Lab Automation Poster0 pages
From the Factory to the Lab:
nnnnjt Applied Robotics
nnnnSolutions in reach
nnnnFlexible automation solutions that improve quality and quantity.
nnnnINTRODUCTION
nnnnAs the life sciences market continues to
nnnngrow so does the demand for automated
nnnnsolutions that can meet the needs of
nnnnacademic laboratories and biotechnology
nnnnresearch companies across the country.
nnnnScientists in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology
nnnnand clinical diagnostics seeking to produce
nnnnfaster, more accurate data at a reduced
nnnncost have increasingly turned to industrial
nnnnautomation suppliers—who have overcome
nnnnsimilar obstacles in microchip and
nnnnelectronic applications—for flexible
nnnnautomation solutions.
nnnnApplied Robotics, a global supplier of end-
nnnnof-arm tooling, has responded to this need
nnnnby developing a flexible solution package
nnnnthat enables laboratories to acquire the
nnnnrobotic tools necessary to carry out the
nnnnmultitude of automation applications
nnnnrequired in scientific discovery. This
nnnncustomizable suite of products, including
nnnnservo and pneumatic grippers, microplate
nnnnhotels, tool changers, collision sensors and
nnnnconnectivity solutions, can be applied to the
nnnnuser's choice of motion systems—whether
nnnnit is a robot arm, linear slide or other method
nnnnof mobility. These products, which integrate
nnnneasily with each other and operate within
nnnna closed or open architecture system,
nnnnoften result in high throughput at a
nnnnsignificant cost reduction.
nnnnBy understanding the value of flexible,
nnnncustomized end-of-arm tooling solutions
nnnnthat Applied Robotics is able to provide,
nnnnlife scientists will be able to witness greater
nnnnefficiencies and benefit from accelerated
nnnnresearch and development processes,
nnnnreductions in human error, increased
nnnnvolumes of sample tracking and/or
nnnnimprovements in sterile conditions.
nnnnFLEXIBLE AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS
nnnnApplications Served
nnnn• Material handling (microplates, flasks,
nnnntubes, slides, tip boxes, etc.)
nnnn•Assay development
nnnn• Sample preparation
nnnn• Compound storage and retrieval
nnnn• Microplate reformatting-replication
nnnn• High-throughput screening
nnnnKey Performance Advantages
nnnn•Accelerated research and
nnnndevelopment processes
nnnn• Improved sterile conditions
nnnn• Increased production volumes
nnnn• Greater precision
nnnn• Reduction in human errors
nnnn• Reduction in human injuries
nnnn• Conserved laboratory space
nnnn• Decreased costs
nnnnAPPLIED ROBOTICS SOLUTIONS AT WORK
nnnnThis diagram demonstrates how
nnnnApplied Robotics solution components can
nnnnbe integrated to automate a more effective,
nnnnmore efficient laboratory process.
nnnnRobot
nnnnINCREASE EFFICIENCY. REDUCE COSTS.
nnnnCollision
nnnnSensor
nnnnTool
nnnnChanger
nnnnServo
nnnnGripper
nnnnMicroplate
nnnnHotel
nnnnProblem | Solution | Result | Savings |
Timing problem with robot instrument interface leads to tool crashing and assay failure | Collision sensor | Preservation of experiments that would otherwise be lost | $10,000 to $100,000 or more (excluding costs associated with tool damage) |
Automated plate handling and pipetting for plate reformatting applications are currently performed by two robots | Tool changer | One robot ready to handle multiple tasks | $25,000 or more per robot |
Plates needing handling in both landscape and portrait orientation | Servo gripper with force sensing and feedback | Programmable to accommodate plates in varying orientations, eliminating the need for additional tooling | $1,000 to $5,000 per robot $25,000 or more by eliminating extra robots and multiple tools |
Misalignments causing cross- contamination of costly research experiments | Microplate hotel and shelving | Precise location of plate storage in hotel and on microplate shelves | $1,000 or more in sampling errors |
APPLIED ROBOTICS SOLUTION
nnnnCOMPONENTS: AN OVERVIEW
nnnnCollision Sensor
nnnn• Operates on an air pressure system
nnnn• Regulated air supply provides
nnnnpositive, variable pressure to
nnnnhold the collision sensor rigid
nnnnduring normal operation
nnnn• On impact, the air chamber seal is
nnnnopened, while the shutdown signal is
nnnnimmediately sent to the system controller
nnnnTool Changer
nnnn• Offers the flexibility needed
nnnnfor one robot to complete
nnnnmultiple tasks within a
nnnnself-contained environment
nnnn• Conserves floor space by
nnnnminimizing number of
nnnnrobots needed
nnnn• Reduces risk of contamination
nnnndue to human error
nnnn• Built with a unique latching mechanism-
nnnnpositive, non-gravity disconnect, greater
nnnnrepeatability area and reduced wear tolerances
nnnnServo Gripper
nnnn• Designed for open or closed
nnnncontrol architecture systems
nnnn• Interchangeable fingers to
nnnnhandle microplates, test tubes
nnnnand other media
nnnn•Able to handle microplates in portrait or
nnnnlandscape orientation
nnnn• Programmable to sense force
nnnn(tactile and intuitive)
nnnn• 76.2 mm of finger travel
nnnn• Position servo control and feedback
nnnn• Variable grip force
nnnn• Easy installation and programming
nnnnMicroplate Hotel
nnnn• Sturdy, lightweight hotel mounts
nnnnto the working surface of an
nnnnaluminum locator
nnnn• Locator allows repeatability
nnnnwhen hotel is removed for loading,
nnnnunloading or cleaning
nnnn•Available in portrait orientation
nnnn• Shelves are autoclavable, made of
nnnnchemically resistant plastic, and are
nnnnable to move vertically to accommodate
nnnnvarious plate thicknesses
nnnnPROBLEM DEFINED. SOLUTION IN REACH.
nnnnCase Study
nnnnTo automate the detection of IgG antibodies
nnnnin human serum panels to cytomegalovirus,
nnnnrubella virus and Toxoplasma gondii and to
nnnnsimultaneously perform all three tests at once
nnnnfrom a single sample in sequential assays at a
nnnnrate of 60 per hour.
nnnnApplied Robotics' collision sensor protected
nnnnthe automation sequencing from unforeseen
nnnncrashes and subsequent damage to the tooling
nnnnand serum.
nnnnCase Study
nnnnAn OEM provider of life science automation
nnnnsolutions needed to automate multiple steps of
nnnnan enzymatic assay process to identify kinase
nnnninhibiting compounds from an enzyme inhibitor
nnnnset within an "island" of automation. The "island"
nnnnis comprised of a SCARA robot, plate handler
nnnnand liquid dispense head.
nnnnOn-the-fly tool changing allowed for changes
nnnnbetween the plate handling tool and the dispense
nnnnhead to occur within the closed environment.
nnnnCase Study
nnnnAn international manufacturer of electrophoresis
nnnninstrumentation needed to verify the electrical
nnnncircuit integrity in machines used in sealing
nnnngel vacuum chambers.
nnnnQuick connect/disconnect electrical modules
nnnnprovided the ability to test the correctness of
nnnnthe wiring.
nnnnCase Study
nnnnAn international pharmaceutical research
nnnncompany using robotics for compound
nnnnstorage and retrieval needed to protect
nnnnthe robot from crashing during a 75-step
nnnnprogramming sequence.
nnnnCollision sensors were installed to prevent
nnnncrashes and unnecessary reprogramming.
nnnnFor More Information
nnnnFor more information about Applied Robotics'
nnnnlaboratory automation solutions visit
nnnnwww.arobotics.com.
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