The Intelligent Solution

ARL SMS-2000 Automated

Metals Analyzer

Analyze • Detect • Measure • Control™

e l e m e n t a l a n a l y s i se l e m e n t a l a n a l y s i s

An opportunity to seizeThermo Electron Corporation identified veryearly the importance of automating sampleanalyses to improve quality controloperations in the metals industry. In the mid80’s, Thermo was first in introducing a fullyautomatic version of its optical emissionspectrometers. Since then, the automatedARL metals analyzers with SMS (SampleManipulation System) have established ahigh standard of excellence in the mostdemanding applications such as the ironand steel industry. They are recognizedtoday as the reference in terms of reliability,life time and performance.

The latest ARL SMS-2000 version setsnew performance standards in speed,precision and capacity to meet the mostsophisticated applications.

Major productivity gainsWith the ARL SMS-2000, the samples areprepared and analyzed at a very rapid, fullysustainable and perfectly predictable ratewithout operator intervention. Operatingand analysis costs are cut significantly:• The results are available faster to

improve production turnover• More samples can be processed, so

frequently eliminating productionbottlenecks

• Qualified laboratory personnel can bereleased from routine duties

• Automatic instrument monitoringfunctions ensure that instrumentperformance is permanently under control

• A better usage of standards reducesoperating costs even further. Theiranalysis surface is fully sparked beforetheir automatic re-preparation

Better analysis dependability andqualityAutomation with ARL SMS-2000 reduceschemical analysis variation, eliminatesmany of the causes of measurement errorsand fully exploits the analytical performanceof modern Thermo’s process controlspectrometers.

All samples are processed underrigorously identical and reproducibleconditions following procedures defined andset up in advance.

Human variables, mistakes, subjectivefactors influencing analysis results anddown times are eliminated. Results aremore accurate and more reproducible;difficult samples can be analyzed withoutperformance compromise; less time is lostwith sample repeats.

Spectrometer monitoring and controlform an integral part of the automaticsystem. The most complex analysisprocedures are applied systematicallywithout the need for any operatorintervention.

A very fast payback

• More dependable and less expensiveanalyses makes for a rapid return oninvestment (typically less than one year),not only for the automatic system butalso for the spectrometer itself

• Smoother production flows with moreefficient quality control tools cutmanufacturing costs

• The critical phases of production aremonitored more effectively, so enablingcommitments to be given for compliancewith still more stringent productspecifications

Proven and recognizedtechnologyLaunched in the early 2000’s, the ARL SMS-2000 is the trustworthy successor to theprevious generations of SMS systems and aserious challenge to beat for manuallyoperated instruments. Continuouslyenhanced as a result of customer’s feedbackand experience, the ARL SMS-2000 satisfiesthe full range of metals production controlrequirements, from large aluminum smeltersto the most modern steel works, includingfoundries with varied capacities and needs.

They are used successfully over yearsby many well-known companies who relyentirely on Thermo’s ability to supplyreliable automation solutions and to supportthem efficiently for many years followinginstallation.

Powerful, multi-purpose andentirely customizableThe remarkable quality and speed of theARL SMS-2000 industrial robot combinedwith the unique ARL SMS automationsoftware provide an almost unlimitedoperational flexibility to cover all possibleapplications. This avoids having to redesignthe system each time and guaranteesoptimum support and evolution.

Personalized configurationThis single product strategy does not limitthe choice of the configuration best suitedfor your specific application and needs.

Options are available to simplifysample registration and introduction as wellas for further sample processing such asradioactivity measurement and samplelabeling.

ARL SMS-2000A third generation product at the leading edge of technology

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Production samples can beregistered manually. On-line registration bymeans of other computers (processcomputers, laboratory managementsystems) is also possible to avoid errors andsave time.

Thermo offers fully automatic machinesfor the preparation of metallic samples toprovide the surface quality required forreliable analysis by optical emission (ironand steel, cast iron, aluminum, copper,magnesium, zinc, etc). Many options areavailable such as magazines for sampleintroduction. High quality, reproducible andreliable sample preparation is an essentialcomponent of the automated metalsanalyzer which influences directly theanalytical performance and the systemuptime.

The samples can also be prepared outsidethe system and introduced manually in theARL SMS-2000 system for automaticanalysis.

