Hamilton Robotics launches pipetting workstation to provide simultaneous, multiple tube decapping and recapping.
Hamilton Robotics has launched the Decapping Microlab STAR Workstation - the first fully automated tube tracking, decapping and recapping workstation to offer up to eight decapping modules for safe and secure sample preparation, the company claims.
In addition to decapping and recapping, the STAR workstation transports tubes, mixes liquids in tubes, pipettes and tracks samples (see video).
Although timing depends on pipetting volumes, the entire process of tube and cap handling can be accomplished within a few minutes.
Up to two decapping modules can be placed on a STAR deck and are served by four twister channels on a slim arm, with up to eight 1 mL or four 5 mL channels on an additional slim arm.
The decapping modules are controlled and monitored through VENUS software so that all steps can be tracked and handled automatically - increasing process reliability.
Meanwhile, the system can accommodate tubes with a diameter of 15 to 38 mm, with caps up to 6 mm larger in diameter than the tube, to ensure robust and versatile handling.
