CHEMSPEED FLEX QuEChERS Automated Sample Preparation Workstation
| Brand | CHEMSPEED |
|---|---|
| Origin | Switzerland |
| Model | FLEX QuEChERS |
| Sample Capacity | Up to 120 samples in 10 hours |
| Vessel Compatibility | 15 mL and 50 mL Falcon tubes |
| Automation Scope | Gravimetric salt dispensing, volumetric liquid dispensing, automated centrifugation, orbital shaking |
| Compliance | Designed for GLP/GMP-aligned workflows |
| Software | Integrated Chemspeed SWING® platform with audit trail and method versioning |
Overview
The CHEMSPEED FLEX QuEChERS Automated Sample Preparation Workstation is an engineered solution for high-throughput, standardized QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, Safe) sample preparation in analytical laboratories. Built on a modular robotic architecture, it implements gravimetric solid dosing and precise volumetric liquid handling—core requirements defined in AOAC Official Method 2007.01 and EN 15662:2018—to ensure metrological traceability throughout extraction and cleanup steps. Unlike semi-automated or manual benchtop approaches, the FLEX platform executes the full QuEChERS workflow—including solvent addition, salt partitioning, vortex-assisted mixing, centrifugation, and supernatant transfer—without operator intervention. Its closed-system design minimizes analyst exposure to organic solvents and reduces cross-contamination risk, supporting occupational safety compliance (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200) and environmental stewardship objectives.
Key Features
- Fully automated execution of AOAC/EN-compliant QuEChERS protocols, from initial weighing to final extract transfer
- Gravimetric dispensing of MgSO₄, NaCl, and buffering salts with ±0.5 mg repeatability, eliminating volumetric approximation errors inherent in manual pipetting
- Volumetric liquid handling across 0.1–50 mL range using positive-displacement pumps calibrated per ISO 8655-6, ensuring consistent acetonitrile and buffer delivery
- Integrated refrigerated centrifuge (4–40 °C, up to 4,000 × g) with automatic rotor recognition and imbalance detection
- Orbital shaker module with programmable speed (100–1,200 rpm) and dwell time, optimized for phase separation kinetics
- Modular deck layout accommodating 15 mL and 50 mL Falcon tubes, 96-well plates, and custom vial racks—enabling parallel processing of heterogeneous sample matrices
- Real-time process monitoring via integrated load cells, pressure sensors, and position encoders, with event logging at sub-second resolution
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The FLEX QuEChERS workstation supports diverse food, environmental, and agricultural matrices—including fruits, vegetables, cereals, soil extracts, and water samples—across regulatory testing programs governed by USDA, EFSA, and EPA guidelines. All hardware components contact-compatible with acetonitrile, acetone, ethyl acetate, and citrate buffers. System validation documentation includes IQ/OQ/PQ protocols aligned with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requirements for testing laboratories. Data integrity safeguards meet FDA 21 CFR Part 11 criteria: electronic signatures, role-based access control, immutable audit trails, and method locking functionality. Instrument qualification packages support GxP audits and laboratory accreditation renewals.
Software & Data Management
Controlled by the Chemspeed SWING® software suite, the workstation enables method development, deployment, and lifecycle management through a browser-based interface. Each protocol is stored as a versioned object with embedded metadata (operator ID, timestamp, calibration status, environmental conditions). Raw sensor data—including mass deltas, centrifuge acceleration profiles, and shake amplitude logs—are exported in CSV and ASTM E2500-compliant XML formats. Integration with LIMS (e.g., Thermo Fisher SampleManager, LabVantage) is achieved via HL7 and RESTful API endpoints. Secure data encryption (AES-256), automatic backup to network-attached storage, and configurable retention policies ensure long-term archival integrity.
Applications
- Routine pesticide residue analysis in multi-residue screening labs performing >500 samples/week
- Method transfer between central reference labs and regional testing facilities under harmonized SOPs
- Stability-indicating workflows for post-harvest degradation studies requiring strict temperature-controlled extraction
- Proficiency testing programs where inter-laboratory reproducibility must exceed Horwitz Ratio thresholds (RSD < 2× HorRat)
- Regulatory submissions requiring full digital chain-of-custody from raw material intake to instrument injection
- Research into matrix effects mitigation, where consistent QuEChERS cleanup efficiency directly impacts LC-MS/MS signal suppression correction
FAQ
Does the FLEX QuEChERS system support custom QuEChERS variants beyond AOAC and EN methods?
Yes—users can define proprietary salt compositions, solvent ratios, centrifugation parameters, and shaking profiles via SWING® scripting; all modifications are version-controlled and exportable as validated method files.
Can the system integrate with existing HPLC or GC-MS autosamplers?
It outputs extracts into standard 2-mL vials or 96-well plates compatible with Agilent, Waters, Shimadzu, and Thermo autosampler trays; optional robotic arm modules enable direct sample handoff.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for sustained GLP compliance?
Gravimetric modules require quarterly calibration verification against NIST-traceable weights; liquid handling systems undergo monthly linearity checks per ISO 8655-6; full preventive maintenance is scheduled every 12 months by CHEMSPEED-certified field service engineers.
Is remote monitoring and troubleshooting supported?
Yes—the system provides TLS-encrypted remote desktop access for diagnostics, with granular permission settings; predictive error alerts are routed via SMTP or SNMP to facility maintenance systems.
