CNS Lab: Standard automation for combustion analysis

Name: CNS Lab: Standard automation for combustion analysis
Brand: HERZOG

Fully-automatic system for elemental analysis of solid materials by furnace combustion- The solution for significant improvement of laboratory efficiency and quality

The image shows the HERZOG CNS Lab, a modular automated analysis laboratory built within an aluminum frame structure featuring transparent safety panels. The system includes multiple monitors, integrated electronic and control components, and a flexible sample-handling setup designed for comprehensive laboratory analysis.

The image shows the HERZOG CNS Lab in a compact, fully enclosed design with a white and blue housing and large transparent viewing panels. Inside, automated laboratory processes are visible, supported by a modular setup designed for flexible analysis and sample-handling tasks.

The image shows the automated feeding of ceramic crucibles in the HERZOG CNS Lab. Several rows of white crucibles are neatly arranged in a metal holder, ready for subsequent analysis or sample preparation processes.

Input of ceramic crucibles

The image provides a view into the HERZOG CNS Lab, where advanced analysis and automation technology is integrated into a compact enclosure. Behind transparent safety panels, a robotic arm, pneumatic lines, electronic modules, and analytical components can be seen working together to enable precise laboratory processes.

Complex technology in a compact housing

The image shows the automated loading of graphite crucibles in the HERZOG CNS Lab. Several black crucibles are neatly arranged on a metal tray, while a white guide slide on the side enables their precise transfer into the analysis process.

Loading graphite crucibles

The image shows an input magazine of the HERZOG CNS Lab, where multiple graphite crucibles are neatly arranged in rows on a metal plate. The crucibles are prepared for automated transfer and subsequent analytical processing.

Graphite crucible in the input magazine

The image shows an input magazine of the HERZOG CNS Lab containing multiple white ceramic crucibles arranged in neat rows on a metal plate. A blue front flap is open in front of the magazine, allowing the crucibles to be ready for the automated analysis process.

Ceramic crucibles in the input magazine

The image shows the HERZOG CNS Lab, an automated analysis system featuring an aluminum frame, transparent safety panels, and a blue front module. The machine includes multiple access and service doors, a large monitor for process monitoring, and easily reachable electrical and mechanical components for maintenance and operation.

Good accessibility to all components of the CNSLab

The image shows the high-precision weighing area inside the HERZOG CNS Lab. In the foreground, a single ceramic crucible is positioned on a precision weighing station, while additional crucibles in a magazine are visible in the background, ready for automated weighing and analysis.

High-precision weighing of the sample material

The image shows the preheating process of a ceramic crucible in the HERZOG CNS Lab using induction. A single crucible is positioned in a metallic holder, while a spiral-shaped induction coil above it enables precise, contactless heating.

Pre-annealing of the ceramic crucible by means of induction heating

The image shows the receiving unit of the HERZOG CNS Lab for punched pins coming from the HUST system. Several metallic receiving stations are neatly aligned, while on the right an ABB robotic arm with flexible cable routing is visible, handling the pins automatically for further processing.

Receiving unit in the CNSLab for punched pieces from the HUST

The image shows a reference material magazine inside the HERZOG CNS Lab. Multiple rows of cylindrical metal containers are neatly positioned on labeled holders, while in the background a robotic arm operates, handling the samples automatically for further processing.

Magazine for reference materials

The image shows the preheating of a ceramic crucible in the HERZOG CNS Lab using a continuous furnace. The crucible is guided into the heated furnace opening by a mechanical holder, while status LEDs and sensors monitor the process.

Pre-annealing of the ceramic crucible using a tunnel furnace

Use

Fully automatic sample preparation for combustion analysis incl. sample receipt, weighing, dosing of additives, annealing of ceramic crucibles, annealing of sample by induction, transfer to analyzers, disposal of crucibles

Material

Punched pieces and milling chips from steel, iron and non-ferrous material
Standard ceramic and graphite crucibles used for combustion analysis

Operation mode

Fully automatic sample preparation and analysis

All advantages at a glance

CNSLab

The HERZOG CNSLab is the fully-automatic solution for elemental analysis of solid materials by furnace combustion. The CNSLab has been specially developed for the analysis of iron and steel samples using punched pieces or milling chips, but it can also be used for other types of inorganic materials.

