Automated sample preparation system FLEXSHUTTLE

fully automatedfor researchfor research and development

Product overview
Chemspeed FLEXSHUTTLE is a modular, shuttle-based automated laboratory system designed for end-to-end nutrition product R&D and quality control workflows. The platform supports automated formulation, processing, testing and data handling, and can be expanded to increase throughput or add capabilities as requirements evolve.

Key capabilities

• Modular, expandable laboratory automation platform
• Configurable automated laboratory design to match R&D or QC needs
• Shuttle-based navigation for material transport and sample handling
• Orchestration and execution of multiple workflows and task sequences
• Integrated dispensing of liquids, pastes and solids across small to large volumes
• Per-sample control of process parameters (e.g. temperature, agitation speed)
• Fully automated development workflows for nutrition products (examples: starches, sweeteners, cocoa powder, beverages)

Workflow — Generic steps for nutrition products

• Sample preparation / Formulation
• Characterization
• Processing
• Testing
• Data handling

Workflow — Example of detailed steps (example automated sequence)

• Load vessel 1 from storage
• Load functional lid from storage
• Dispense liquids (large) while stirring
• Dispense powders (large) while stirring
• Heat while stirring
• Dispense liquids (medium) while stirring
• Adjust pH while stirring
• Clean and store functional lid
• Wash and filter
• Crumble and dry
• Grind
• Load vessel 2 from storage
• Transfer sample into vessel 2
• Moisture analysis
• Label and store vessel 2
• Clean and store vessel 1
• Export data

Software

• AutoSUITE — fast, flexible experiment automation: design, execute, analyze and report experiments on a Chemspeed workstation using prebuilt or custom workflows composed of predefined tasks.
• ARKSUITE — laboratory orchestration: coordinate multiple systems and manual processes, centralize workflows, experiments, messaging, status and inventory management.

Benefits

• Increase throughput for R&D and QC operations
• Enhance reproducibility and product quality
• Reduce manual errors through automation
• Support digitalization and data traceability
• Free researchers from repetitive tasks to focus on development and analysis
• Accelerate innovation cycles

Technical specifications

• Modular architecture enabling on-demand expansion of throughput, specifications, features and workflows
• Shuttle-based automated navigation and material handling
• Integrated dispensing solutions for liquids, pastes and solids across a wide volume range
• Per-sample process parameter control (e.g. temperature control, agitation speed)
• Support for automated formulation, processing, testing and data handling specific to nutrition product R&D and QC
• Example automated operations: large/medium liquid dispensing while stirring, powder dispensing while stirring, heating, pH adjustment, washing, filtering, drying, grinding, moisture analysis, labeling and storage
• Software stack for experiment automation (AutoSUITE) and lab orchestration (ARKSUITE) with data export capabilities
• Targeted use cases: R&D and QC for nutrition products (starches, sweeteners, cocoa powder, beverages, etc.)
• Engineered to improve throughput, reproducibility and quality while reducing human intervention