Lab robotics
The challenges laboratories worldwide face are growing – more samples, more parameters, and fewer experienced staff, while striving for faster, more reliable results, more sustainability, and cost-efficiency. Standard benchtop automation systems help to overcome some of these burdens by handling repetitive tasks or liquid handling. However, many workflows require additional robotic arms for transferring the sample between different stations for sample preparation or analysis.
When standard automation reaches its limits, we go one step further. Our fully customized robotic automation solutions allow you to streamline your complex workflows, enhance precision, and maximize efficiency on a high level.
Metrohm Lab Robotics
Your partner for complex, customized robotics solutions
- 60+ years of expertise in lab automation
- Understanding of the complete application from sample preparation to result evaluation
- Implementation into the digital workflow of your laboratory
- Deep knowledge of various analytical techniques for the best combination for your workflow
- Development and implementation of complete robotics solution for your lab
- Global application support and service
Customized solutions to your challenges
If your project goes beyond the capabilities of our extensive range of OMNIS sample robots, we are here to assist you. Working alongside our trusted engineering partners – or a partner of your choice – we design and build fully tailored robotic solutions to meet your requirements, no matter if you want to automate your laboratory or are thinking about automated mobile robots to handle your samples in the lab.
We specialize in projects involving:
- very complex and time-consuming sample preparation – including temperature adjustments, boiling under reflux, sample homogenization, and removing caps
- automated volumetric or gravimetric sample measurement – including powders, liquids, pills, or pastes
- extremely high sample loads
- the integration of different analytical technologies
- the digital integration of the complete workflow in your data systems to guarantee traceability and data integrity
From vision to fully operational automation
We take a structured approach and lead your project to success step by step. The typical process includes the following stages:
- Understanding your needs – Identifying key requirements
- Developing a concept – Developing a customized solution and definition of key milestones
- Refining the details – Verifying and finetuning specifications
- Finalizing the design – Final approval of detailed technical design
- Engineering and assembly – with FAT (Factory Acceptance Test)
- On-site installation and commissioning – after SAT (Site Acceptance Test)
- Ongoing support and service – Ensuring long-term performance with Metrohm’s trusted expertise
Metrohm Lab Robotics – Real-world applications
A fully integrated robotic solution for chemical analysis by Alsys
Alsys has created a laboratory robot solution for the internal lab of a major chemical plant, checking samples for several end groups such as acid value, saponification value, iodine value, hydroxyl value, peroxide value, and more.
The automated workflow of this solution includes:
- Tracking samples in the system by RFID
- Opening and closing screw cap bottles
- Weighing samples
- Time-controlled heating (including reflux boiling) of samples for reactions
- Determination of up to 400 analyses in 24 hours
- Controlling all components of the system via one software
For more detailed information, visit the dedicated Alsys webpage.
A fully integrated robotic solution for TAN/TBN
This customized robotic system for Total Acid Number (TAN) and Total Base Number (TBN) was commissioned to a large contract laboratory with high sample loads. The automated workflow of this solution includes:
- Identification of the sample by barcode for complete traceability
- Opening and closing containers with screw caps
- Pipetting and weighing the sample
- Determination of TAN and/or TBN in up to four samples in parallel for a throughput of up to 400 samples per day.
- Addressing all digital aspects with one control software (OMNIS Software)