The analysis results are immediatelyand automatically transmitted to addresseesaccording to their specific needs.

Laboratory applicationsThe system is fully compatible withcentralized laboratories equipped with oneor more preparation and analysis lines andlinked to sampling locations via air tubesystems for sample transport.

The system communicates with other

laboratory and process computers viasimple and normalized interfaces coveringthe full range of possible applications andproviding all the necessary functionality.

This permits to optimize theperformance of large automatedlaboratories while reducing commissioningtimes to a strict minimum.

In-situ analysisWhen the analysis must be closer to the process, the ARLQuantoShelter is the ideal solution.Also called the lab in a box, it is a cabin specially designedfor housing the automated ARL metals analyzer with samplepreparation; it is used when no protected premises areavailable in production to install the system.The system operates very much like a process sensor or anon-stream analyzer. The sample transport times are thenreduced to a minimum as the laboratory is brought to thesamples rather than the other way around.

A simple, efficient and very fastsystem designed for easymaintenanceThe automated ARL metals analyzer withSMS-2000 is designed to minimize responsetime and to optimize sample throughput.Each component of the system(spectrometer – SMS system – preparationmachine) has its own intelligence and workssimultaneously and independently of theother. This distributed processing concept,with each component working at itsoptimum rate, maximizes the systemefficiency; tasks are performed in parallelrather than purely sequentially.

For instance, samples are preparedwhile other samples are analyzed; theinstrument stand cleaning is performed inhidden time by the spectrometer,independently of the SMS robot.

Each system component can also beused manually as a stand-alone devicewhen necessary for maintenance or forback-up purposes.

The SMS system has its own “brain” inthe form of a Thermo automationworkstation based on a powerful PC. Thisdecentralization of tasks increases themodularity of the software and simplifiestesting, diagnostics and maintenance; veryfew spectrometer extensions are requiredfor automation.

The SMS robot stands on a chassislinked to the ARL metals analyzer. The robotcontrol unit, with its digital signalsinterface, performs all hardware monitoringfunctions, which simplifies considerably theautomation. It is located under the chassiswith the SMS power supplies, electronicsand the sample sorting and filing recipients.

High precision brushless AC-servomotors provide for an almost maintenancefree robot operation. Integrated absoluteencoder technology is used to achieve a

position repeatability of ± 0.02 mm. Theorigin is established once for ever when theunit is powered for the first time and thereis no need for complex, time-consumingreference traverses. The arm length is 0.5 mand the maximum speed of 2.1 m persecond provide for a sample handling speedno manually operated instrument can copewith.

Waiting positions are also used tofurther optimize throughput when severalproduction samples have to be processed:prepared samples can be stored temporarilyto free the preparation machine for theprocessing of subsequent samples.

More reliable, accurate andreproducible analysesThe global system reliability being no betterthan that of the weakest link of the line,each component of the automatic systemhas been selected based on very strictquality criteria, including the samplepreparation machine. The SMS software issubject to the most comprehensive testsever done by Thermo.

At the heart of the system is the ARL3460 or ARL 4460 metals analyzer with itsown PC and WinOE analytical software. Theprepared samples are transferred directly by

the SMS robot to the spectrometer stand.Their presence is automatically detected.The sample is then automatically clampedonto the stand table during themeasurements.

The ARL SMS-2000 robot automaticallyand very precisely shifts the samplebetween sparks as necessary to obtain aresult representative of the sample.

Bad sparks are automatically rejected.To reduce the processing times for difficultsamples, bad burns can be detected earlyduring the pre-integration with the ARL4460 metals analyzer.

The production samples areautomatically sorted and filed. Eightcontainers are available for this purpose.Production samples can also be returned tothe preparation system in large automatedapplications (for instance for centralizedsorting and filing).

The cleaning of the stand table and ofthe electrode is performed in hidden timebefore or after analysis, thus ensuring aperfect cleaning and the best analysiscadence. The electrode can also be cleanedbetween sample sparks.

A command panel is available tooperate the automatic stand when thespectrometer is used manually.

Automation tailored to your needs

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Automated unattendedinstrument monitoring andverification proceduresEnsuring that the automated metalsanalyzer permanently delivers quality resultsis essential to prevent scrap and rework inproduction.

Control samples are regularly analyzedand processed by statistical evaluationtechniques (SPC) to detect eventualanomalies.

