Application of novel balance systems: next step towards laboratory automatization?

Jef discusses the key differences between a classical balance and currently available automated systems from the good weighing practice (GWP) perspective and within the scope of ISO9001:2015 quality standard. The systems under review are: (i) manual analytical balances; (ii) semi-automatic systems; (iii) fully automatic systems; and (iv) integrated systems that use on-line coupling of the analytical balance with the instrument used for analytical measurements.

The parameters defined in GWP guidelines, such as accuracy, uncertainty, minimum weight, and risks (including out-of-specification results), will be evaluated for all of these systems. Additionally, data integrity, costs, and time demands associated with respective approaches will be discussed. Finally, the weighing process efficiency will be reviewed in three diverse example applications including gravimetric methods for pharmaceutical analysis, semi- or fully automatic balance in preparation of reference standard solutions in pesticide residue analysis, and the use of a fully integrated system in a high-throughput good manufacturing practices (GMP) release laboratory.

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