a number of major European chemical companies, the Lab Manager system provides users with the means to reduce costs whilst at the same time improving quality, consistency and productivity.

Laboratory process automation, which used to be feasible only with extensive planning, enough equipment to fill a cupboard, a large budget and an IT specialist, is now possible through a single compact device.

A single LAB-Manager or LAB-Box about the size of a standard PC tower unit or even smaller - replaces the traditional Oswitchboard� filled with individual components and elaborate cabling.

Linked to a PC running the user-friendly LabVision software, the system not only gives total control over an infinite possibility of processes but also provides a complete range of process data as events are consistently and continually documented throughout the process.

LAB-Manager is fully scaleable, able to grow from simple data logging duties to complex process control.

With the ability to migrate from the laboratory through pilot plant to full production, the system allows the user an insight into how a process can be automated at an early stage thereby shortening the time to market where product development is concerned.

Although created for the needs of R and D, LAB-Manager is equally suited to process development and optimisation, scale-up work, screening and quality assurance.

The LabVision control system software allows the user to control and observe the laboratory or plant equipment and process from any PC running Windows NT/2000/XP.

This can be on site or remotely via an intranet or other data link.

In most cases the sophisticated safety and alarm concept built into the software also enables processes to be left unsupervised allowing equipment and personnel resources to be used more effectively and efficiently.

The flexibility, scope of works and ease of operational use of a Lab-Manager system are beyond the limits of conventional process automation systems.

Powerful additional modules allow for more extensive offline analysis as well as the monitoring and control of further process elements.

This enables the user to implement a continuous data chain from experiment planning through to the presentation of results, eliminating errors and speeding up process trials.

Lab Plant director Greg Smith sees the new Lab-Manager system as a revolutionary step commenting; �Lab-Manager really is automation made simple.

Complex recipe-control, multi-stage synthesis, controlled distillation or polymerisation for example can now be achieved at the push of a button with unmatched reproducibility.

This is particularly suited to the continuous and batch processes required in chemistry, pharmaceuticals, biotechnologies and food.

This system and its ancillaries will now mean that complex process automation becomes financially and logistically viable to far more organisations more than the present exclusive minority� With its roots in scientific glassblowing, Lab-Plant has a 35 year history as one of the UK's leading manufacturers and suppliers of laboratory solutions, after-sales maintenance and servicing to industrial, research and education laboratories worldwide.

The company's success is based on a customer-focused approach with strong technical back-up to support its comprehensive ranges of bench-top and capital equipment.