ROLES:
Manager: Designing the mock/real robot experiment interface
Chemist: Designing and Preparing the Indicator Buffer Solutions
Software: Designing the mock/real robot control language
Hardware: Designing the mock/real robot command responses
OBJECTIVES:
The mock robot experiment is to reveal, in conjunction with operation of a real Zymark Zymate II lab robot, before a purchase is made, what problems the presence of a robot in the analytical lab may cause. These problems will relate to personnel resistance to the machine (Staff problems), programming problems, operating problems, and special needs for the solutions to feed the robot. The first part of the experiment is to learn and design a set of procedures that will expose the presence of problems, and give actual data on which to base a robot purchase. The second part is to execute the designed experiment, and make the purchase recommendation. The final objective is to have the Company collectively function as a whole mock robot, and in so doing record an isosbestic point for the indicator compound Brom-Cresol-Green. The Zymark Zymate II Laboratory Robot work gives a practical reference.
MANAGEMENT INTERVIEW:
The first part of the experiment is a consultation with Staff, discussing the plan for executing the mock robot experiment and projections on what information will be obtained. Assurance that the indicator Chemistry is understood will be sought.
Special attention should be directed to "contingency plans", should the expected responses not be obtained.
How well the mock robot functions have been mastered by Manager's Staff will be a critical discussion point.