HL-CU: Capping/Decapping Unit

Innovative technology for capping and decapping different vessels

Innovative technology for capping and decapping different vessels
The HL-CU is an innovative unit designed to automatically remove and replace various covers of laboratory vessels. It is an essential component for automating laboratory chemical processes. The HL-CU can be used to handle three different types of caps: screw caps, watch glass lids and snap-on caps used for microwave vessels.

The HL-CU can be seamlessly integrated into the HL-DU liquid dosing and HL-TU liquid transfer units, enabling smooth and efficient liquid handling workflows.
 

Screw cap handling

The HL-CU offers a highly precise and flexible solution for screw cap handling. Different sample tubes, varying cap diameters, as well as bottle shapes and volumes can be processed without difficulty. The movements – both rotation and gripping – are controlled with the highest precision by stepper motors. An intelligent Z-module automatically compensates for the thread pitch of the caps, while the motor current enables precise control of the torque. This combination ensures safe and reliable capping, with continuous monitoring of the end position of the caps.

Handling watch glass lids

For watch glass lids on laboratory beakers, the HL-CU uses a combination of pneumatic vacuum suction cups and special overpressure technology. This makes lifting and placing the lids effortless and reliable. The flexibility of the unit allows it to be adapted to different lid shapes, diameters and materials, ensuring a wide range of possible applications. At the same time, overpressure technology ensures that the lids are safely and securely removed from the suction device without being damaged.

Handling lids for microwave vessels

The HL-CU variant was specially developed to efficiently process snap-on caps of microwave digestion vessels. In connection with the CEM microwave digestion system BLADE, the HL-CU enables a fully automated process. 

The special mechanism allows the cap to be removed from the quartz vessel in order to add mineral acids before digestion or to remove the liquid for analysis after digestion. Afterwards, the cover is replaced in a process-reliable manner. The BLADE device ensures that the pressure lock opens automatically after completion of the microwave digestion and the escaping gas is drawn off by suction. The pressureless vessel can then be easily removed and further processed.