ATAGO RX-5000i Automated Desktop Temperature-Controlled Refractometer

Overview

The ATAGO RX-5000i is a high-precision, fully automated benchtop refractometer engineered for laboratories requiring traceable, temperature-controlled refractive index and Brix measurements under regulated or research-grade conditions. It operates on the principle of total internal reflection at the prism–sample interface, where the critical angle of incidence is optically detected via a high-resolution CCD array and converted into refractive index (n_D) using calibrated optical path algorithms. Integrated Peltier-based thermostatic control ensures stable sample temperature regulation from 5.00 to 75.00°C—eliminating dependency on external water baths and enabling ISO/IEC 17025-compliant measurement repeatability across environmental fluctuations. Designed for routine QC and R&D applications in GMP, GLP, and ISO-certified environments, the RX-5000i delivers metrological integrity through its synthetic sapphire prism (Vickers hardness >2000 HV), corrosion-resistant SUS316 stainless steel sample cell, and real-time thermal equilibrium verification.

Key Features

• Automated Peltier temperature control with ±0.05°C accuracy and 0.01°C resolution over 5.00–75.00°C range
• Synthetic sapphire prism ensuring long-term optical stability, scratch resistance, and chemical inertness against aggressive solvents and acidic/basic samples
• SUS316 stainless steel sample well compatible with cleaning validation protocols and resistant to chloride-induced pitting
• Intelligent prism self-diagnostic system that evaluates surface contamination and optical coupling integrity prior to each measurement
• Touchscreen interface with icon-driven navigation, supporting multilingual UI (English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, German)
• 24 built-in calibration scales (e.g., Brix, HFCS, NaCl, Ethanol, Glycol) plus capacity for 100 user-defined scales with polynomial or linear conversion equations
• Five operational modes: Standard, Continuous, Auto-Start, Pass/Fail Threshold, and Dilution Correction

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The RX-5000i accommodates aqueous solutions, syrups, emulsions, polymer melts (with optional high-viscosity adapter), organic solvents, and semi-solid gels (when pre-diluted or heated). Its wide refractive index range (1.324200–1.580000) supports analysis of low-density hydrocarbons (e.g., ethanol–water blends) and high-refractive-index materials such as glycerol–sugar concentrates or pharmaceutical excipient solutions. The instrument meets mechanical and electromagnetic compatibility requirements per IEC 61326-1:2013 and is designed for alignment with ASTM D1218, ISO 21745, and USP . Optional FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance package includes electronic signature workflows, audit trail logging (user ID, timestamp, parameter changes, result modifications), and role-based access control—fully validated for use in pharmaceutical manufacturing and clinical trial material testing.

Software & Data Management

Data acquisition and reporting are managed via ATAGO’s proprietary PC software (ReflaX™), which supports RS-232C serial communication and enables direct export to CSV, PDF, or LIMS-compatible XML formats. The onboard memory retains the most recent 500 measurement records with full metadata: date/time stamp, operator ID, temperature, n_D, Brix, scale used, and pass/fail status. ReflaX™ facilitates statistical process control (SPC) charting, calibration certificate generation (per ISO/IEC 17025 Annex C), and batch report compilation with digital signature embedding. All data transfers are encrypted (AES-128), and software installation packages include IQ/OQ documentation templates for laboratory qualification.

Applications

The RX-5000i serves as a primary analytical tool across regulated and industrial sectors: quantification of sucrose concentration in fruit juice processing (AOAC 932.12); determination of glycol concentration in aircraft de-icing fluids (SAE ARP4778); monitoring of API crystallization endpoints in biopharmaceutical purification; validation of cleaning agent concentration in CIP systems; and quality release testing of electrolyte solutions for lithium-ion battery manufacturing. In academic settings, it supports physical chemistry studies on solvent–polymer interactions and thermodynamic modeling of binary mixtures. Its robust architecture and traceable calibration make it suitable for accreditation under CNAS, UKAS, or A2LA scopes.

FAQ

Does the RX-5000i support automatic temperature compensation (ATC) for non-standard wavelengths?
Yes—the instrument applies wavelength-specific dispersion correction using the Cauchy equation when measuring at non-sodium D-line (589.3 nm) wavelengths, provided user-defined dispersion coefficients are entered.
Can the device be integrated into a factory MES or SCADA system?
Yes—via RS-232C or optional Ethernet module (RX-5000i-E), with Modbus RTU/ASCII protocol support and configurable polling intervals.
Is third-party calibration certification available?
Yes—ATAGO offers NIST-traceable calibration certificates issued by ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories, including uncertainty budgets per GUM guidelines.
What maintenance is required for long-term accuracy?
Annual verification using certified refractive index standards (e.g., ATAGO RS-1, RS-2) is recommended; prism cleaning with lens-grade tissue and reagent-grade acetone is sufficient between samples.
How is data integrity ensured during power interruption?
All measurement data and configuration parameters are stored in non-volatile flash memory; no data loss occurs during unexpected shutdown.