Numerous users around the world benefit from the fast and accurate measurements brought about by the Oxford Instruments’ MQC and MQC+ series of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analyzers. The MQ-Auto, a robotic system provides an additional boost to the laboratory productivity and efficiency by extending the working time of the MQC+ and saves time for laboratory staff to do more intensive jobs.
MQ-Auto
The MQ-Auto system is based upon a high-performance robot arm and a variety of sample racks and conditioning stations. An optional balance can be included for applications that demand the weighing of samples. A barcode reader for sample identification is available.
The optional balance automatically logs gross weight of sample and tube.
The optional barcode reader logs sample ID and recalls formerly stored tare weight of the tube.
Safety
Operator safety is of course paramount with any electrical or mechanical installation, so comprehensive safety features have been built into the MQ-Auto. The robot arm itself is a so-called “collaborative robot”, designed to stop automatically if any obstruction (such as a human limb) is encountered in its path. In addition to this, the entire autosampler installation is housed in a transparent enclosure interlocked to shut down the robot arm if the door is opened. This two-level security protection ensures that the system can be operated safely with confidence.
Operation
The MQ-Auto is managed by software which operates on either the Windows-10 internal computer of the MQC+ instrument, or on an external PC. The software enables samples to be operated against various calibrations, and also enables operation to be stopped in the middle of a task to add extra samples. The sample tubes can be equipped with optional barcodes to identify the sample and to store the tare weight of the tube for measurements that need weighing.
The table illustrates the available racks and conditioning stations. A total of four racks and blocks can be used, in any combination1.
| Sample racks |
18 mm (8 ml) sample tubes |
26 mm (14 ml) sample tubes |
| Room temperature racks (maximum 4) |
Maximum 32 per rack2 |
Maximum 32 per rack2 |
| Heated blocks (maximum 4) |
Maximum 24 per block2 |
Maximum 18 per block2 |
1Sample tubes must all be the same size
2Three positions must be reserved for a tuning sample and initialization routines
OiService
OiService aims to keep instrumentation of customers working as hard as they do. The company’s global network of service hubs offers a complete range of technical support.
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Consumables and Accessories
It offers a range of sample tubes and other accessories |
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Extended Warranties
It offers extended warranties which helps avoid unplanned costs |
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Online Diagnostics
Provides in-depth support over the internet |
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Maintenance Contracts
It ensures that the analyzer produces the right result always |
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Repairs
Fast and efficient turnaround |
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Telephone Helpdesks
Offers a fast response to the issues of customers |
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Training
Offers training to enable customers understand their analyzer and its features |
MQC+
Benchtop NMR analyzers for fast, easy measurement of water, oil, fluorine, and solid fat in a range of samples.
MQ-Auto Provides Sample Automation for Oxford Instruments’ MQC+ Benchtop NMR Analyzers