TLDR: does anyone have a CAD file for the Hamilton Lid Pedestal (https://www.hamiltoncompany.com/other-robotics/6604845-01) or even just a few dimensions?
Hi all, I’m currently working with a Hamilton MicroLab Prep and we’d like the ability to move lids without having to buy the Lid Pedestal. Hamilton sell a Lid Pedestal that must be identified by the Deckscan in order for lids to be placed down. When we skipped this Deckscan requirement, we found that the device is able to place and pick up lids from an empty nest just fine. This work-around is possible with manual intervention but we’d like to automate end-to-end therefore we need a better solution. One option is for us to 3D print a rough approximation of the Lid Pedestal so that the Deckscan feature identifies it - hence why I’m asking on this forum.
Many thanks,
Joe
@JWelford just for some context on why the (or a) lid pedestal is recommended: Some lids are so lightweight that the corner locators can push them out of place if the corner locators are newer and stiffer. Using the (or a) lid pedestal helps raise them just above the plastic tabs of the corner locators so that we can consistently pick them up from the same place, every time, after they’ve been dropped off there.
That’s why in your experiments you may have seen that some lids can in fact nestle into the corner locators just fine.
It’s been a long time since I’ve used an ML Prep, but could you also just put an unused plate on one position and use that plate as a lid pedestal?
Thanks for providing that context Michael. Given that our lids are compatible with the corner locators, do you have a suggestion for the best solution that avoids needing a lid pedestal?
Yes we have considered this, however we’re creating a demo and we don’t want an unused plate to confuse the user that’s interacting with the demo. Having said that, if we can’t find another solution then we’ll turn to this
[p.s. please ignore the above deleted comments, I was trying to get the comment to embed properly]
Using a lid pedastal is still the quicker and preferred recommendation, but if you have a lid you’re using that behaves in the corner locators, and the lid pedastal just isn’t an option for your workflow, you can reach out to the product support team and ask your lid + plate be defined with the lid being compatible with a standard deck site. You may have to explain specifically how the corner locators do not interfere with your lid and as such should not need the extra elevation the lid pedestal provides.
These requests can be made from the bottom of the Prep Software webpage; use the request form with a request type of “software support”.