Crucible shuttle assembly and method of operation

A shuttle assembly for loading and unloading crucibles between a crucible loading station and a pedestal of an analytical furnace associated with an analyzer comprising:

• a shuttle including a pair of opposed crucible-gripping arms for simultaneously gripping crucibles on opposite sides of an axis of rotation, and actuators which open and close said gripping arms to selectively grip and release crucibles, wherein said shuttle positions said pairs of crucible-gripping arms in an outward non-facing direction;
• said shuttle including a head for rotatably supporting said arms;
• and
• a linear drive coupled to said shuttle for moving said head and gripping arms between a crucible-holding pedestal of said furnace and a loading station providing sample-holding crucibles for introduction into the furnace, wherein said shuttle includes a carriage to which said head is mounted and said linear drive includes a drive screw coupled to said carriage for moving said carriage between a furnace and a crucible loading station.