OHAUS Adventurer AX Series Analytical Balances

Overview

The OHAUS Adventurer AX Series Analytical Balances represent a rigorously engineered evolution in precision mass measurement for regulated laboratory environments. Designed and manufactured in the United States under ISO 9001-certified processes, these balances operate on electromagnetic force restoration (EMFR) principle—ensuring high reproducibility, minimal drift, and traceable accuracy across their full weighing range. The AX Series meets critical performance criteria defined by USP for analytical balance qualification, including repeatability, linearity, and minimum weight determination. With capacities spanning from 120 g to 8200 g and readability options down to 0.1 mg (Class I), the series accommodates diverse workflows—from microgram-scale pharmaceutical formulation to kilogram-level industrial QC sampling—while maintaining compliance with OIML R 76 metrological requirements.

Key Features

• AutoCal™ Internal Calibration System: Temperature- and time-triggered automatic calibration eliminates manual intervention, ensuring continuous traceability without disrupting workflow. Non-AutoCal models support external calibration with certified weights per ISO/IEC 17025 protocols.
• 4.3-inch Capacitive Touchscreen: WQVGA resolution display with glove-compatible operation enables intuitive navigation across 10 preloaded weighing modes—including piece counting, percentage weighing, checkweighing, animal weighing, density determination, and accumulation statistics.
• Front-Facing USB Port: Enables direct saving of time-stamped weighing records (including sample name, project ID, operator, and timestamp) to USB flash drives in CSV or PDF format—fully compliant with GLP/GMP data integrity requirements per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Annex 11.
• Optimized Draft Shield Architecture: Two-panel sliding glass enclosure minimizes required rear clearance, reducing footprint by up to 35% versus conventional designs. The spacious weighing chamber accommodates tall or wide containers without compromising stability or airflow uniformity.
• Real-Time Clock (RTC) with Battery Backup: Maintains accurate time stamping even during power interruption, supporting audit-ready documentation for regulatory inspections.
• Configurable Minimum Weight Alert: Visual warning (yellow highlight) triggers when sample mass falls below USP -defined minimum weight threshold—enforcing method validity and preventing non-compliant measurements.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The AX Series supports a broad spectrum of sample types—from powders and granules to viscous liquids and irregular solids—without degradation in performance. Stainless steel pans (90 mm and 175 × 195 mm options) resist corrosion and facilitate rapid decontamination. All models comply with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards IEC 61326-1 and safety standard IEC 61010-1. Environmental specifications align with ISO 17025 clause 5.4.2 for controlled laboratory conditions (10–30 °C, ≤80% RH). Weighing results include full metadata logging: date/time, operator ID, balance ID, sample/project identifiers, and calibration status—all exportable for integration into LIMS or ELN systems.

Software & Data Management

Data integrity is enforced through built-in audit trail functionality. Each saved record includes immutable timestamps, user authentication (via optional password protection), and configurable field labels (e.g., “Batch No.”, “Lot ID”). USB export generates files with SHA-256 hash verification to prevent tampering. Settings—including unit preferences, tolerance limits, averaging parameters, and custom weighing modes—can be imported/exported via USB, enabling consistent configuration across multi-unit deployments. RS-232 output supports legacy Sartorius/Adam ASCII protocol for seamless integration with automated dispensing or packaging lines.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical R&D and QC: Accurate formulation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), excipient blending, and content uniformity testing per USP .
• Academic Research: Gravimetric analysis, stoichiometric reagent preparation, and nanomaterial mass quantification.
• Food & Beverage QA: Net weight verification, ingredient proportioning, and moisture loss tracking.
• Materials Science: Density determination of polymers, ceramics, and composites using Archimedean principle with optional density kit.
• Environmental Testing: Filter weighing for particulate matter (PM_2.5/PM₁₀) analysis per EPA Method 201A.

FAQ

Does the AX Series support 21 CFR Part 11 compliance?
Yes—when configured with password-protected user accounts, electronic signatures, and time-stamped audit logs, the AX Series satisfies core technical controls for electronic records and signatures.
What is the recommended calibration frequency?
Per USP , calibration must occur before first use, after relocation, following environmental changes >5 °C, and at defined intervals (e.g., daily or per shift) validated by the user’s risk assessment.
Can the balance be integrated with laboratory information management systems (LIMS)?
Yes—via RS-232 or USB-to-serial adapters using standard ASCII protocols; raw data exports are compatible with common LIMS ingestion formats including CSV and XML.
Is the touchscreen operable with nitrile or latex gloves?
Yes—the capacitive interface is calibrated for reliable response under standard laboratory-grade gloves without requiring stylus assistance.
How is minimum weight determined on the AX Series?
The balance calculates minimum weight per USP formula (2 × standard deviation ÷ desired accuracy %), dynamically updating the threshold based on real-time repeatability measurements during operation.