OES Lab: Standard Automation for OES analysis

The optimal automation for OES analyses

The Herzog OESLab ensures fully automated analysis of steel and non-ferrous samples using optical emission spectroscopy (OES). The OESLab has been specially designed for connection to fully automated sample preparation laboratories and can be easily integrated even in confined spaces thanks to its small footprint.

The OESLab ensures that production, recalibration, and control samples are analyzed under consistent and reproducible conditions. The samples are either transferred automatically from the preparation circuit or introduced manually from the outside by the operator. To enable the fastest possible sample analysis, the OESLab can be positioned directly on the side surface of the HS-F 1000 (Speedline configuration). The OESLab robot then removes the sample directly from the milling machine without further delay and passes it on for immediate analysis.

The PrepMaster Entry control system handles the routing, priority control and management of all samples to achieve optimum system usage with the shortest possible analysis times.

Simple management of recalibration and control samples

Recalibration and control samples are entered and released via the integrated transfer position. This means that there is no need for the operator to enter the automated system and the ongoing processes will not be interrupted. The system has sufficient magazine capacity to store recalibration and control samples with different diameters. If necessary, the number of magazine locations can be adapted to the specific requirements of each customer. The PrepMaster Entry software offers numerous options for parameterizing the reference measurements. For example, the schedules for measuring control samples can be comfortably configured or the distribution of spark points can be easily defined. 

Partial or global calibration is initiated by the OES instrument itself. The information is forwarded via standard interfaces to the PrepMaster, which controls all further processes. The default procedures generally cover most requirements but can of course be individually customized to meet the needs of each customer. 

Handling of production samples

The production samples to be analyzed are managed, prioritized and, if necessary, buffered in a special magazine by the PrepMaster software. Using the automatic vision system (optional), the SparkPoint module of PrepMaster Entry analyzes the sample surface. This allows the detection of defects and determines the optimum position of the spark points in the preferred sample regions. In addition, even small displacements, and rotations of the sample in the robot hand are detected and automatically corrected when the sample is placed on the spark stand. This increases process reliability and improves analytical accuracy.

Optimized sparks stand cleaning

Together with SpectroAmetek, we have developed a new unit for spark stand cleaning. This not only cleans the spark electrode, but also the space surrounding the electrode, which leads to a considerable reduction in debris inside the spark chamber. This significantly extends the already excellent operating time of the Spectro Lab S. As a result, this not only minimizes maintenance work for the laboratory team, but also increases the availability of the system.

Numerous options

The OESLab can be supplied with numerous options. These include sample marking systems in the form of label, laser, inkjet, and matrix printers. In addition, a radioactivity measuring device can be supplied, which issues a warning message if a critical threshold value is exceeded. Production samples can be archived in pull-out boxes. Alternatively, the samples can also be dispensed onto a belt that runs along the inside of the OESLab and transports the samples to a central archive magazine.

Data analysis using PrepMaster Analytics

PrepMaster Analytics offers numerous benefits in evaluating the analysis results obtained in the OESLab. For example, PrepMaster Analytics can automatically perform a validation of the analysis results of production samples. It is also possible to automatically determine the measurement uncertainty of the system, monitor the instrument status using various criteria and perform SPC checks on control sample results. The PrepMaster Analytics experiment module can be used, e.g., to perform a plant calibration of an instrument or to automatically correlate analysis results from two or more instruments. This is just a small selection of the many possibilities offered by the PrepMaster Analytics software.