GCMS-QP2050 Wins “Best 10 New Products Award”

Shimadzu’s GCMS-QP2050 gas chromatograph mass spectrometer was selected to receive the 2024 Best 10 New Products Awards sponsored by the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Ltd.

GCMS-QP2050 Development Team Members

Best 10 New Products Award

The Best 10 New Products Award is awarded by the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Ltd. for new products developed during that year that offer superior originality and performance. It is intended to recognize products that contribute to the advancement of the manufacturing industry and the international competitiveness of Japan.

Haruhiko Miyagawa, Deputy General Manager, Analytical & Measuring Instruments Division (right) 
(photo provided by Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun)

The award ceremony was held on January 28, at the Keidanren Kaikan building in Otemachi, Tokyo. Haruhiko Miyagawa, Deputy General Manager of Shimadzu’s Analytical & Measuring Instruments Division, who received the award said “The GCMS-QP2050 boasts an innovative mass spectrometer design that provides consistently high-sensitivity data and minimizes labor requirements for maintenance. We are very honored to receive this recognition for developing the system based on market needs. Furthermore, this award will inspire us to continue satisfying the needs of customers.”

Smaller Size, Higher Sensitivity and Durability, and Also a Help for Users Facing Labor Shortages

Gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC-MS) systems combine a gas chromatograph (GC) with a mass spectrometer (MS) in a single integrated system that can be used to separate substances contained in samples and analyze their respective chemical components. They are commonly used in a wide variety of fields, such as to detect residual pesticides or additives in foods, to analyze pharmaceuticals, or to identify trace quantities of organic pollutants in water or soil.

Using GC-MS systems normally requires special knowledge, but workplaces that use GC-MS systems are currently facing challenges with a lack of experienced operators. Consequently, there is demand for a system that can be operated efficiently by anyone. Therefore, the Shimadzu GC-MS development team set a goal of not only increasing sensitivity but also making maintenance and operability easier. Those became the guiding factors for development.

GCMS-QP2050 Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer

That resulted in developing the GCMS-QP2050 gas chromatograph mass spectrometer. Maintenance frequency was reduced by up to 80 % by increasing the service life of the component part that emits electrons required for sample ionization. Furthermore, maintenance time was shortened from about 25 minutes to about 1 minute by using a consumable ion source, which improves operator efficiency. In addition to updating software to make it easier to operate by inexperienced operators, the MS unit width was reduced to 280 mm, the smallest class in the market. By completely redesigning the internal mechanisms in the previous model, the new model offers 2.5 times higher sensitivity and about 2 times or more longer-lasting durability.

Simplified Ion Source Maintenance Method

First Full-Model Redesign in 22 Years
Series of Difficulties from Start of Development

The GCMS-QP2050 is the first fully redesigned model in 22 years. Masato Takakura, the development team leader, recalled that “Because we redesigned all the major components of the system, the broad scope of the development proved challenging. With few team members who had previous development experience, it was difficult to determine which of the existing features could be freely changed and which should not be changed. Therefore, we received advice from many people as we successively made improvements by trial and error.”

Team Leader Masato Takakura (center) Explaining GCMS-QP2050 Functionality

Then, in the midst of the development process, the COVID-19 pandemic occurred. Takakura recalled that “The project was already very challenging, but when we were banned from coming to company premises due to the pandemic, we had no choice but to suspend development work. That resulted in the development period stretching to about 4 years.”

A particularly big challenge was simplifying maintenance. Development team member Shota Hata said that “We systematically reassessed everything about how the ion source is constructed, which previously required periodic maintenance. Previously, as the ion source continued to be used, it required essential maintenance tasks such as cleaning and polishing operations, but that maintenance is no longer required due to replacement as a consumable, which reduces the workload of operators. Customers have commented that the system has been easy to use and learn how to operate even for inexperienced users, which is very helpful.”

Development team member Shun Kogiso added that “For precision equipment like GC-MS systems, even slight design changes can interfere with other functionality. However, full redesigns involve changing everything, so it provides the best opportunity to address issues on the user’s wish list. During GCMS-QP2050 development, we tried to incorporate all customer needs and development team concepts, as much as possible, but the result did not satisfy all those needs and concepts. Therefore, for those of us involved in releasing the product, it is our job to also look ahead to the next full redesign."

GCMS-QP2050 Development Team Members From the left: Shun Kogiso, Masato Takakura, Yutaro Yamamura, and Shota Hata