"Moisture analysis is typically a classical gravimetric technique when analysing both food and animal feeds. As such there is a considerable amount of 'hands on' analyst time to ensure accuracy. Freeing up analyst time allowing focus on other testing was the drive and automation of tests such as moisture was key to achieving.
The laboratory was aware of systems on the market which it could use to automate the moisture analysis but dealing with companies with a trusted track record, allowing an easier route to commission any such testing, was very important under our accreditation. We have used LECO instrumentation for nitrogen testing for over 20 years and therefore we felt that initial discussion with the company was justified. The instrumentation was then purchased on time and on budget. Communication with the representatives and technical specialists during the purchase was excellent.
We have had a long association with using LECO instrumentation particularly in the field of nitrogen/protein testing and they are viewed as a leader in this field. Reliability and accuracy of equipment is very important in the enforcement field and our experience is that LECO instrumentation delivers on both. The instrumentation (TGM) purchased was also at an affordable cost which ticked another box for us. Time savings have been made as the analyst only has to weight the samples and set the instrumentation going and the rest is automated. Checking that the weighings are 'true' and to constant weight is the next intervention but this is clear from the analytical printout and takes little time and effort. So the time process of moisture determinations has now been optimised and we are achieving good external proficiency test results enhancing confidence in the figures reported to customers.
The equipment is robust, accurate and well priced compared to others on the market. LECO are a well established company with a long track record to producing high quality and reliable instrumentation. We are over cautious in terms of our suppliers of instrumentation in terms of the legal implications of the samples we are testing and the constraints of the ISO 17025 accreditation we work to. But LECO instrumentation we have used has never failed to deliver. Excellent after sales care is another bonus and engineers and reps are easily accessible."
