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PlateCrane

Cost-effective and reliable cylindrical plate movers for assay automation

PlateCrane XT

Add capacity to single modules to increase "walk away" time

Link more than one module together to further automate a process

Perform complete assays by linking multiple modules with one or more PlateCranes

Implement a cost effective alternative to linear track and stationary articulating robotic arms

Works with 96, 384, 1536-well microplates, deep well plates, plates with lids, and tip racks

The PlateCrane is a cylindrical robotic arm that delivers labware to one or more devices. It provides a reliable, simple and elegant way to increase the automation capabilities of laboratories using any device or devices that utilize the microplate format.

The original PlateCrane was developed to address users' requirements for a more powerful and flexible plate handling platform that maintains a modular footprint for ease of installation. There are now 3 models of PlateCrane, each ideally suited to address a specific lab automation requirement: PlateCrane, PlateCrane XL, PlateCrane XT. Each model has a specific reach and stack capacity. See also their specifications and options.

The PlateCrane is controlled through the powerful Softlinx Software delivered as standard, or through RS 232 or OCX commands.

PlateCrane

The original PlateCrane is a cylindrical robotic arm with modular stacks and bases offering a maximum capacity of 240 microplates. The first PlateCrane provided the extra speed and capacity requested by users, but even more importantly, provided the ability to easily integrate multiple lab automation devices instead of just one.

The 350 degree rotating gripper provides the ability to place plates into the nest position of devices even if they are placed at odd angles. It also allows access to multiple positions on liquid handler decks, a valuable feature for processes such as plate replication.

PlateCrane XL

The PlateCrane XL provides 4 inches of additional reach compared to the PlateCrane. This can be used for greater plate capacity (up to 330 microplates) or to access more devices with the arm. When combined with the rotating gripper, the extended reach of the XL also allows access to more liquid handler deck positions.

PlateCrane XT

The PlateCrane XT has a 4th degree of motion with an extending / retracting arm. While this motion allows even more capacity (with the ability to access staggered stacks) and the ability to access even more devices and liquid handler deck positions, most important is the ability to randomly access labware that is placed in shelved, or "hotel-style" stacks. When combined with bar code reading capability, this allows the user an unprecedented level of power and flexibility in a small and inexpensive package.

Stacks

The PlateCrane moves labware to and from stacks which are located on bases attached to the PlateCrane. Each stack has a maximum capacity of 30 microplates. The bases are modular to allow flexibility in the configuration of stacks and surrounding modules. The standard PlateCranes are delivered with one base and two stacks. The PlateCrane is available in 3 models:

PlateCrane: Maximum capacity 9 stacks - 240 microplates
PlateCrane XL: Maximum capacity 12 stacks - 330 microplates
PlateCrane XT: Maximum capacity 15 stacks - 420 microplate

Options

The PlateCrane is available with these options:

EasyTeach function which allows the arm to be moved with the power on for even easier teaching of positions
Rotating gripper which provides greater flexibility in placing labware at different angles (Standard on XT model)
Gripper configuration for deep well plate and tip transport
Bar Code Reader to enable labware/sample tracking

Specifications

PlateCrane

PlateCrane
XL

PlateCrane
XT

Degrees of Motion (With Rotating Gripper)
Rotating Gripper is standard on PlateCrane XT

2(3)

Vertical Reach

21.25"

Horizontal Reach

12"

16"

12-18"

Maximum Capacity, standard microplates

240

330

420

Maximum Liquid Handler Deck Positions(Stationary deck; with rotating gripper)

Fits in standard lab hood

Yes

Software Control

SoftLinx software is included with each PlateCrane. SoftLinx provides an easy to use interface for the control and teaching of the PlateCrane robot. The real power of SoftLinx is the ability to integrate the PlateCrane with virtually any other lab automation module(s).

The PlateCrane can be integrated to other laboratory automation instruments in one of 2 ways:

SoftLinx software is provided with each PlateCrane purchase. SoftLinx provides a simple graphical interface for calibration and operation of the PlateCrane. SoftLinx's programming structure allows it to be installed with expansion modules, or integrations, which provide control of other devices.
User-developed control through OCX or serial communication. Robotic engineers or users with programming experience can access the PlateCrane's onboard control via an RS232 connection and an OCX module. The OCX documentation files are available. A Serial Command Set for low-level serial commands via the RS232 connection is also available for download.

Integration of the PlateCrane with other devices is accomplished with interfaces, which are expansion modules written for SoftLinx. These interfaces allow the user to combine the PlateCrane with one or more other devices. SoftLinx will communicate with each device via a serial port from the computer, and oversee the process of moving labware from the input stack(s), placing them on device(s) and then running that device's internal program, then moving to the next device or output stack. SoftLinx features an icon-based, drag-and-drop method editor, and uses VBA for device interfaces.

More than one hundred interfaces have been written, for many lab automation devices, allowing users to select their module(s) from a menu. We can write an interface for any non-listed device upon request