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Customized Multi-tool Laboratory Robots

Automation of Manual Synthesis Procedures

Jan. 24, 2011
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Laboratory automation usually comprises single devices or partial processes. The integration of entire synthesis procedures into a single automation platform still represents an exception. The required adaptation raises the question whether to adapt the process to the automation, or the automation to the process.

Paradigm Shift
Laboratory automation has a wide range of manifestations. In a previous article in this publication, we described automated laboratory reactors (ALR). ALRs utilize individually assigned peripheral devices such as dosing pumps, agitators, temperature control units etc. for each reactor. Continuous process control and data acquisition are the main advantages of such a system. A severe drawback is the fact that each reactor needs an entire set of peripheral devices.

The larger the number of reactors, the smaller usually is the individual reactor size. Therefore such a concept quickly becomes extremely complex and costly. Additionally, the needed devices are often not available in the required size. As a consequence, new approaches no longer assign peripheral devices to a reactor, but move peripheral devices to the reactor. Reagent additions or measurements are no longer continuous in such a setup, but can occur only at specific times turning a parallel process into a sequence.

An Example
A pipetting robot is a typical example of this principle. Over the course of its development, often a growing number of devices are adapted to execute more complex processes. A pipetting robot uses highly standardized equipment to allow for cost-effective production. At the same time, the process to be automated must be adapted to this standard equipment. HiTec Zang developed a robotic platform that allows for the adaptation of the robot to the equipment used in manual processing. The biggest advantage of this approach for the user is the virtual elimination of additional development expenditures for the adaptation of the process.

Joint Efforts
Here the developer and the user of a robot both describe the development process and the first results of the automated synthesis process.

Read also:
Automation of Batch Synthesis in Laboratory Miniplants - High Reproducibility, Secure and Flexible

Authors:
Dr.-Ing. Burkhard Kusserow
Dipl. Chem. Alexander Schulz

Related Articles :

Keywords : Automation Burkhard Kusserow Electron Microsocpy HiTec Zang Imformation Technology IT Laboratory Liquid Handling Microcapsule Microscopy Nano Pipettes Robotics Screening Application Note Software

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Ebertsstr. 30 - 32
52134 Herzogenrath
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Tel: +49 2407 910 1011
Fax: +49 2407 910 1099
Web: http://www.hitec-zang.de

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