Laboratory automation system

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Laboratory automation systems are special automation systems for applications in research and development (R&D).

A laboratory automation system is used to automate test systems and test stands in the development laboratories of the chemical, biotechnical, as well as the food and environmental industries. The most common application is the automation of laboratory reactor systems .

Since these are specialized process control systems (PLS), laboratory automation systems are also referred to as research process control systems (FPLS). Like any normal process control system, a research process control system consists of at least one display and operating component (OS) and at least one process-related component (AS). The ABK (usually a PC with a FPLS software) is used to configure , parameterizing , programming , operation and monitoring, monitoring, recording, archiving, etc. The PNK allows their interfaces connecting the sensors , actuators and laboratory equipment and implements the control and regulation functions.

Laboratory automation systems differ from conventional automation systems in essential points:

• Pre-configured interfaces for common laboratory equipment
• Online configuration and parameterization (enables changes during operation without shutting down the system)
• Compact design (enables installation directly on the system)
• Increased measuring accuracy (reliable measured values ​​without additional calibration effort)
• Easy handling by laboratory staff (little or no special knowledge required)
• Data export in various file formats for external programs

The most important interfaces of laboratory automation systems are:

• Analog inputs ( voltage and current interfaces for pressure sensors , temperature sensors, etc.)
• Analog outputs (voltage and current interfaces for laboratory stirrers , dosing pumps, etc.)
• Digital inputs (for limit monitors)
• Digital outputs (for controlling valves )
• Serial interfaces (for connecting laboratory devices such as laboratory scales or analyzers )

The use of laboratory automation systems offers the following benefits: The seamless recording of all measured values, test parameters and events ensures the reproducibility of even complex and long-lasting tests and enables subsequent error analysis. The largely automatable data evaluation avoids errors and relieves the laboratory staff of routine activities.

The recorded data and test parameters can be transferred online for standardized presentation and automatic evaluation to an electronic laboratory journal or to a LIMS for permanent storage .