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Product category: Materials Testing
News Release from: Metrohm UK
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial Team on 10 August 2005

Software partner for laboratory
automation

Note: A free brochure or catalogue is available from Metrohm UK about its services. Click here to request a copy.

The control and database software tiamo, offers numerous new functions for automated titration systems.

The control and database software tiamo, offers numerous new functions for automated titration systems Some of the most interesting features are outlined below

The management of samples and analytical procedures is usually carried out with the help of a laboratory information and management system (LIMS).

All incoming samples are logged into the LIMS and classified for further processing.

The LIMS draws up a working list for the samples to be processed that contains, among other things, the sample identification and the analytical method to be used.

tiamo automatically takes over this working list and displays the samples to be processed in the sample table.

In this way the manual input of the data into the sample table, which is both time-consuming and error-prone, can be dispensed with.

The user is immediately informed about which and how many samples are to be analyzed at the particular titration workplace.

Precise control of sample metering Pipetting is the most frequent sample preparation step for liquid samples.

With the new graphical method editor, this liquid-handling operation can be programmed step by step in tiamo.

This offers the possibility of adapting the pipetting procedure to suit the particular sample matrix.

Sample volumes in the microL to mL range can be metered reliably and extremely precisely.

In this way users can save valuable time and also improve the quality of analytical results.

A defined volume is transferred from the sample vessel into the external titration cell that is mounted on a base plate laterally attached to the Robotic Sample Processor.

Automatic thermostatting and homogenizing of samples Thermostattable water baths are used for keeping samples at a constant temperature, for example to dissolve a sample component.

If the water bath has an RS 232 interface then it can be remotely controlled by tiamo.

The temperature is defined in the tiamo method and transmitted to the heating or cooling bath via the serial interface.

tiamo can also control dispersing tools used for sample preparation.

This means that it is possible to reduce the particle size of the sample and homogenize it within a preset time and at a controlled speed.

Parallel preparation and analysis of samples In order to increase sample throughput at an automated titration system it is important that the processing time per sample is reduced.

One way of doing this is to allow different method steps to take place at the same time.

The cleverly devised control system of tiamo is now able to reliably control several procedures taking place in parallel.

For example, the next sample can be prepared while the current sample is still being titrated.

The simultaneous determination of several parameters is also possible with tiamo.

This brings enormous savings in time and costs.

If predetermined limits are infringed its control functions allow predefined actions to be triggered.

Everything is possible from the simple display of a message on the screen up to the automatic dispatch of an E-Mail.

Users can also define whether the system is to continue to work or whether it is to be stopped until the arrival of the user to avoid the loss of valuable samples.

tiamo does part of the thinking Intelligent programming allows tiamo to take decisions.

If the analysis result obtained lies within the limits then it will be stored in the sample database and automatically exported to the LIMS.

However, if the result is outside the limits it will be stored in a second database and the user informed by E-Mail.

In this case no export to the LIMS takes place.

The user is immediately informed when a given sample is outside the defined limits and can take appropriate action.

In addition, tiamo automatically analyzes a control sample to check the proper functioning of the system.

Powerful report generator The demands placed on an analytical report differ greatly - but are always high.

tiamo has a powerful report generator that is unequalled on the market.

By using these report templates the analytical results can then be printed out or generated as a PDF file.

Even the automatic transmission of analytical reports by E-Mail is available to you.

Flexible data export If the sample table has been drawn up directly by the LIMS and then used by tiamo then it is now the turn of tiamo to send the analytical results back to the LIMS.

Export flexibility is again decisive here.

What information about the determination has to be sent where and in what format? No problem for tiamo.

The wide range of export formats and the integration of the export function in the method sequence allow any type of export that is required.

From generating a simple Excel table up to export in the modern XML format, everything is possible.

Integration into the company network The rapid exchange of and direct access to analytical results are of crucial importance today.

As a real client/server program tiamo utilizes the most modern network technology so that you can access your data anywhere and at any time.

Analytical results, methods and system settings are stored centrally and are available to each tiamo client. Request free introductory details about products from Metrohm UK ...

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