ATAGO RX-7000α Advanced Full-Automatic Digital Refractometer (Wide-Range, Peltier-Temperature-Controlled)
| Brand | ATAGO |
|---|---|
| Origin | Japan |
| Model | RX-7000α |
| Measurement Range | Brix 0.00–100.00%, nD 1.29980–1.71500 |
| Accuracy | ±0.1% Brix, ±0.0001 nD, ±0.05°C Temperature |
| Temperature Control Range | 5.00–70.00°C (Peltier-based, no external chiller required) |
| Resolution | 0.01% Brix, 0.00001 nD, 0.01°C |
| Sample Cell Material | SUS316 stainless steel |
| Prism Material | Synthetic sapphire |
| Interface | RS-232C for printer & PC connectivity |
| Power | AC 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz, 65 VA |
| Dimensions & Weight | 37 × 26 × 14 cm, 6.8 kg |
Overview
The ATAGO RX-7000α is a high-precision, full-automatic digital refractometer engineered for rigorous laboratory and quality control environments where wide-range refractive index and Brix quantification are critical. It operates on the principle of total internal reflection at the prism–sample interface, measuring the critical angle of incident light to determine the sample’s refractive index (nD) with traceable metrological integrity. Its extended optical path design and thermally stabilized sapphire prism enable reliable measurement across an unprecedented range of 1.29980–1.71500 nD—covering low-refractive aqueous solutions (e.g., fruit juices, soft drinks) through high-index organic media including essential oils, fatty acids, glycerol-rich formulations, halogenated solvents, and polymerizable monomers. Integrated Peltier temperature control ensures precise thermal regulation from 5.00°C to 70.00°C without external chillers or water baths, eliminating thermal drift and supporting ASTM D1218, ISO 21745, and USP compliant measurements.
Key Features
- Peltier-based active temperature control (±0.05°C accuracy) with real-time monitoring and automatic stabilization—no external cooling units required
- High-durability sample stage constructed from corrosion-resistant SUS316 stainless steel and optically polished synthetic sapphire prism (Mohs hardness ≥9)
- One-touch zero calibration: auto-compensated after distilled water introduction and thermal equilibration
- Minimalist two-button operation interface—optimized for glove-compatible, error-resistant use in GMP/GLP production labs
- Embedded ATC (Automatic Temperature Compensation) algorithm compliant with ICUMSA and AOAC methodologies for Brix reporting
- 30-user-definable custom scales—including non-linear concentration models for ethanol-water, glycol-water, and HCl-H2O systems
- RS-232C serial port supporting direct connection to LIMS, label printers, and legacy QA databases
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The RX-7000α accommodates viscous, volatile, thermally sensitive, and chemically aggressive samples—including molten fats (up to 70°C), concentrated syrups, aromatic solvents (e.g., limonene, ethyl acetate), and high-Brix fruit concentrates (>85%). Its sealed sample chamber and inert wetted materials meet FDA-compliant material requirements per 21 CFR §177.2420 and ISO 10993-5 biocompatibility screening criteria. The instrument supports audit-ready workflows under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with optional ATAGO Data Manager software—enabling electronic signatures, user access tiers, and immutable audit trails for raw measurement logs, calibration events, and temperature profiles.
Software & Data Management
Optional ATAGO Data Manager v4.x provides full 21 CFR Part 11 compliance, including role-based authentication, electronic signature capture, and tamper-evident data archiving. All measurements—including nD, Brix, temperature, timestamp, operator ID, and method ID—are automatically timestamped and stored with metadata. Export formats include CSV, PDF reports (with embedded instrument ID and calibration certificate traceability), and XML for ERP/LIMS integration. Data retention policies, automatic backup scheduling, and encrypted local storage ensure alignment with ISO/IEC 17025 clause 7.5.2 and EU Annex 11 requirements for analytical instrument data integrity.
Applications
- Food & Beverage: Brix validation in juice concentrates, honey adulteration screening, sugar recovery optimization in cane/beet processing
- Pharmaceuticals: Excipient concentration verification (e.g., propylene glycol, glycerin), syrup formulation QC, solvent purity checks (IPA, ethanol)
- Chemicals & Petrochemicals: Hydrocarbon blend analysis, fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) content estimation, solvent recycling verification
- Biotechnology: Cell culture media osmolality proxy, fermentation broth sugar depletion tracking, buffer stock concentration auditing
- Academic Research: Refractive index referencing for ellipsometry calibration, polymer solution characterization, thermodynamic property modeling
FAQ
Does the RX-7000α require external water circulation for temperature control?
No—its integrated dual-stage Peltier module delivers both heating and cooling within the 5–70°C range without auxiliary equipment.
Can the instrument measure samples above 70°C?
The maximum controlled measurement temperature is 70.00°C; however, pre-heated samples up to 80°C may be introduced with manual cooldown wait time prior to measurement.
Is calibration traceable to NIST or other national standards?
Yes—ATAGO provides optional factory calibration certificates traceable to NMIJ (National Metrology Institute of Japan), with uncertainty budgets reported per ISO/IEC 17025.
What maintenance is required for long-term accuracy?
Annual verification using certified refractive index standards (e.g., ATAGO RS-2, RS-3) is recommended; prism cleaning with lens-grade tissue and reagent-grade ethanol suffices for daily use.
Can custom Brix-to-concentration conversion curves be imported?
Yes—up to 30 user-defined polynomial or tabular calibration tables can be programmed via the front panel or Data Manager software.
