Laboratory workstation for the pharmaceutical industry FORMAX LUBES

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Overview
Chemspeed's FORMAX LUBES workstation is a fully automated platform for unattended sample preparation, formulation, characterization and stress testing of lubricants. It is designed to handle oils, greases and highly viscous materials using patented overhead gravimetric dispensing and modular high‑precision formulation tools.

Key capabilities

• End-to-end unattended workflows for formulation and testing
• Customizable, scalable experiments and process parameter screening
• High-throughput development with traceable data handling and reduced cost per sample
• Integration with Excel, ELNs, LIMS and DoE software

Workflow (FORMAX LUBES)
The FORMAX LUBES workflow supports modular tasks: automated component addition, controlled stirring and temperature profiles, sequential additions (polymers, isocyanates, amines, additives, acids, intermediates), heating/cooling ramps, and staged mixing to replicate real-world formulation and processing conditions.

Benefits and features

• Patented gravimetric dispensing of solids, liquids and viscous materials during mixing, heating, cooling, refluxing and scraping
• Balance travels to destination for faster dispensing (resolution: 0.1 mg or 0.01 mg)
• Dispensing range from a few milligrams to several grams
• Full control and monitoring of formulation parameters including:
  • Internal and jacket temperature
  • Shear rate and viscosity
  • Scraping speed and adjustable scraper positioning (PTFE, PEEK options)
  • Reflux and pH
• Automated logging of mixing speed, temperature, time and full parameter traceability
• Precision formulation vessels (stainless steel or custom materials) with stirring up to 6,000 rpm
• High-viscosity handling capability (up to 1,000 Pa·s)
• Integrated analytics: pH, viscosity and temperature sensors; calorimetry; support for IR and imaging modules
• Flexible modules for blending (up to 60+ ingredients), characterization (viscosity, rheology, IR, imaging) and forced degradation/stress testing

Applications
Automated formulation and testing for lubricants including greases and engine oils, enabling sample preparation through real-world stress testing and accelerating time-to-result while improving data quality.

Technical specifications

• Platform: FORMAX LUBES (modular robotic workstation for lubricants)
• Dispensing method: Patented overhead gravimetric dispensing for solids, liquids and viscous materials
• Balance resolution: 0.1 mg or 0.01 mg
• Dispensing range: from a few milligrams up to several grams
• Stirring: up to 6,000 rpm
• High-viscosity handling: up to 1,000 Pa·s
• Formulation vessel materials: stainless steel or custom materials
• Measured/controlled parameters: internal/jacket temperature, shear rate, viscosity, scraping speed, reflux, pH
• Integrated analytics: pH, viscosity, temperature sensors, calorimetry; support for IR and imaging modules
• Blending capacity: up to 60+ ingredients per formulation (modular configuration)
• Data: automated logging and full parameter traceability; integration with Excel, ELNs, LIMS, DoE tools
• Testing: forced degradation and stress testing (shear, abrasion/oxidative degradation, temperature simulation combined with viscosity/imaging/IR)