Test strips are fast, inexpensive and convenient — but visual interpretation can introduce variability. The QUANTOFIX® Relax reflectometer bridges the gap: it preserves the ease of dip-and-read strips while delivering objective, instrument-grade results. For Australian food, dairy and QA teams that depend on quick, reproducible checks, the Relax is a practical step into instrumental analysis without changing consumables.
Why instrumented strip reading matters
Visual readings are useful for rapid decisions, but they suffer from:
inter-operator variability,
lighting and human perception differences,
difficulty documenting results for audits.
The QUANTOFIX Relax removes these variables by optically measuring strip reactions and returning numerical results, eliminating guesswork and improving traceability for compliance or internal QA. Multiple vendor documents note that the Relax converts semi-quantitative strips into reproducible, objective values suitable for documentation and decision-making.
Key benefits for dairy, food and environmental testing
No special strips required: The Relax reads standard QUANTOFIX® and pH-Fix strips — so you can keep current supplies and workflows while upgrading result quality.
Improved accuracy vs visual reading: The optics and reflectance technology deliver much tighter agreement than human estimation — vendors report typical measurement accuracy of ≤10% for many parameters, a level rarely achieved by visual reads.
Objective pass/fail decisions: Numeric outputs remove ambiguous “between gradations” calls and simplify SOPs for frontline staff.
Fast throughput & documentation: Results are printed immediately or stored in the unit for later retrieval — critical for audit trails and production logs.
Practical features & technical highlights
Compatibility: Reads QUANTOFIX® and pH-Fix strips — no custom strips required.
Measurement precision: Proven reflectance optics with typical accuracy ≤10% for many analytes (significantly better than unaided visual checks).
Data handling & outputs: On-board storage of results, instant printout options, and export interfaces to connect to lab PCs or information systems — helping integrate strip tests into LIMS or quality logs.
Physical & operating specs: Compact footprint (approx 160 × 200 × 75 mm) and typical operating temperatures in the normal lab range (about 10–40 °C), making it suitable for bench, mobile van, or plant-room use.
Accessories: Optional printer paper rolls, barcode scanner and carrying cases exist to streamline fieldwork or high-volume testing.
Typical use cases in dairy and food QA
Pasteurisation checks: Objective pH and enzyme-indicator strip readings post-process to confirm thermal treatment. (Use pH-Fix and related QUANTOFIX strips.)
Sanitation verification: Rapid confirmation of residual disinfectants (peroxide, chlorine) on equipment or packaging, with the reliability of instrument readings to support sanitation logs.
On-site vendor/collection checks: At milk collection points or mobile quality control stations, the Relax allows quick, auditable checks without sending every sample to a central lab.
Data-driven value: what operators gain
- Fewer false positives/negatives caused by human interpretation.
- Stronger audit trails — printable reports and stored results back up corrective actions.
- Faster SOP adherence — eliminate “in-between gradation” discussions and shorten decision time.
- Cost efficiency — avoid switching to consumables that are designed solely for readers; existing QUANTOFIX/pH-Fix strips continue to work.
Integration & procurement notes
If you plan to standardise strip testing across multiple sites, consider:
adding barcode scanning for sample IDs (accessory available),
deploying the printer and regular roll supplies, and documenting interfaces between the Relax and your lab information systems (it supports PC connectivity and standard serial/USB options).
The QUANTOFIX Relax is a pragmatic, evidence-backed upgrade for teams that rely on test strips but want the repeatability, documentation and integration of an instrument. For Australian dairy and food quality teams seeking rapid, auditable, and cost-effective improvements to frontline testing, Vendart Diagnostics can supply Relax, together with the full QUANTOFIX strip range, keeping your workflows familiar while delivering measurable gains in data quality and traceability.
For Further Enquiry Contact: sales@vendart.com.au
