The importance of well trained operators for NIR success

(Imagine) We have develop a good calibration taking care of a lot of issues, like the performance of the instrument: precision and accuracy, the variability of the samples and source of variance of our calibration set, the instrument drifts using a check sample, the lab conditions: temperature, humidity,...., the way to present the sample to the instrument: grounded, well homogenized, diluted, clean without impurities, chopped, dry,....

Now this model is in routine and different operators are going to prepare and scan the samples in routine. According to the spectra and results, certain samples will be send to the laboratory for reference analysis in order to increase our database and to improve the calibration. At this point we must be careful, and we have to train the operators in order to present the sample as better as possible.

We have to explain them the importance of a good sampling, how to grind and homogenize the sample correctly, how to pack it, etc. This includes the importance to clean dust from the instrument, to run the diagnostics and check cell periodically, the cleaning of the cups,....

It occurs very often that because of very busy operators, lack of personnel, carelessness, boredom, and other things the results, correlation of the spectra with the constituents, ...., etc is quite poor and we won´t get the expected results from the NIR, thinking that the problem is the model. So we are going to add all these variables to aour calibration set, and the results will decrease in value.

So take all this into account and keep the operators as well trained as possible and tell him the importance of their work in the success of the NIR.