pipettechecker, calibration, pipettes, pipette calibration software

Introduction to pipettechecker-pipette calibration software

Pipettechecker is a small windows program for checking whether pipettes (pipettaids) require calibration.  Small in size, it is intuitive and easy to use.  Either choose from a number of international standards or choose 3 set values, either way you'll soon know whether your instrument has passed or failed.  The output can be printed or saved to file.

Features

  • check whether pipettes require calibration according to new European standard 8655.
  • or according to existing European standard DIN 12650.
  • print to any windows printer.
  • save output to text files.
  • fully featured helpfile.
  • intuitive interface based around 3 tabs.
  • print preview.
  • cheap
  • works with win95, win98 and winNT
  • Background

    It is important to keep track of the accuracy and precision of pipettes since many scientific studies involve either dilutions made with pipettes, or the addition of small volumes of liquid to an experiment and this pipette calibration software makes it easy.  Two measurements are required for determination of whether the pipette is working properly, accuracy and precision.   Accuracy is the deviation of a measurement from a standard value or true quantity.  In a group of values, accuracy would be the degree of agreement with the mean (x) of the group of values from the standard value.

    Precision, on the other hand, is concerned with the closeness of two or more measurements to each other, rather than to a standard value.  It is measured by the correlation (or coefficient) of variance (%CV).  The %CV is calculated by calculating the standard deviation of a sample, then dividing this by the mean and then multiplying by 100. It is possible for a group of values to be precise without being accurate.  The pipette could be consistently inaccurate- but this inaccuracy could be very precise, for example if a pipette read consistently low.

    There are a number of different ways of carrying out pipette checks but the easiest way is the gravimetric method involving water.  A number of weighings of water are made onto an analytical balance of water at the uppermost allowable setting of the pipette and a number at the lowest allowable settings as defined by the manufacturer.  A conversion factor then changes weight to volume taking into account the atmospheric pressure and temperature of the water, both of which affects the density (and therefore the weight) of the water for a given volume. Calculations can then be carried out to determine the accuracy and precision.

    Usage

    The user simply makes ten measurements at the bottom end of the range of the pipette and ten at the top end of the range of the pipette then enters them into the program (after making a note of the temperature and pressure).  The program calculates the accuracy and precision according to pre-set values or several international standards.  The inevitable screen shots can be seen here.

    Terms and conditions

    This software is supplied as is without warranty of any kind.  The author cannot be responsible for shortcomings are errors in design or its misuse.  One user will be named on purchase.  They are responsible for carrying out the licence details.   No reverse engineering or unauthorized copying of the software is allowed (other than one backup copy).

    FAQ

    How much does it cost?

    A single user licence is £50 sterling, $70, or 70 euros.  A multi-user licence is £200.  Under certain circumstances (such as to users in developing countries) the program is free, please contact the author for details.

    Does pipettechecker track the performance of pipettes?

    No, if you want software that does that then you want one of the more expensive, larger and more complicated rivals.

    Still interested?


    Contact the author see bootom of the page
     

    Demo version!
     

    Or better still, download a fully working demo from here.   Note; this is limited to 20 uses or 90 days (whichever comes first)-for further details are in this file. Extract the files to a folder (keeping the help files recursed). If you download the demo and like it you should pay softwrap. You pay them via credit card following the instructions in the demo version. If you wish to pay by other means or for multiuser versions contact me as above directly. My computer is of course virus checked on a regular basis using the latest up to date antiviral software, but you download at your own risk.....

    News-more low cost scientific soutions are here and an update for pipettechecker see news for more details.......
     
     
     

    Introduction  screenshots
     
     


    Graphics by the gimp Graphics by the gimp






     

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