Advanced Instruments and Ram Mechanical Unveil Industry’s 1st Fully Automated Dairy Lab Sample Handling and Analysis System

– The new “CombiScope AutoLab” teams robotic system and CombiScopes to automate and deliver consistent, reliable results and cost savings –

Tulare, Calif. – February 15, 2007 — Advanced Instruments, Inc. and RAM Mechanical, Inc. today introduced the CombiScope™ AutoLab™, the dairy industry’s first fully automated dairy laboratory sample handing and analysis system.

The revolutionary new CombiScope AutoLab fully automates the entire dairy herd improvement (DHI) or payment lab sampling and analysis process – start to finish. The CombiScope AutoLab consists of a RAM Mechanical industrial robot/sample preparation system and one or more Delta Instruments CombiScope™ Analyzers. The automation, custom built and programmed by RAM Mechanical, provides consistent, reliable sample preparation and handling. The CombiScope performs precise component analysis and high-speed somatic cell counting.

“The CombiScope AutoLab combines the best in class technology from the world of industrial automation and the dairy laboratory,” said Peter Costas, vice president, sales and marketing, Advanced Instruments. “The result represents the pinnacle in dairy laboratory automation and sets a new standard of excellence and benefits for DHIAs, their patrons, payment labs and the industry.”

At the high-volume dairy laboratories of the Central Counties DHIA in Atwater, Calif., the CombiScope AutoLab is already delivering more reliable results and higher productivity.

“The improved analyzer performance is due to more consistent and uniform sample handling. The lab also benefits from lower workers’ compensation exposure through the reduction of repetitive stress activities. The increased labor efficiencies and cost savings will positively impact the lab’s bottom line,” said Costas.

At the Central Counties DHIA, the CombiScope AutoLab includes one robot feeding two CombiScopes. There, the robot begins each testing cycle by retrieving vials from a 10 by 10 rack, rinses the exterior then submits them to a heated water bath, when optimum temperature is reached the vials are removed, next the CombiScope AutoLab removes their caps, and places the vials into CombiScopes, which analyze the samples and reports the results. The robot then removes the vials, dumps the contents, then washes, brushes, rinses, dries, adds preservative, recaps, and returns the vials to a rack.

Costas said the two companies would offer a custom designed CombiScope AutoLab system to meet the specific needs and operations of each dairy laboratory.

Ram Mechanical’s twenty plus years of experience in the material handling and bulk bottled water industries have driven the move to automation and robotics. Within a few short years Ram’s experience in robotics has redefined s the concept of high-speed flexible rack loading and un-loading systems in the 5 gallon bottled water market.

“We are applying the benefits of our expertise – in what we think is a very dramatic and revolutionary approach – to the dairy laboratories,” said Steve Nelson, General Manager of Automated Systems, at Ram Mechanical.

“Our approach was simple” states James A. Frias, President Ram Mechanical, Inc. “We brought the lessons learned from our exposure in other industries, combined it with the expertise of industry leaders in this arena, Central Counties DHIA and Advanced Instruments, and together we have created true innovation”.

For more information, call (800)-225-4034 or +1(781) 320-9000, ext. 2159, or visit the CombiScope AutoLab web page at www.aicompanies.com/AutoLab.

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