Abstract：The preparation of metals samples for process control purposes in the iron and steel industry has undergone a significant evolution in recent years. With milling becoming the preferred preparation technique, new opportunities are available to users: First, Chinese manufacturers specializing in this field, offer preparation machines designed specifically for the purpose.On the other hand, the use of universal CNC machining centers broadens the range of available solutions. A review of the most important parameters affecting the performance of modern sample preparation machines as part of fully automated lab will help understanding better their contribution. The tighter integration of sample preparation in the new generation of automated optical emission spectrometers (OES), X-ray fluorescence spectrometers (XRF) and fire assay analyzers (FAA) allows exploiting the full potential of modern sample preparation systems in terms of speed and throughput, flexibility, cost of ownership and lifetime.
