Sartorius Manual Mass Comparator Cubis® MCM

Overview

The Sartorius Manual Mass Comparator Cubis® MCM is a metrology-grade instrument engineered for high-accuracy mass comparison in national metrology institutes, calibration laboratories, and accredited testing facilities. Based on the fundamental principles of substitution weighing under controlled environmental conditions, the Cubis® MCM implements the internationally recognized OIML R 111-1 methodology—ensuring traceable, reproducible comparisons between unknown masses and certified reference standards. Unlike conventional analytical balances, the MCM series is purpose-built for mass calibration workflows, featuring deterministic sequence execution, real-time environmental compensation, and built-in uncertainty propagation per ISO/IEC Guide 98-3 (GUM) and OIML D 28. Its architecture separates thermal sources—including display electronics and power supplies—from the weighing mechanism to eliminate thermally induced drift, a critical requirement for sub-microgram stability in Class E₁ and E₂ mass calibration.

Key Features

• Full integration of OIML R 111-1-compliant calibration sequences—including ABA, ABBA, and multi-step AB₁…B_nA protocols—to minimize operator-induced error and ensure procedural consistency.
• Dedicated Cubis® MSA control unit with high-resolution color touchscreen interface, enabling intuitive configuration of weighing parameters, sequence templates, and report formats without external software dependency.
• Onboard climate monitoring: models with draft shields include an integrated climate module measuring ambient temperature (±0.1 °C), relative humidity (±1 %RH), and barometric pressure (±0.1 hPa); non-shielded variants support external climate modules with identical sensor specifications.
• Automated reference data integration: certified mass values, nominal uncertainties, and material-specific air buoyancy corrections are imported directly into the measurement routine for real-time correction and uncertainty synthesis.
• Thermally decoupled design: the electronic control unit and power supply are physically isolated from the weighing cell to prevent heat transfer that could compromise long-term stability or repeatability.
• Comprehensive uncertainty reporting: every result includes expanded uncertainty (k = 2) calculated in accordance with OIML R 111-1 Annex C and ASTM E617 Section 8, supporting ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation documentation.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Cubis® MCM accommodates standard cylindrical, hexagonal, and parallelepiped砝码 (E₁, E₂, F₁, F₂ classes per OIML R 111) across 14 configurations—from 6 g to 64 kg maximum capacity. All models comply with mandatory metrological requirements for national calibration laboratories operating under ISO/IEC 17025:2017. The system meets the environmental monitoring stipulations of JJG 99–2022 (China’s national verification regulation for weights), as well as ASTM E617–22 (Standard Specification for Laboratory Weights and Precision Mass Standards). No external meteorological station or third-party software is required to satisfy traceability requirements for temperature, humidity, and pressure logging—data are time-stamped, stored internally, and exportable in CSV or PDF format for audit readiness.

Software & Data Management

The embedded Cubis® MSA firmware supports full GLP/GMP-aligned data integrity: all user actions, parameter changes, environmental readings, and raw measurement data are logged with immutable timestamps and operator ID. Audit trails meet FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when deployed with optional user authentication and electronic signature modules. Reports include full metadata—reference standard IDs, calibration dates, environmental conditions at time of measurement, sequence type, and GUM-compliant uncertainty budgets. Data export is compatible with LIMS integration via USB or Ethernet (OPC UA optional), and no proprietary runtime environment is required for review or archival.

Applications

• Primary and secondary calibration of weight standards (E₁ through F₂ classes) in NMIs and accredited calibration labs.
• Verification and adjustment of high-precision mass standards used in pharmaceutical QC labs complying with USP and EP 2.1.5.
• Inter-laboratory comparison studies requiring documented uncertainty budgets and environmental traceability.
• Validation of mass measurement processes under ISO/IEC 17025 clause 7.7 and ILAC-G8:2021.
• Research applications involving density determination, buoyancy correction modeling, and gravitational acceleration sensitivity analysis.

FAQ

Does the Cubis® MCM require external climate monitoring equipment?

No—integrated climate sensors (for shielded models) or optional external modules provide full environmental parameter acquisition in compliance with OIML R 111-1 Section 6.2.1.
Can the MCM perform automatic uncertainty calculation per OIML R 111-1 Annex C?

Yes—the system computes expanded uncertainty (k = 2) using Type A and Type B components, including repeatability, resolution, eccentricity, magnetic susceptibility, and air buoyancy effects.
Is the touchscreen interface programmable for custom calibration sequences?

The interface supports user-defined sequence templates within the constraints of OIML R 111-1–validated protocols; non-standard sequences require firmware validation by Sartorius Metrology Services.
How is thermal interference mitigated during extended measurement sessions?

By physically separating the display/control electronics from the weighing cell and implementing active thermal stabilization in the draft shield enclosure.
What data formats are supported for report export and LIMS integration?

CSV, PDF/A-1b, and XML (via optional OPC UA server); all exports retain full audit trail linkage and digital signatures where enabled.