HTR from Anton Paar: The Rheo-Robot That Does It All For You

29 Aug 2007
Greg Smith
Analyst / Analytical Chemist

Anton Paar is proud to present the High Throughput Rheometer (HTR). A solution that completely holds its own - a fully automated, robotically operated rheometer. Not losing an ounce of MCR 301’s world-renowned accuracy – yet giving customers back their entire working day.

Measuring reproducibility is key. Economy and high productivity are essential. Ease-of-use is a major plus. Anton Paar’s High Throughput Rheometer meets all these wishes at once. HTR is an innovation landmark: the modern principles of high-throughput screening brought to full function on the ever-efficient MCR 301 rheometer package.

The basic MCR 301 setup remains as modular and customizable as ever - with the difference that HTR now performs all measuring steps automatically. In its standard setup, it processes 96 samples in a single run – working for up to 24 hours. Laboratory staff is virtually given back the entire working day.

Consistent, uniform sample preparation is the key to reproducible measurements – as is the complete avoidance of operating errors. HTR secures this. Measuring parameters and sample data are transferred to a monitoring database, all relevant procedures are defined and stored as job lists, and HTR gets to work. Samples are identified via future-oriented 2D datamatrix codes at the bottom of each sample cup – this data is also used for the fully programmable filling procedure.

Toolmaster reliably configures the measuring system, ensuring utmost measuring precision. The Rheoplus software 'sees to it' that all measuring procedures precisely accord with the customer’s pre-defined wishes. The measurements themselves are performed with concentric cylinder as well as with cone-and-plate and parallel-plate geometries – an absolute novelty in automated rheometry.

The sample preparation station and the cleaning unit can be adapted to the specific needs of the individual application. Moreover, the MCR rheometer can be equipped with different environment control systems. Thus HTR redefines high throughput rheology for a wide range of applications as different as dispersions, emulsions, coatings, gels, polymer melts, and even solid polymers, to name just a few.

The measurement data and analysis results can be transferred to a monitoring database. All Rheoplus analysis methods are available. Throughput is further maximized by not stopping for cleaning procedures: The parallel use of 2 measuring systems allows to continue measurements with one system while the other is being cleaned.

Anton Paar’s High Throughput Rheometer sounds like the future – because it is. And it is here to stay: Designed to withstand the demands of continuous operation, it will still be in perfect condition long after your investment has paid off.

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