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Process Analysis & Automation. Maximizing Investment Automated solutions of technology platforms. Malcolm Crook. Introduction. Who are PAA Why do we automate ? How do you automate ? What can we automate ?. Who are Process Analysis & Automation ?. Incorporated in 1992
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Process Analysis & Automation Maximizing Investment Automated solutions of technology platforms Malcolm Crook
Introduction • Who are PAA • Why do we automate ? • How do you automate ? • What can we automate ?
Who are Process Analysis & Automation ? • Incorporated in 1992 • Software supplier, OVERLORD • Offer systems integration services • Independent automation supplier • Experienced in multi-vendor platforms • GE/Thermo/Beckman/Caliper • Drivers for 75+ manufacturers, 220+ instruments • Unique software solutions • Tried and tested, over 350 sold worldwide
1998 2004 1986 1988 1995 Laboratory Automation Experience
Why do we automate ? • Speed • Reliability • Small workstations • Extend instrument operating hours • Cost effective analysis • Data and sample tracking
How do we automate ? • Specification • What, where, when, why & how ? • “by next month”, “flexible” • URS, FDS, FAT, SAT • Data handling requirements • System throughput • Hardware list • Integration software
1. Specification • User Requirement Specification (URS) • What do you want ? • Functional Design Specification (FDS) • This what we are going to deliver • Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) • Check it works before it ships • Site Acceptance Test (SAT) • Check it still works after shipping
High content plate reader Plate manipulator Peripherals 2. Hardware list
Thermo RapidStak Caliper/Zymark Twister II Hardware for automation 1
automate.it KiNEDx Mitsubishi range Hardware for automation 2
Real-time scheduling OVERLORD Workstation Event driven Time-resolved scheduling OVERLORD Scheduler Time driven Either 3. Control Software
OVERLORD Workstation Features • PC based, Windows Windows 2000/Windows XP • Hierarchical control for laboratory automation • Very easy drag and drop setup • Icon based, flow chart interface • Full password and user identification (with 21CFR) • Reusable procedures • Constructs automatically to aid user
OVERLORD Workstation Benefits • Simple, easy-to-use interface • If you can write a flow chart, OVERLORD is easy • Decisions • Can use the 220+ instrument drivers from the box • Feature to enhance functionality by using Microsoft Visual Basic scripts
What do we automate ? • Automated GE Healthcare Systems • LEADseeker • Holland, UK • IN Cell 1000 • Denmark, France, Holland, Sweden, UK • IN Cell 3000 • Switzerland, UK, USA • Other Automated Systems • Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Holland, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, UK, USA
Automation offers: • Operator free operation • Automated data file identification • Automated data file manipulation LEADseeker • ‘Black box’ on a serial port • Needs 2 PCs • Simple interface but slow for data transfer • Enhanced by incorporation of a LAN • Best suited to real-time scheduler • Variable plate read times
Automation offers: • Operator free operation • Automated data file identification • Automated data file manipulation IN Cell 1000 • Has native automation software • Involved interface but very robust • Best suited to real timescheduler • Variable plate read times • Control issues with time-resolved scheduler
Automation offers: • Operator free operation • Automated data file identification • Automated data file manipulation IN Cell 3000 • Has native automation software • Involved interface but very robust • Must be the master • Unsuitable for control by time-resolved schedulers • e.g. POLARA, Sprint, CLARA, SAMI
What can OVERLORD offer customers ? • What happens before the plate read ? • Automation expertise • Customer specific user interfaces • What happens after the plate read ? • Data handling expertise • Post run data manipulation • Database interaction • Installation expertise • Highly experienced installation team • All our installation engineers are also programmers
Conclusions • Some equipment has labour intensive feed times • Productivity is enhanced by automation • Overnight operation of capital equipment • Plate tracking is guaranteed by automation