SYSTAG Flexy CUBE Automated Parallel Reaction System
| Brand | Systag |
|---|---|
| Origin | Switzerland |
| Model | Flexy CUBE |
| Reactor Volume Options | 100 / 250 / 400 mL |
| Material | Stainless Steel (316L) |
| Operating Pressure Range | Up to 10 bar(g) |
| Vacuum Capability | Down to 50 mbar(abs) |
| Temperature Control Range | –20 °C to +200 °C |
| Stirring Speed | 0–1200 rpm with Real-Time Torque Monitoring |
| Integrated Calorimetry | Heat Flow Measurement via Jacket Calorimetry |
| pH Control | Automatic Titration with Programmable Setpoints or Profile-Based Control |
| Liquid/Gas Dosing | Precision Syringe Pumps & Mass Flow Controllers |
| Distillation/Reflux | Automated Condenser & Receiver Management |
| In Situ Analytics | Turbidity, Particle Size (via focused beam reflectance), and FTIR Spectroscopy Interfaces |
| Software Compliance | 21 CFR Part 11 Ready with Audit Trail, Electronic Signatures, and User Access Levels |
Overview
The SYSTAG Flexy CUBE is a modular, fully automated parallel reaction platform engineered for high-fidelity process development in synthetic chemistry, pharmaceutical process R&D, and fine chemical manufacturing. Based on the Couette-type jacketed reactor principle with integrated thermal management, the system enables simultaneous execution of up to four independent reactions under precisely controlled and individually programmable conditions—including temperature, pressure, agitation, dosing, pH, and real-time calorimetric monitoring. Each reactor module operates as a self-contained unit with dedicated sensors, actuators, and control loops, eliminating cross-talk and ensuring experimental integrity across parallel campaigns. Designed and manufactured in Switzerland, the Flexy CUBE adheres to ISO 9001-certified production standards and meets mechanical safety requirements per PED 2014/68/EU and electrical compliance per IEC 61000-6-3/6-4.
Key Features
- Independent multi-reactor architecture: Four interchangeable reactor vessels (100 mL, 250 mL, or 400 mL) mounted on individual motorized lift columns with automatic sealing and alignment.
- Comprehensive process parameter control: PID-regulated temperature control via dual-circuit thermostatic jackets; pressure/vacuum regulation using proportional solenoid valves and absolute pressure transducers.
- Real-time reaction calorimetry: Jacket-based heat flow calculation with ±5% accuracy (vs. reference calibration), supporting both dynamic and quasi-adiabatic modes for enthalpy profiling.
- Automated liquid and gas handling: Integrated syringe pumps (0.01–50 mL/min, ±0.5% repeatability) and thermal mass flow controllers (0–100 sccm N₂, ±1% FS) with solvent compatibility databases and leak detection logic.
- In situ analytical integration: Standard interfaces for third-party probes including turbidity (Nephelometric units), FBRM® particle count/distribution, and transmission-mode FTIR flow cells with chemometric preprocessing support.
- Robust mechanical construction: All wetted parts fabricated from electropolished AISI 316L stainless steel; glass-lined options available for highly corrosive media; IP54-rated enclosure for laboratory environments.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Flexy CUBE accommodates heterogeneous, multiphase, and catalytic reaction systems—ranging from homogeneous organometallic couplings to heterogeneous hydrogenations and acid-catalyzed esterifications. It supports operation with flammable solvents (e.g., THF, EtOAc, MeOH), strong acids/bases (HCl, H₂SO₄, NaOH), and gaseous reagents (H₂, O₂, CO, NH₃) under controlled stoichiometry. The system complies with GLP and GMP documentation requirements through configurable electronic batch records, full audit trail logging (per ALCOA+ principles), and role-based user authentication. It satisfies functional safety criteria outlined in IEC 61511 for laboratory-scale process equipment and includes emergency shutdown protocols triggered by overpressure, overheating, or agitator stall detection.
Software & Data Management
Control and data acquisition are managed via SYSTAG’s proprietary ReactSuite™ software—a Windows-based platform supporting script-driven experiment sequencing, model-predictive control (MPC) add-ons, and OPC UA connectivity for enterprise LIMS/MES integration. All raw sensor data (temperature, torque, pH, pressure, heat flow) are timestamped at 100 Hz and stored in HDF5 format with embedded metadata (user, protocol version, calibration status). Export modules generate ASTM E2500-compliant reports, CSV/Excel datasets for DoE analysis (JMP®, Design-Expert®), and PDF summaries with annotated trend plots. Remote monitoring and intervention are supported via TLS-encrypted web interface accessible from validated corporate networks.
Applications
- Design of Experiments (DoE) for kinetic modeling and rate-determining step identification.
- Thermal safety screening (e.g., RC1-style adiabatic testing) and criticality assessment per CCPS guidelines.
- Crystallization process development—including supersaturation control, seeding strategies, and polymorph screening.
- Catalyst screening and lifetime evaluation under realistic process conditions.
- Scale-down validation for tech transfer from lab to pilot plant, aligned with ICH Q5C and Q8(R2) principles.
- Reaction mechanism elucidation using synchronized in situ spectroscopic and calorimetric signatures.
FAQ
Can the Flexy CUBE operate under inert atmosphere without manual intervention?
Yes—integrated nitrogen/argon purge sequences, automatic headspace evacuation, and continuous partial pressure monitoring ensure reproducible oxygen-free environments throughout reaction execution.
Is third-party probe integration supported beyond the standard analytics listed?
Absolutely—the system provides open analog/digital I/O ports, Modbus TCP, and RS-485 interfaces compatible with OEM sensors from Mettler Toledo, Hamilton, K-Tron, and other industrial instrumentation providers.
How does the system handle exothermic runaway scenarios?
It employs layered safety logic: primary control via jacket cooling capacity modulation; secondary response through automated emergency quench injection (pre-configured reagent reservoir); tertiary action includes immediate agitation stop, venting, and alarm escalation to networked SCADA.
What validation documentation is supplied with the system?
Each shipment includes Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) report, IQ/OQ protocols compliant with ASTM E2500-07, calibration certificates traceable to NIST standards, and a complete 21 CFR Part 11 configuration file package.
Can the Flexy CUBE be retrofitted with additional reactors or modules post-purchase?
Yes—the base frame supports up to six reactor positions; expansion kits—including high-pressure modules (up to 100 bar), photochemical LED arrays, or electrochemical cell interfaces—are available as field-installable upgrades with minimal downtime.
