18 ANALYTICAL AND LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
Fig. 2. A reader mounted on each of the robot’s six grippers reads barcodes as the tubes are rotated into position.
storage and retrieval system in the freezer for archiving. Likewise, specimens exiting the freezer from the automated storage and retrieval system must again be precisely positioned to accommodate the exact placement of the AutoSorter robot grippers in the refrigerator before releasing to the laboratory. Tis is accomplished through a specialised system of continuous-motion input and output Shuttleworth conveyors.
Te conveyors are roller conveyors that enable integrated devices allowing motion control of the specimen tubes. Product stops, pushers and clamps used to modify the flow of the tubes are all mounted below the surface which is critical because of the robotics moving above. If these devices were coming in from the side, such as what would be required on a belt conveyor, plastic link conveyor or a table-top chain conveyor, they would interfere with the robotic arms. Tey are also equipped with Slip-Torque
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technology which minimises sample damage by creating low back- pressure accumulation. Low line pressure throughout the continuous- motion accumulation conveyors allows for precise product placement with the AutoSorters. Te conveyors can continue to take product flow from the upstream line for a period of time instead of stopping. A low- pressure accumulation buffer absorbs irregularities in the production flow, and provides a smooth, even flow on the line.
Slip-Torque utilises individually- powered rotating roller shafts and loose-fit rollers, which become the conveyor surface, powered by a continuous chain to control the drive force for the samples. Te size and weight of the tubes determine the driving force and roller selection. When the samples stop on the surface of the conveyor, the segmented rollers beneath them also stop, generating low back-pressure accumulation, minimising sample damage.
Te conveyor system utilises stationary roller shafts covered with loose segmented rollers which allow the same conveyor to be split into three independently-operating lanes. For example, the middle lane can accumulate, while at the same time the right lane and the left lane can both convey. Each lane can act independently, but is powered by only one motor, reducing energy costs.
Te Shuttleworth system conveys and positions a master rack and a series of sample trays, the robotic cell then transfers specimens from the master rack to the various sample trays depending on what tests or diagnostics are to be preformed. Te deck of the AutoSorter holds up to 39 racks. Specimen loading and unloading is managed by the continuous-flow conveyors, providing walk-a-way time sufficient to meet the needs of the lab. With an overall retrieval time of less than 2.5 minutes, the requested tubes are
typically in a rack waiting for the employee when he or she arrives at the checkout station.
Showpiece lab Te automated handling system put in place for ARUP Laboratories presents a showpiece in high-volume and efficient specimen processing.
Such automation might only be economical for those labs handling high volumes of specimens daily, in the range of 15 000 to 20 000 samples. But those labs that do make the switch from manual practices to a highly-automated facility will not only experience a more efficient operation, but be in a better position to capture and hold market share into the future.
Jim McMahon writes on instrumentation technology. Shuttleworth is based in Huntington, IN, USA.
www.shuttleworth.com.
Motoman Inc is based in Irvine, CA, USA.
www.motoman.com
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