Automation
Figure 26 The new Thermo Scientific Orbitor BenchTrak
integration components. The BenchTrack signifi- cantly extends the functionality and versatility of the renowned Thermo Scientific Orbitor RS plate mover. In addition to the expanded reach provided by the track, the solution is available with a com- plete range of quick-connect modules including: instrument locating platforms, mezzanines, guard- ing and microplate storage options (random access or stacked). The Orbitor BenchTrak easily fits on to existing standard laboratory benches, and all ele- ments are PC driven. Compared to other competi- tive platforms the Orbitor BenchTrak does not require endusers to have extensive automation expertise typical of larger articulated robot systems. Like the Orbitor RS, the Orbitor BenchTrak utilis- es industry leading Thermo Scientific Momentum 3.1 workflow software to empower users to create benchtop workstations capable of performing a wide variety of workflows such as sample prepara- tion, ELISA, nucleic acid and protein purification, cell or biochemical assays, cell maintenance, qPCR and next generation sequencing. To maintain ease- of-use, the BenchTrak will be released in combina- tion with the new and innovative Thermo Scientific LOCaMotion teach wizard. Available in ‘On- bench’ or ‘In-bench’ models and in multiple track lengths, customers can pick a physical configura- tion and the level of installation/integration service that matches their needs. Multiple Orbitor BenchTraks can be connected together to create
Drug Discovery World Winter 2011/12
complex system layouts (topologies) that address customers workflow and needs. The Orbitor BenchTrak is available for new systems and field upgrades for existing Orbitor RS workstations in February 2012 (Figure 26).
Discussion
It is possible to tease out the following trends in small-scale bench top automation from the vendor snapshots:
Compact configurations: It is self-evident that nearly all the instruments reported in the review have been built to save space and minimise their bench foot print. Instrument enclosures: Increasingly instruments are equipped with enclosures and optional HEPA filtration, to deliver clean air to the pipetting work surface important in a range of applications such as sample preparation for cell culture and cell- based assays, and DNA and RNA amplification setup (Caliper, Cybio, Eppendorf, Hamilton, Logos, Promega, Qiagen, Satorius Biohit). Extended pipetting ranges: Many of the capabilities of the instruments described would not be possible without the extended dispensing ranges (from pL to mL) that are now supported with greater accuracy (Beckman, Caliper, CyBio, Labcyte, Tecan). End-user empowerment: Some instruments can be extremely empowering enabling practically anyone
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