Automatic instrument standardization istriggered by the system when necessaryand alarms are produced when manualinterventions are required to prevent thesystem going out-of-control.

For certification purposes, theinstrument analytical performance can bepermanently recorded and visualized in theform of control charts (SPC-Full option)without operator intervention. The SPC-Fullsoftware is not merely limited to instrumentmonitoring; it can be applied automaticallyto production control as well for quickreview of the performance and identificationof possible process improvements.

Type standards can also be used tocorrect response differences betweeninstrument calibration and the compositionof particular alloys.

Conditioning samples can be measuredto remove eventual stand contaminationwhen trace elements must be measuredfollowing alloys samples or for conditioningof sample preparation grinding belts.

The ARL SMS-2000 magazine forstandards is fixed and universal. It can storeas many as 45 cylindrical and/or conicalsetting-up, control samples and typestandards of variable diameter. Higherstorage capacities are available as options.

When a preparation machine isavailable, the setting-up, control samplesand type standards can be re-prepared

automatically in idle time, immediatelybefore analysis or at the request of anoperator. A specific preparation program isused to reduce standards consumption andsystem operating costs.

A rotation device turns the samples byabout 45° to avoid any bias in the re-preparation over time and prevent anysample inclination problems.

Full traceability of quality controlactivitiesIn addition to the analytical performance,events of interest can be recorded andcommunicated to other computers. Thesefunctions are fully automatic and do notaffect system performance.

Greater availability for processingproduction samplesDirect on-line user access Authorized userscan perform various tasks withoutinterfering with the automatic processing ofthe production samples:• Synoptic sample monitoring to display

their position and the status of eachsystem component

• Registration of manual samplesintroduced directly in the ARL SMS-2000

• Examination of the recorded systemactivities

• Request to run a control sample or tostandardize the instrument

• Pre-prepared samples can be introducedmanually into the SMS system

• SPC control charts can be displayed andprinted

• Analyses or the latest standardization canbe examined

• User accounts allocate the systemresources and protect the system againstunauthorized changes

Sample surface managementThe analysis surface of every standard is managed to perform amaximum number of sparks before having to re-prepare (savingon expensive reference samples and making more timeavailable for the processing of production samples).

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Automation to advance quality control capabilites An open and evolving product

Selective standardizationOnly the instrument channels ‘out of control’are then corrected. The number of samplesto analyze is reduced.

Simplified and efficientmaintenanceMany on-line diagnosis tools enable systemand component tests to be performed toreduce breakdown times. Remote diagnosesare available as a standard facility. Thesystem can be checked via telephone lineunder the supervision of Thermo’sspecialists in the factory and the softwarecan be quickly updated.

Simple restart procedures guide theoperator to start the system up again.

To ensure optimum samplemanipulation reliability, every type ofproduction, setting-up and control sample isgripped and handled by the robot as aspecific sample.

The spark positions are specific toevery sample; they can be easily and quicklychanged by the user to provide for the bestanalysis conditions.

OptionsA wide range of options is available tosatisfy your individual needs:• Up to 5 different production sample

shapes• Labeling of production samples on the

analysis surface or on their back • A vision system to select the best spark

positions for difficult sam-ples and rejectthem without analysis trial when theycannot be measured

• Sample collections and batchessoftware to facilitate the registra-tionand processing of repetitive series ofproduction samples (for instance,samples from aluminum electrolyticbaths)

• Security system compliant with ISOsafety norms

• Remote control of the automated ARLmetals analyzer

• Digital signals for communication withexternal customers devices

• Automatic re-preparation of sampleswhich cannot be analyzed

• Sample radioactivity detection • Larger standards magazine capacity• Sample registration via terminal or

network• Registration from the list of production

samples announced by other computersor using sample identification parametersrecorded on a network disk

• Chronological filing of productionsamples on slide(s)

A flexible and extremely powerfulautomation toolTo satisfy the requirements of the mostvaried applications with a standard solution,very comprehensive functionality and totaloperational flexibility are incorporated intothe automated metals analyzer software.This permits Thermo:• To propose, with the ARL SMS-2000, the

first generic spectrome-ter automationsolution and concentrate on testing asingle software version for all customers

• To release the most thoroughly verifiedsoftware components ever produced forspectrometer automation applicationsrequiring high reliability and uptime

• To ensure the full durability of thecustomer investment and simplify after-sales support of a product strictlyidentical for all applications

• To permit short installation andcommissioning times

Every SMS system is configured andcustomized by Thermo according to yourparticular needs before delivery.

