Keeping core gripper/QCG mounted for a "while"

Hamilton (Venus)
1

I’m designing a method that requires a lot of plate movements, using the QCG on Vantage, with short incubation time (1-2 minutes) in between. The whole sequence will last around 4-6 minutes at a time, where this sequence will be repeated several times throughout the protocol. But I was wondering if it’s safe to keep the gripper mounted for that long (4-6 minutes each time) without having to spend time on ejecting and picking them up multiple times during that period. I remember hearing that it’s not good to leave tips on for so long, but I don’t know if the same is said for the grippers.

Has anyone done this sort of thing before with no issue?

2

I guess the only thing that would speak against leqving them on for a long time is wear on the O-rings. If you get at least a yearly service that should be no problem. And if you already have got CO-RE II it’s even less of a problem, since the lifting is done by the steel bearings.

I know of a system that has the paddles on the pipetting heads for hours and that was no problem.

1 Like
3

I leave the grippers on there as long as needed, multiple hours in some protocols where only the QCG and the MPH are used. Never faced any issues.

1 Like