When just a few drops can make all the difference – how radar level measurement brings safety and security to laboratories

In modern laboratories, every process is meticulously planned and the degree of automation is high. Nevertheless, many level checks are still carried out manually – or with outdated technology. 

The problem: These older methods are prone to errors because they rely on floats or weighing systems.
Since measurement errors in the laboratory can have serious consequences, QuACX developed QuACX:smartRMS, an intelligent monitoring system based on VEGA radar technology. At its core: VEGAPULS 42, a compact level sensor, that measures contactlessly – with an accuracy of down to two millimetres.

What makes this level sensor so special? It sees what’s invisible! Even right through steam, foam or filter attachments.

VEGAPULS 42 is no ordinary sensor. With its tightly focused 12° measuring beam, it scans the liquids in bottles with narrow necks – without touching them. Thanks to its measurement accuracy of ±2 mm, the radar sensor detects even the slightest changes in volume.
Its radar-based technology works even where other measuring methods reach their limits and fail.


At QuACX, up to six sensors simultaneously monitor storage bottles and waste containers. They communicate with each other via IO-Link, exchange data and react to changes – virtually like a team. This teamwork is made possible by simple integration via IO-Link, which allows for one-time parameterisation. And these settings can be easily transferred to other instruments, saving time and effort when adjusting or expanding the system.   

The bright LED ring of the integrated 360° status display shows at a glance if everything is running smoothly or if intervention is required – even from a distance or from different viewing angles. And the best part: The level sensors are maintenance-free, validatable and fully compliant with GMP and FDA requirements.

What many people don’t know: An analytical laboratory is structured like a pharmaceutical production line.

Every analysis run is documented, every result released, every process step retraced. That’s exactly why reliable measurement data is so crucial.
The QuACX solution meets the same quality standards as large-scale pharmaceutical processes – only in miniature format.

Before each run: a kind of “line clearance.” Afterwards: precise weighing of the substances. Finally: automated measurement – and a level monitoring system that silently watches in the background.
VEGAPULS 42 is not just a measuring instrument. It’s the safety net for the entire system – invisible, but indispensable.

Many different malfunctions can interfere with the measurement process in HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) systems and even damage device components. To understand why QuACX relies on radar, just take a look at the following table, which provides an overview of frequent events and their possible effects on operation, measuring results and system service life:

•  Air enters the pump - Unstable flow, pressure fluctuations, inaccurate retention times
• Cavitation in the pump head - Mechanical wear on pistons, seals and valves
• One-way valves no longer function correctly - Reduced flow rate, equipment failure or error message
•  Pump seals dry out - Overheating, rapid wear, seal replacement necessary
• Air in the column -  Dryout of the stationary phase, poorer separation performance, shorter service life
• Air bubbles in the detector -  Signal interference, spikes, signal loss
• Interruption of flow during measurement -  Loss or shift of peaks, incorrect quantification

All these risks can be avoided – with a precise, continuous level measuring system that never gets tired.

Automated control, high compatibility and secure operation, combined with precise radar instrumentation – the QuACX solution QuACX:smartRMS hits the nail on the head. The following table shows the most important functions and the resulting benefits in the HPLC environment:

✔ Early detection of critical levels - No more surprise HPLC malfunctions

✔  Automated equipment control  - No human intervention necessary

✔ Retention of qualification - Validated operation is maintained

✔ Highest measurement accuracy thanks to radar technology - Unaffected by colour, foaming or vapours

✔  Compatibility with common HPLC systems - Easy integration into existing infrastructure

✔ Safe handling of solvent waste - Protection for people, equipment and the environment

Radar level measurement demonstrates its strengths wherever precision and process reliability are crucial.

The system is particularly suitable for these users:

• Quality control laboratories in the pharmaceutical industry with GMP/GLP standards
• R&D laboratories in the chemical industry and in life sciences
• Analytical service providers with high throughput
• GMP/GLP-regulated laboratory environments

For these users, VEGAPULS 42 means: More security, less work and costs, absolute control.

By introducing radar level measurement into its work processes, QuACX closed a gap that hardly anyone noticed – and brought a piece of the future into the laboratory.
VEGAPULS 42 proves that smart measurement technology is more than just automation. It protects equipment, processes – and sometimes even people.
Because when everything functions properly, when not a single drop overflows and no column dries out, that’s more than just technology at work. It’s trust.
And the confidence that QuACX has gained with VEGAPULS 42 – measuring point by measuring point, night after night.