How to purchase analytical instruments
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Analytical testers are often involved in the process of purchasing analytical instruments; how should such instruments be selected? 1. When selecting an analytical instrument, one should first consider the accuracy level required by the testing methods. Do not purchase one that exceeds the specified standards, as that will result in high costs; nor should one opt for an instrument with lower accuracy, as this will not meet the requirements of the testing methods ； 2. When selecting analytical instruments, one should not rely solely on comparisons of the manufacturer, brand, and appearance; instead, it is necessary to evaluate factors such as accuracy, sensitivity, and baseline stability. In other words, a table should be created to list the above-mentioned specifications for the products from different manufacturers, allowing for a comparative analysis. After making a comparison, you will find that some foreign brands’ brochures do not provide complete information on the relevant specifications, as what underlies their high prices is an attractive appearance rather than performance ； 3. When making a choice, consider the issue of accessories and spare parts. Some brands offer lower prices at the time of production, but they charge high fees for consumables and accessories; in the case of foreign brands, the cost of replacing parts can account for half of the price of the analyzer itself ； 4. For high-end products that are not available in the domestic market, you’re at the mercy of others; as for mid-to-low-end products, they are largely homogeneous, so buying domestic products is the wisest choice. I throw broken bricks; let everyone offer gold and jade! This post was last edited by gjpx on 2009-4-18 12:13]
When selecting instruments, analysts usually choose those they are more familiar with. When comparing different models, it’s a bit embarrassing to admit it, but in my suggestions for selection I never paid attention to the issue of accuracy. Who would believe the accuracy values stated by the instruments? It is the users who know best whether an instrument is easy to use and whether its measurements are accurate! At the same time, the cost of use and the convenience of maintenance must also be taken into account. I am in favor of purchasing equipment that exceeds the standard requirements. If instruments are bought based on specific specifications, and the measurement environment changes slightly, those instruments will no longer be suitable for use. Isn’t that a form of indirect waste? Usually, horizontal comparisons are made along with vertical integration, leaving room for flexibility. In this way, as the company develops and the scope of analysis tasks expands, having multiple skills and the ability to use various tools makes it much easier to carry out one’s work. Just my opinion.
When purchasing instruments, you need to consider your own needs. Of course, you shouldn’t focus only on the present; you also need to think about what your company plans to do in the future. It’s important to compare different options, and the most crucial aspect is after-sales service. Instruments will eventually break down, and poor after-sales service can cause problems for your work in the future.
This post was last edited by xwtsq on 2011-7-6 at 11:52. An instrument that one is familiar with is not necessarily a good one. Would you dare to buy an instrument that refuses to provide specific technical specifications? Unless you’re an amateur. Furthermore, the development of the company in question cannot be used as a reason for purchasing above standard specifications; there is a significant price difference between balances with a precision of one ten-thousandth and those with a precision of one hundred-thousandth. 2# chengjingbao
Before purchasing instruments, especially those that you are not familiar with, it is advisable to conduct market research. Find out about the testing tasks you plan to carry out, what kind of instruments and equipment other professionals use, how well they perform, as well as information regarding accessories and after-sales service. One should not rely solely on what the manufacturer says.
Order the instrument by taking into account previous usage experience, future usage requirements, as well as price and performance. If it needs to be imported, then it’s imported.
Imported analytical instruments also have issues with after-sales service
Reply to 6# jothan: Similarly, if it’s domestic, then it should be domestic!
It’s a good idea to compare different options; it’s best to ask those who have used similar products in the past for their advice. Usually, we consult our peers in the industry and ask them for samples so that the manufacturers can test them for us. Hehe, then we decide whether to proceed with the purchase or not
Reply to 10# dd1213230: No, that’s not right either. The instruments we purchase, such as atomic absorption spectrometers, X-ray fluorescence analyzers, ICp devices, etc., can also be considered instruments. It seems that these instruments aren’t custom-made. When sales representatives came to us before, we asked them to test some samples for us first. That’s indeed the case. But maybe these companies aren’t very well-known; they’re not big international firms like those from abroad – they are rather small domestic companies. Still, when deciding which company to buy from, we took many factors into consideration. (*^__^*) Hehe……
Reply to 12# dd1213230 {:1_90:} I don’t have one either; X-ray fluorescence devices cost more than 150,000 yuan. Hehe, I’m not familiar with online versions of such devices. I’ve seen them before, but they stopped working after just a few days of use, as they were used for testing mineral slurries. I might ask you for advice regarding online instruments sometime, hehe. Also, ICP devices also cost more than 150,000 yuan, bro