As you research and shop for instruments, it’s important that you consider:
With these higher-level questions in mind, you’ll be able to have better conversations about technical performance and features and service quality.
Magnetic particle- (or bead) moving robots are sometimes preferred because they are easy to use, maintain and program and are often less expensive than liquid handling robots. However, particle movers are not as versatile and typically limited to applications like nucleic acid extraction, protein purification and cell isolation. For example, the ThermoFisher KingFisher System does not enable sample management and may require manual reagent dispensing and other manual manipulations. However, the ThermoFisher Presto System uses the same technology but can be integrated onto a liquid handler for fully automated sample processing.
For more information, please visit industrial instrumentation supplier.
Our Maxwell® RSC 48 uses magnetic particle mover technology with a ready-to-go cartridge-based format to process 1–48 samples per run. Simply load your samples and go. Learn more about this instrument.
Most 8-channel liquid handling systems can handle the following ranges of liquid transfer volumes.
Some 96-channel liquid handlers can transfer up to 1ml, though that depends on the provider. Discuss with the vendor which of their system is the best option for your needs.
Your pipetting accuracy and precision requirements can exclude some vendors from your search. Define the accuracy and precision required for your application to ensure you purchase an instrument matching your needs.
Your accuracy requirements may be affected by your lab’s environment. For example, miniaturizing a process like library preparation can be greatly affected by relative humidity. If you work in a dry climate, you may need a humidifier or non-conductive tips to reduce static and achieve accurate pipetting with a liquid handling robot. Other options are to discharge conductive tip boxes or to wipe down the boxes with a damp cloth before use.
Your workflow’s throughput will depend on the number of pipette channels on your liquid handling robot. Typically, pipettes come as 8-, 96- or 384-channel units, and some providers and instrument sizes do not offer all channel formats. You will also need to get a sense of how many samples an instrument can process in a given amount of time with specific hardware and kit chemistries. Application notes from the kit provider or instrument vendor can help.
Facility requirements are often overlooked and may determine where your instrument can be installed. Air vent locations and air flow direction should be considered for cross contamination risks and safety. If your lab is not on the ground floor, additional floor supports may be required to accommodate larger systems that exceed a floor’s weight capacity. Your lab may need to install new electrical outlets if there are not enough in the optimal installation site. Many of these factors can be modified in collaboration with your facilities manager, but you may need to pay for the changes or explore instruments that will work with your space better. Your vendor can provide specific requirements.
Ask vendors what it would take to upgrade the throughput of an automated system in the future. For example, to switch between 8-channel and 96-channel pipettes, some robotic arms cannot be swapped out without overhauling the entire system. The costs of different robotic arm models may be very similar, but not all models can be easily upgraded in the field.
Custom solutions, or solutions that don’t exist or where there is no part number, are quite common for liquid handling instruments. If custom is offered as a solution, ask for examples of custom work done elsewhere. Consider carefully if custom solutions are right for you. Custom options can increase shipping time and costs for the initial purchase and for any replacement parts. Make sure to ask which components and features of the system you’re considering are “off the shelf” or custom. If custom parts are needed, price out your custom options from multiple vendors. Some vendors will sell “custom” solutions at a standard price, but others may charge more for customization.
The company you choose to purchase your automation instrument from is more than a vendor. When you purchase a liquid handler, it is not trivial to switch to another vendor in the future. Methods do not directly transfer between platforms: methods would have to be rebuilt, reverified and revalidated; and maintaining a knowledge base of multiple platforms and programming languages is not ideal. Your automation instrument provider will be a long-term partner, so make sure that you can work well with their entire team.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website radar flow meter.