Chrysos Jar Cleaning

Here’s the rewrite:

The HF-ACJC Auto Chrysos Jar Cleaning System is a fully automated solution designed specifically for mining and resources facilities that work with Chrysos PhotonAssay sample jars. It automates the entire process of sorting, decapping, emptying, cleaning, drying, and recycling jars and lids, replacing what has traditionally been a manual, repetitive, and potentially hazardous task with a reliable, continuous, and precisely controlled automated workflow.

Operators load Chrysos jars into the unit and from that point the system takes over entirely. The automated jar sorter orients each jar into the correct position before it moves to the decapping stage. Lids are removed and cleaned using compressed air and suction to eliminate residual sample particles, then transferred to a dedicated trolley for collection and reuse. The sample jar is inverted to empty its contents, with the extracted material handled according to the facility’s waste management configuration. Options include lean phase vacuum extraction, deposit into a Bulka Bag, or transfer via an optional waste belt to a nearby skip bin. This flexibility allows the HF-ACJC to be adapted to the specific waste management practices and site layouts of a wide range of facilities.

Once emptied, each jar moves through a multi-stage cleaning process. Compressed air and suction remove residual particles from the interior, while the external surface is washed with water to dissolve labels and remove contaminants. A compressed air drying stage follows, leaving each jar completely clean, dry, and ready for reuse. Clean jars are transferred automatically to a collection trolley, keeping the process efficient and free of manual handling at every stage. As alternatives to trolleys, operators can use 200-litre drums for collection or have the lid re-screwed onto its jar so that both components are recycled together as a matched pair.

The HF-ACJC achieves a throughput of up to 90 samples per hour in a single-lane configuration, with a dual-lane system capable of doubling that capacity. The dual-lane design also provides full redundancy, meaning each lane can continue operating independently in the event of a disruption to the other, ensuring uninterrupted workflow during continuous operation. This makes the system well suited to both small and large-scale facilities where reliability and uptime are critical.

Beyond productivity, the system delivers meaningful improvements to workplace health and safety. By removing operators from routine jar cleaning and decapping tasks, it reduces exposure to dust, hazardous substances, excessive noise, and the repetitive physical movements that contribute to strain injuries over time. Freeing operators from these tasks also allows facilities to redirect their workforce towards more complex and higher-value responsibilities. The system is built to comply with Australian Standard AS4024, the safety of machinery standard, ensuring it meets the strict requirements that govern industrial automation equipment in Australia.

The HF-ACJC has been designed with scalability in mind as part of AUTONOMA’s broader portfolio of modular industrial automation solutions. It integrates with other automation modules, allowing facilities to expand their level of automation as operational requirements grow without costly redesigns or modifications to existing infrastructure. The system is built with industrial-grade robotics and components capable of sustained round-the-clock operation, and is supported locally by AUTONOMA in Australia and backed by HF Engineering in Germany, providing facilities with access to reliable technical assistance and ongoing system optimisation from both a local and international engineering perspective.

The HF-ACJC is a practical, scalable, and robust solution for any mining or resources facility looking to improve the efficiency, consistency, and safety of its Chrysos PhotonAssay jar handling process.

• Automated Jar Handling – Sorts and orients jars, removes lids, cleans, and prepares both jars and lids for reuse.

• Comprehensive Cleaning Process – Cleans lids and jars with compressed air, suction, and water rinsing, dissolves labels, and completes drying before reuse.

• Flexible Waste Management – Supports lean phase extraction, Bulka Bag collection (no-cost upgrade), or optional waste belt to a skip bin.

• Throughput Options – Available in single-lane (~90 samples/hour) or dual-lane systems to double capacity with full redundancy.

• Safety and Reliability – Equipped with safety guarding and interlocks compliant with Australian Standard AS4024 – Safety of Machinery.

• Industrial-Grade Robotics – Built with durable automation components engineered for continuous 24/7 operation.

• Modular Integration – Seamlessly integrates with other AUTONOMA industrial automation modules for future expansion.

The HF-ACJC Auto Chrysos Jar Cleaning System is ideally suited for:

• Mining laboratories handling large volumes of Chrysos sample jars.

• Facilities requiring consistent, safe, and precise jar cleaning and recycling.

• Operations seeking to minimise manual handling, operator exposure to hazardous substances, and repetitive strain injuries.

• Workplaces needing continuous, unattended operation including after-hours processing.

By automating repetitive workflows, the system allows operators to focus on higher-value tasks, enhancing overall productivity.

The HF-ACJC is supported by an intuitive control interface designed to simplify operation and maintain consistent performance across extended production cycles. The system starts automatically upon detecting the presence of a jar in the sorter, removing the need for manual initiation and allowing continuous operation with minimal operator involvement. Real-time monitoring covers all stages of the process including jar orientation, decapping, and cleaning cycles, giving operators clear visibility over the system’s status at all times and allowing any issues to be identified and addressed quickly.

Waste management settings are fully customisable within the control interface, allowing facilities to configure the system for lean phase vacuum extraction, Bulka Bag deposit, or skip bin transfer depending on their site layout and waste handling requirements. Safety interlock management is built into the control architecture and aligned to Australian Standards, ensuring the system operates within defined safety parameters throughout every cycle and that appropriate protections are in place at each stage of the automated process.

The control platform is also designed with future integration in mind. Its compatibility with AUTONOMA’s modular automation ecosystem means that facilities can expand their automation capabilities over time, connecting the HF-ACJC with additional modules and systems without the need for costly re-engineering or significant modifications to the existing control architecture. This forward-looking design protects the facility’s investment and ensures the system remains a relevant and capable part of the automation infrastructure as operational needs evolve.