Miller Magazine Issue: 122 February 2020

54 COVER STORY MILLER / FEBRUARY 2020 graph-AT and Micro Visco-Amylo-Graph, as well as practi- cally all E-versions of the Brabender device family, i.e. Fari- no-, Amylo-, Visco- and Extensograph. SJ: Therefore, it is not always necessary to purchase the latest laboratory devices in order to capitalize on the many advantages of the Smart Workflow. The transformation into a digital laboratory can also take place step by step. The compactly designed MBC is approximately as large as a DIN A4 sheet of paper and fits on top of most Brabender devices when laid flat. With a standing width of 7.5 cm when up- right, it can be installed even in the tightest of laboratory workstations. To get started, a MetaBridge network is not absolutely necessary, although I would definitely recom- mend it. However, every device controlled via MetaBridge also functions autonomously or, alternatively, in an inde- pendently installed laboratory network. Speaking of networks, are laboratory information and management systems compatible? VS: Certainly, the sharing of information with existing programs is possible. Transfer in standard formats with Ex- cel or .csv is not a problem. The LIMS administrator can configure an open interface with a Web API for this pur- pose. Naturally, we also offer this as a service for our clients where necessary. SJ: Two additional major service-related arguments occur to me in favor of MetaBridge: The program runs reliably. But if it should run into any snags, our software engineers can provide rapid support without an on-site appointment via remote assistance. And in the case of incomprehensible mea- surement re- sults, you have the option of receiving di- rect plausibility feedback from us. How can we imagine the application of the “Smart Workflow” in the real world? SJ: Let me explain this with an example involving baking. The optimized addition of water leads to cost reductions in the pro- duction process and has a positive effect on the quality of the baked goods, so the question is: What is the best quantity of water for making the dough and a high-quality end product? This is how it works with Brabender's “Smart Workflow”: for de- termining the water absorption of a flour, the most important pa- rameter to determine is the moisture content of the flour which is usually 14 percent in laboratory tests. In reality, however, every batch of flour has a different moisture content. In the “Smart Workflow”, the Brabender Moisture Tester MT-CA determines the actual moisture content and supplies it automatically to the Brabender Farinograph-TS, which uses it to weigh out the nec- essary quantity of flour. When an expected water absorption value is unknown, the GlutoPeak additionally provides an initial, precise estimate. The Aqua-Inject dosing system connected to the Farinograph then automatically titrates the required quantity of water into the mixer. The “Smart Workflow”, consisting of the MT-CA, GlutoPeak, and Farinograph-TS, optimizes the test workflows and saves the data centrally in the "Labfolder,” from which it can e.g. be exported into LIMS systems. VS: The many functions of the software and the combina- tion of devices in networked interactions increase your expe- rience and expertise in terms of rheology. This facilitates the specialist dialog regarding quality requirements between the partners in the value creation chain, including the use of docu- mented data for certifications or audits. We cordially invite you to visit the application laboratory in our customer and technol- ogy center in Duisburg to find out more: Here, you can ex- perience the “Smart Workflow” live – and for digital natives, there is a video on YouTube with a quick run-through of the most important facts: https://youtu. be/tH0pClOKmcw The core component of the „Smart Workflow“ concept: the Brabender MetaBridge software. It can be acces- sed simultaneously on multiple end devices. Whether on a PC, smartphone, or tablet — the measurement results can be accessed from any location and measurements observed live.