© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd. 2006
Process Analysis & Automation Maximizing Investment Automated solutions of technology platforms Malcolm Crook
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd Introduction Who are PAA Why do we automate ? How do you automate ? What can we automate ?
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd 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
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd Laboratory Automation Experience
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd Why do we automate ? Speed Reliability Small workstations Extend instrument operating hours Cost effective analysis Data and sample tracking
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd How do we automate ? 1. Specification What, where, when, why & how ? “by next month”, “flexible” URS, FDS, FAT, SAT Data handling requirements System throughput 2. Hardware list 3. Integration software
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd 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
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd Hardware list Plate manipulatorHigh content plate reader Peripherals
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd Hardware for automation 1 Thermo RapidStakCaliper/Zymark Twister II
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd Hardware for automation 2 Mitsubishi rangeautomate.it KiNEDx
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd Choice of automation Simple system Small number of plates Plate move, plate read, barcode Any Thermo RapidStak most cost effective Simple system Large number of plates Plate move, plate read, barcode Caliper Twister II Simple system Small number of plates Super reliability Mitsubishi range of robots Multiple instrumentsCaliper Twister II
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd Control Software Real-time scheduling OVERLORD Workstation Event driven Time-resolved scheduling OVERLORD Scheduler Time driven Either
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd OVERLORD Workstation
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd 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
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd 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
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd 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
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd 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
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd with Thermo RapidStak
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd LEADseeker with Mitsubishi
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd IN Cell 1000 Has native automation software Involved interface but very robust Best suited to real time scheduler Variable plate read times Control issues with time-resolved scheduler Automation offers: Operator free operation Automated data file identification Automated data file manipulation
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd IN Cell 1000 with Twister II
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd 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 Automation offers: Operator free operation Automated data file identification Automated data file manipulation
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd IN Cell 3000 with automate.it KiNEDx
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd 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
© Process Analysis & Automation Ltd Conclusions Some equipment has labour intensive feed times Productivity is enhanced by automation Overnight operation of capital equipment Plate tracking is guaranteed by automation