LabTech Acid6 Automated Liquid Dispenser

Overview

The LabTech Acid6 Automated Liquid Dispenser is an engineered solution for precise, safe, and high-throughput reagent dispensing in analytical laboratories handling corrosive and hazardous liquids—particularly concentrated acids used in sample digestion workflows (e.g., microwave-assisted acid digestion for ICP-MS, AAS, or ICP-OES sample preparation). Unlike conventional manual or semi-automated pipettors, the Acid6 operates on a closed-loop peristaltic delivery principle, eliminating direct contact between operators and aggressive reagents while maintaining metrological traceability across its six independent fluid paths. Its core architecture integrates corrosion-resistant PFA tubing throughout the entire wetted path, ensuring chemical compatibility with HNO₃, HF, HCl, and aqua regia at elevated concentrations and temperatures up to 120 °C. Designed specifically for regulated environments—including environmental testing labs, geochemical analysis centers, and metallurgical QA/QC facilities—the Acid6 complies with fundamental safety and operational requirements aligned with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 clause 6.4 (equipment suitability) and supports GLP-compliant documentation through audit-trail-capable software logging.

Key Features

• 6-channel independent peristaltic pump system enabling simultaneous or sequential dispensing of different reagents without cross-contamination
• PFA fluid pathway certified for long-term exposure to strong mineral acids; validated for >10,000 cycles under continuous operation
• Integrated fume management: self-contained acid exhaust hood with HEPA-grade pressurized intake filtration and adjustable LED illumination for real-time process monitoring
• XYZ three-axis robotic arm with ±0.1 mm positional repeatability, supporting vial racks (12–96-well), digestion vessels (up to 100 mL Teflon®-lined), and custom labware via programmable coordinate mapping
• Wireless tablet-based control interface featuring intuitive graphical workflow builder, drag-and-drop protocol editing, and password-protected user roles (Operator, Supervisor, Administrator)
• Intelligent safety interlocks including liquid-level sensing, tubing occlusion detection, over-pressure cutoff, and automatic post-run purging with air/nitrogen flush
• Fan delay shutdown (configurable up to 30 min) ensures complete residual fume evacuation after cycle completion

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Acid6 accommodates a wide range of container formats—including polypropylene digestion tubes, quartz crucibles, borosilicate glass vials, and PTFE-coated microwave rotors—without mechanical adaptation. Its open-architecture design permits integration into existing laboratory automation ecosystems via RS-232, USB-C, or optional Ethernet connectivity. From a regulatory standpoint, the system meets essential requirements for controlled substance handling under OSHA Laboratory Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200 and supports compliance with EPA Method 3050B/3051A/3052 for acid digestion. While not FDA 21 CFR Part 11–certified out-of-the-box, the software architecture provides timestamped, user-attributed event logs compatible with internal validation protocols for GMP/GLP environments.

Software & Data Management

The Acid6 Control Suite runs on Android-based tablets and delivers full protocol lifecycle management: from method creation and parameter calibration (volume verification, tip alignment, pump speed profiling) to execution, export, and audit-ready reporting. All dispense events—including volume delivered, channel activated, error codes, and environmental sensor readings (temperature, humidity, airflow status)—are stored locally with optional cloud backup. Raw data exports are available in CSV and PDF formats, preserving metadata such as operator ID, timestamp, instrument serial number, and firmware version. Software updates are delivered over-the-air (OTA) and include version-controlled release notes traceable to internal change control records.

Applications

• Automated acid addition in EPA-compliant soil/sediment digestion prior to heavy metal analysis
• Sequential reagent dosing in multi-step leaching protocols (e.g., TCLP, SPLP)
• Standardized dilution series preparation for calibration curve generation in trace element quantification
• High-volume sample prep for routine food safety testing (e.g., Pb, Cd, As in agricultural commodities)
• Reproducible matrix-matched standard spiking in reference material certification workflows
• Method development support for novel digestion chemistries requiring precise stoichiometric reagent ratios

FAQ

What types of acids are compatible with the Acid6’s fluid pathway?
Concentrated nitric acid (HNO₃), hydrochloric acid (HCl), hydrofluoric acid (HF), sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), and aqua regia are fully supported when used within manufacturer-specified concentration and temperature limits.
Can the Acid6 be integrated with third-party LIMS or ELN systems?
Yes—via configurable API endpoints and delimited text file output; integration requires local IT validation and mapping of field identifiers to institutional data schemas.
Is calibration verification required before each use?
No, but periodic volumetric verification (recommended every 72 hours of active operation or per SOP-defined intervals) using gravimetric or photometric methods is advised to maintain ≤1% accuracy.
Does the system support variable dispensing volumes across different wells or tubes?
Yes—each channel can be programmed independently with unique volume, speed, and dwell time parameters per target location.
How is maintenance performed on the peristaltic pump modules?
Pump heads are tool-free removable; tubing replacement is guided by on-screen prompts with usage-cycle tracking and predictive alerts based on cumulative runtime.