FEATURE Lab automation
Solving laboratory challenges
In this article, Festo outlines ten areas for improvement, where automation can add lasting value to laboratory operations
L
aboratories play a pivotal role in research, innovation, and quality control in industries ranging from pharmaceuticals and life sciences to electronics and automotive.
performing laboratory, but there are challenges that So, how can automation help overcome these challenges?
1. Limited resources - Many Laboratories operate can augment limited human resources by performing helping to optimise throughput in lab automation applications at a fraction of the cost of complex robotics.
2. Quality control - Adhering to rigorous quality
control systems is crucial for reliable results, but varying conditions can make this challenging. Automated systems provide consistent and precise results, improving the reliability of quality control processes. Assays used in development can be programmed and retained, enabling repeatability and traceability throughout the research and development process.
3. Consistent sample analysis - Accuracy and
but processes such as manual pipetting are prone to slight variations. Automation can be used to control the entire liquid and sample handling sequence. appropriate kinematics. These automated systems replace all the manual movements in the process ensuring consistency throughout. 4. Data management and integrity - The amount of data generated in laboratories necessitates robust interpret large data sets. Automation systems can provide even more data as all steps of the process are controlled and the operation of the system can be recorded. This data can be directly fed into laboratory information management systems (LIMS) to ensure accurate analysis and access to insights. 5. Regulatory compliance - Maintaining high quality assurance and control standards are paramount in upholding the integrity of research very resource intensive. Automated systems help maintain compliance by providing traceable and
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reproducible results. They also make compliance automated reporting options. 6. Workforce shortages - The scarcity of skilled professionals is an ongoing challenge. By automating repetitive tasks, skilled workers are freed to focus on more complex and intellectually demanding work, making better use of their expertise and increasing job satisfaction. 7. Supply chain disruptions - Tight development programmes can mean that lack of repercussions on time to market. Automation can mitigate these risks by optimising inventory management and creating a predictable need for reagents and consumables. Automated systems can place repeat orders so that replacements arrive before stock runs too low. Optimising allocation, and technology integration to ensure seamless operations and timely delivery of results. Automated systems can streamline achieve optimal throughput and productivity. 9. Environmental sustainability - Laboratories can be high consumers of disposable parts with a large environmental footprint. Automation can use of resources, waste minimisation, and in some cases lower energy consumption. Automated washing and decontamination processes can reduce the amount of single use plastics used. 10. Staying ahead of the curve - Keeping edge techniques is essential. Working with transformation easier. They have the design and engineering capabilities to work with you to develop automated solutions customised to the needs of your laboratory. Modular automation solutions can grow with your business over time, optimising return on investment and keeping
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