The CNSLab covers the complete process of sample preparation from the automatic receiving of the sample up to the transfer of the preheated crucible containing the weighed sample and additives to the analyser. Furthermore, the CNSLab supports all steps required for instrument calibration including management of reference samples and the definition of the calibration procedure.

According to the sample volume, the CNS Lab may have one robot with up to two analysers or two robots with up to four analysers. In the latter case, the CNSLab ensures system availability if one robot is in service mode. In each case, the analyzers are rotatable in the housing and can be turned around for manual operation. In this operation mode, the robot access to the analysers is automatically locked because for safety reasons.

The CNSLab offers many opportunities. It leads to a significant reduction of mundane tasks for the laboratory personnel, increases sample throughput and improves the quality of sample preparation and analysis.

Automatic receiving of samples

The production samples can be automatically received from the pre-stage sample preparation cell. In this case, the samples are transported from the sample preparation machine to the CNSLab by a pneumatic tube system. Solid pieces are usually punched out of double-thickness or disc samples using the automatic punching machine HUST. From here, up to four punched pieces are transferred separately to the receiving unit of the CNSLab. Furthermore, milling chips can be used for analysis after automatic capture in the milling machine and transportation to the CNSLab. The PrepMaster control software of the CNSLab takes care of sample management, sample ID shifting and communication with the analysing instrument.

Alternatively, samples can be introduced manually by the operator. In this case, the operator registers the sample by using the keyboard or integrated touch panel (option) and inserts the material via a special input drawer.

Tailored solutions for all analytical requirements

The CNSLab performs all sample preparation steps necessary for successful and reliable combustion analysis. A multi-axis robot carries out the handling of samples and crucibles, providing maximum flexibility and processing speed. The modular software-design of the PrepMaster allows easy adaptation of worksheets and sample routing according to the requirement of each customer.

Batches of new crucibles (standard ceramic or graphite crucibles) are easily supplied to the system by insirting trays via input drawers. Ceramic crucibles are automatically preheated in a special through-type tube furnace. The PrepMaster takes care that each crucible is held for a given amount of time at the required temperature. If a crucible at the output position of the furnace exceeds the acceptable cool-down time it is automatically transferred to the input position for re-heating.

After the arrival of the punched piece in the receiving unit the sequence of process steps depends on the intended analysis. For CS analysis, the robot takes the ceramic crucible from the pre-heating furnace and transfers it to a high-precision balance for determination of the tare weight. Then the robot fills the sample into the crucible and the exact sample weight is determined which is used by the analyser. Subsequently, the crucible with the sample can be annealed to temperatures up to 800°C by an induction heating unit (option). This removes undesirable carbon deposits that could potentially contaminate the surface of the sample. Afterward, the robot transfers the crucible to the dosing unit for additives and a pre-defined amount of accelerator is released on top of the sample. Eventually, the crucible is placed on the furnace pedestal of the CS analyser and the analysis is initiated.

For ONH analysis, the robot transfers a new graphite crucible from the input tray to the lower electrode of the analyser. Then the aluminium cup from the receiving unit is weighed together with the sample and inserted into the loading head of the analyser. Afterward, the empty aluminium cup is weighed again to calculate the precise sample weight which is forwarded to the analyser.

Instrument calibration with many options

Reference and calibration/drift samples are stored in a special rack magazine with up to 70 positions. The magazine is readily accessible by opening the safety door and can be easily loaded by the operator. The PrepMaster makes registering new reference samples very simple and provides a fast overview of all reference materials in the system.

For the management of calibration analyses, different options are available. The PrepMaster may regularly notify the operator, which then selects appropriate reference samples and starts the calibration manually. Alternatively, the operator defines calibration plans and PrepMaster initiates the calibration process automatically.

PrepMaster control system for smooth operation

The PrepMaster control system ensures the smooth operation of the CNSLab. It provides the operator with a fast overview of all relevant data, including production and reference samples within the system, the state of the preheated crucible, load of analysers etc. Intelligent registration procedures make it easy to insert crucibles and samples, no matter if you use a keyboard or touchscreen as an input device. Furthermore, PrepMaster guarantees a seamless integration of the CNSLab with other automation sections and analysers.