This paper describes the development of an automated sample translatory type apparatus capable of measuring the magnetocaloric effect of potential magnetic refrigerants over the temperature range 10 to 325 K in applied fields of up to 9 T. A QuantumDesign®Physical Property Measurement System has been used as the host platform. The emphasis of the design is on rapid and accurate automated measurements with field slew rates of 9 T per second. Measurement repeatabilities of±30 mKhave been achieved. Results are presented for the rare earth metals gadolinium, dysprosium and holmium, and a gadolinium-yttrium alloy. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.