LabTech Acid6 Automated Liquid Dispensing System

Overview

The LabTech Acid6 Automated Liquid Dispensing System is an engineered solution for precise, safe, and high-throughput liquid handling in analytical laboratories performing acid digestion, sample preparation for ICP-MS/OES, trace metal analysis, and environmental or geochemical testing. Built on a modular XYZ three-axis robotic architecture, the Acid6 employs positive-displacement peristaltic pumping technology with chemically inert PFA fluid pathways to deliver reproducible reagent addition under controlled atmospheric conditions. Its core design addresses critical operational constraints in regulated wet chemistry labs: operator exposure to corrosive fumes (e.g., HNO₃, HF, HCl), reagent cross-contamination risk, positional repeatability across heterogeneous vessel geometries (e.g., Teflon® digestion vessels, quartz crucibles, polypropylene tubes), and audit-ready process documentation. Unlike manual or semi-automated dispensers, the Acid6 integrates ventilation, motion control, fluid delivery, and software logic into a single validated platform compliant with GLP-aligned workflow requirements.

Key Features

• Integrated acid fume management system: self-contained, non-vent-hood-dependent exhaust with HEPA-grade pressurized intake filtration—prevents ambient particulate ingress and maintains laminar flow over sample zones.
• Six independent reagent channels with auto-switching capability; each channel equipped with PFA tubing, chemically resistant valves, and programmable rinse cycles between dispenses to eliminate carryover.
• High-precision peristaltic pumps calibrated for volumetric accuracy within ±0.5% CV across 0.1–50 mL dispense ranges; pump speed and dwell time are software-adjustable per step.
• XYZ robotic arm with ±0.1 mm positional repeatability; accommodates vessel heights from 30 mm to 220 mm and diameters up to 75 mm—including round-bottom flasks, screw-cap vials, and custom digestion blocks.
• Wireless tablet-based HMI (Human-Machine Interface) with intuitive graphical workflow builder; supports multi-step protocols with conditional logic (e.g., “if vessel ID = X, add 8 mL HNO₃ + 2 mL HF”).
  

  Sample Compatibility & Compliance

  The Acid6 handles standard laboratory consumables including EPA-approved digestion vessels (e.g., Milestone ETHOS X, CEM Mars 6), ASTM D5681-compliant borosilicate glassware, and ISO/IEC 17025-accredited trace-metal cleanware. All wetted materials—PFA tubing, ETFE valve seats, and ceramic pump rollers—are certified per USP Class VI and FDA 21 CFR 177.1550 for contact with aggressive mineral acids. The system’s ventilation architecture meets OSHA 1910.1450 and EU Directive 2004/40/EC exposure limit guidelines for acid mists. Audit trails, user access logs, and electronic signatures are natively supported to satisfy FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and ISO/IEC 17025 clause 7.7 requirements for data integrity.

  Software & Data Management

  Acid6 Control Suite is a Windows-based application enabling protocol creation, real-time monitoring, and export of timestamped dispense logs (CSV/PDF). Each run generates a structured metadata file containing operator ID, method version, vessel map coordinates, actual vs. target volumes, pump calibration timestamps, and alarm event history. Software supports LIMS integration via ASTM E1384-compliant HL7 messaging and provides configurable alerts for low reagent levels, pump stall detection, or filter saturation. All configuration changes are logged with immutable timestamps and user attribution—enabling full traceability during internal audits or regulatory inspections.

  Applications

  • Automated acid digestion for soil, sediment, biological tissue, and polymer matrices prior to elemental analysis.
  • Sequential reagent addition in EPA Method 3050B, 3051A, 3052, and ISO 11466 workflows.
  • Standard calibration curve preparation with sub-milliliter precision for ICP-MS quantitation.
  • Reagent pre-conditioning of extraction vessels in microwave-assisted digestion systems.
  • High-volume QC sample preparation in contract testing laboratories operating under CAP or CLIA frameworks.

  FAQ

  Does the Acid6 support HF-based digestion protocols?
  Yes—the entire fluid path is constructed from PFA and ETFE, rated for continuous exposure to 49% hydrofluoric acid at temperatures up to 120°C.
  Can the system be integrated into an existing LIMS environment?
  Yes—via HL7 v2.5 message exchange or direct database polling using ODBC-compliant drivers.
  What maintenance intervals are recommended for pump tubing and filters?
  PFA tubing should be replaced every 6 months under typical usage (200 runs/month); HEPA intake filters require replacement every 12 months or after 2,000 operating hours.
  Is remote troubleshooting supported by LabTech engineering teams?
  Yes—secure remote desktop access (AES-256 encrypted) is available with customer consent and IT policy approval.
  Does the Acid6 meet ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 6.4.10 requirements for equipment verification?
  Yes—factory calibration certificates include as-found/as-left data, uncertainty budgets, and traceability to NIST SRM 2192 reference standards.