New Automatic Sample Injection System for Next-Generation Laboratories

Shimadzu, one of the world leaders in analytical instrumentation, has announced the release of the AOC-30 series of automatic sample injection systems for gas chromatographs. In addition to high basic performance levels, the new AOC-30 series offers enhanced functionality that ensures reliable, long-term operation and supports working remotely. The space-saving design makes it easier to mount on GC or GC/MS systems with limited space availability and facilitates system expansion based on analytical objectives.

The system and software design are based on Shimadzu’s cumulative expertise and knowledge; in 2020, the company celebrated the 50th anniversary of its first AOC series. Equipped with unique technologies and functionalities, the AOC-30 series automatic sample injection systems offer the automation, productivity and remote operability needed for next-generation laboratories. The new AOC-30 series helps ensure that anyone can operate the instrument and obtain expert-level results for routine analysis work in pharmaceutical, chemical and environmental fields.

Grows according to needs

• The AOC-30 series grows flexibly with each laboratory’s needs with several upgrade possibilities:
• The AOC-30i Single Tower autoinjector carries 30 samples and provides intelligent wash possibilities with 4 different solvents
• the AOC-30i Dual Tower features higher sample-throughput by simultaneous injection with two autoinjectors on one GC-2030
• as automatic sample injection system, the combined AOC-30i autoinjector and AOC-20sU sampler cover an increased capacity of 150 vials automatic sample injection system: the AOC-30i Dual Tower with sampler achieves high throughput with a capacity of up to 150 vials.

Background

Autoinjectors such as the AOC-30 series use a syringe to draw samples from vials loaded in a tray and inject them into the GC or GC/MS unit, whereas autosamplers do not have injection functionality but are used to supply samples to the autoinjector. Both units combined are called automatic sample injection systems. By mechanising the manual sampling (sample injection) process, they help to increase productivity and improve the accuracy of simultaneous multi-analyte analysis.

The new AOC-30 series stands for powerful support and improved work efficiency and reliability of GC analysis.  Special features and benefits are:

1. High reliability for long-term automatic analysis reducing time spent in the laboratory

The extended service life of consumables and the enhanced rinsing functionality for reducing sample carryover help to achieve the highest analytical accuracy levels in the industry over long periods. By reducing instrument maintenance frequency and maintenance time, it minimises the time operators need to remain in the laboratory and supports remote operability for laboratory processes.

2. Space efficiency and high expandability, improving laboratory productivity

Despite a compact size that fits within the GC unit footprint, it enables automatic analysis of 30 samples to support a wide variety of routine analyses. It also allows for system expansion, such as by adding an autosampler that can expand capacity to 150 samples or by connecting two autoinjectors to one GC unit to double the processing capacity. This offers flexibility for configuring of systems based on a given application to achieve efficient operation.

3. The operability of AOC-30 series systems enables expert-level analysis

‘Analytical Intelligence’ functionality is included to ensure that expert-level measurement results can be obtained simply by selecting the analysis purpose with a single click. This new concept for analytical instruments offered by Shimadzu makes lab management simple and enables higher productivity, maximum reliability and better connectivity. It relieves operators from organisational, input and processing tasks.

Extensive functionality is included to support working from home or remotely, and includes features such as checking of system status or performing operations for everything from starting up the system to finishing analysis.

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