Additionally, all the functions andoperating flexibility of the system remainaccessible after its installation. The ARLSMS-2000 can be further fine-tuned to takeadvantage of your experience in using it andto handle changing or new requirementswhich are difficult to anticipate. This greatlyreduces dependency on the supplier oncethe system is commissioned.

A strong, multi-purpose platformThe ARL SMS-2000 system benefits directlyfrom synergy effects with other XRF andlaser spark applications. It is designed,industrialized, documented, manufacturedand maintained according to ISO 9001-2000procedures. The result is unmatchedfeatures and performance with the mostadvanced automation system availabletoday.

Updates are regularly made availableby Thermo, as and when new possibilitiesarise. This expandability protects the ARLSMS-2000 system from obsolescence andkeeps it in pace with the fast evolution ofthe technology.

A unique automation product rangeThe ARL SMS-2000 system is not merelylimited to optical emission applications. Thesame system is used for the automation ofX-ray fluorescence spectrometers (XRF) andfire assay analyzers (FAA).• ARL SMS-2000 XRF version for the ARL

9800 and ARL 9900 XRF spectrometers• ARL SMS-2000 for the ARL Fire Assay

AnalyzersThe other Thermo automation products

include:• The ARL SMS-XY for XRF spectromoter

automation• The ARL SMS-3000 for twin OES and XRF

spectromoter automation

New perspectives for users of automated ARL spectrometers:

• One single partner and sole responsibility for metallurgical applications which requiredifferent analysis techniques (optical emission and X-ray fluorescence)

• Standardization of production monitoring tools enables the complexity of automaticlaboratories and supervisor training needs to be reduced

• Automation expertise, support and services worldwide

Specifications

Metals analyzers supported Models ARL 3460 and ARL 4460 with WinOE analytical softwareSample weight Max. 900 gramsProduction samples Shape: Lollypop single and dual thickness,

spemis, disks, cylindrical or conical (max. 3°cone angle)

Dimension: Within ± 1 mmHeight: 8 mm minimum (after preparation)

Setting-up, control, conditioning samples and type standards Shape: Disks, cylindrical or conical

(max. 3° cone angle)Dimension: 30-50 mm in diameterHeight: 8-50 mm.

Magazine for setting-up, control, conditioning samples and type standards Capacity of 45 samples: 5 columns of 5, 7 or 9 positions each

with respectively up to 64, 45 or 30 mmthick standards

Sample preparation system For ferrous samples: Single or dual belt grinding with milling MillingCup wheel and belt grinding

Options: Sample introduction systemsFor non-ferrous samples: Dual milling or cutting and millingOptions: Sample introduction systems

Sample preparation time andtransfer to the ARL SMS-2000 Depends on the type of sample preparation (25-75 sec)

Typical Production Sample Manipulation Times:

Transfer to the metals analyzer stand 5 secSample shifting for another spark 4 sec (5 sec for the ARL 3460)Sample filing and robot move to the next sample 6 sec (8 sec for the ARL 3460)Sample labeling (option) 5 secSample surface analysis by a vision system (option) 4 secStand and electrode cleaning In hidden time (except for the cleaning

between sparks – programmable – about 5 sec)Operates in parallel and independently of the robot

Response time and cadenceTypical response time (ARL 4460) with two sparks of 20 seconds each (including the result calculation time) 50 sec (54 sec with vision)Maximum analysis cadence per hour (ARL 4460 without sample preparation) 64 production samples without marking

and vision59 production samples with marking and without vision55 production samples with marking and vision

VariousFloor space requirements including the ARL SMS-2000 (in mm) Length 2800Without security system Width 840 (1170 with optional extension

table)Max. height 1350-1600 (with vertical robot arm)

ARL SMS-2000:Weight 200 kgSupplies 0,2 m3 air per hour at 6-10 barPower 230 VAC ± 10%, 50/60 Hz ± 2%, earth < 1 Ohm, 1.5 – 2.5 KVAOperating conditions Laboratory (except for the sample preparation machine)

BR41145_E 06/05C

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