System Connections: LabLink

Most organizations operate multiple labs at any given time, each with its own unique focus on the process. So while the individual labs are busy collecting samples and conducting tests, one of the most important functions is being missed: communication. To make matters even more difficult, the information they generate is typically only accessible from limited access points, usually located inside the lab.

The tests and data acquisition that are conducted within your enterprise’s various laboratories are like a lifeline to process vitality. Lose connection with the lab and it’s as if you’ve cut off the oxygen supply that fuels every part of your process.

With LabLink, the communication gap is fully bridged facilitating a bidirectional flow of information that results in increased awareness of standards while also boosting quality and profits.

Technically Speaking

LabLink is used to gather information from a variety of laboratory instruments and transfers the data collected directly into QIS.

Examples of typical instruments are:

• Lorentzen & Wettre Compression Strength Tester SE060
• Datacolor International E3000 Spectrophotometer
• Bekk Smoothness Tester 131ED
• Plus many other instruments

Any laboratory instrument with RS232 output can be interfaced to LabLink. Each instrument requires a LabLink driver to communicate with LabLink. The driver is simply a Windows ‘.dll’ file. LabLink is designed to run unattended on a workstation or server. All day-to-day maintenance can be carried out remotely through the main QIS program. LabLink works in a diverse hardware environment that includes network connections, serial cable connections and laboratory instruments from different manufacturers. For this reason, the system includes diagnostic tools for fault tracking and problem solving.

LabLink communicates with each of the laboratory instruments (instruments) via an RS485 network. Each instrument is connected to the network via an RS485 Node that also attaches to a handheld device used for additional data entry (terminal). The laboratory technician (tester) uses the terminal to identify the sample he is working on and then runs the test on the instrument. The host computer running LabLink connects to the RS485 network via a computer interface unit Master Node (the RS485 Master). Using this network, LabLink transfers results from the instruments directly into QIS, setting the status and calculating averages exactly as if the data had been entered manually. Once LabLink has been set up, it is designed to run as a service without further manual intervention.

Custom drivers can easily be written by QiSOFT to link directly to most systems that have interface capabilities. Existing customers are currently benefiting from LabLink installations with links to systems from:

• L&W (Lorentzen & Wette)
• Messmer
• Testometrics
• Mettler
• TMI
• Emveco