Rigaku introduces new X-ray diffraction system with intelligent workflow automation

Rigaku Corporation has announced the release of a new X-ray diffractometer system with integrated sample-changing automation. The new Rigaku XtaLAB Synergy Flow system was first announced in the August edition of Crystallography Times, the electronic newsletter published by Rigaku focusing on single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

The new diffractometer system features an integrated sample-changing automation platform, designed to improve research workflow. Rigaku XtaLAB Synergy diffractometers are known for high-performance X-ray sources and direct X-ray detection detectors, a combination designed for high throughput. The new XtaLAB Synergy Flow system incorporates a 6-axis UR3 Universal Robot into the popular XtaLAB Synergy diffractometer, enabling unattended crystal mounting and data acquisition and thus the high performance of the instrument can be fully realized.

By incorporating a unique X-ray safe dewar-drawer system that can be accessed from the side of the cabinet during data collection, the XtaLAB Synergy Flow system avoids the problem of having to halt data collection in order to open the enclosure and add more samples. Data collection can continue unimpeded.

The XtaLAB Synergy Flow system is controlled by CrysAlisPro X-ray diffraction data collection and processing software for small molecule and protein crystallography, designed around an easy-to-use graphical user interface.

The system utilizes the Intelligent Goniometer Head (IGH), a motorized automated goniometer head with fast response and built-in intelligence. Automated sample centering can be as fast as 6 seconds on dual-camera systems.

As concerns about the spread of COVID-19 and other contagions grow, the XtaLAB Synergy Flow system can be used as part of a sample submission protocol that minimizes human contact. The XtaLAB Synergy Flow system was designed to take full advantage of the enhanced performance by minimizing the time that an instrument might sit idle due to lack of human interaction. With automated sample mounting, potential contamination of the diffractometer by human contact is eliminated. A crystal capacity of 48 samples means that unattended data collection can be easily performed, thus minimizing the time required to be in the X-ray laboratory.

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