Source tubes = Something in the 12-16mm width. These would be controls that are methanol based. We can put in a wide range of tube types, not picky on this end.
Volume To Transfer = 50 - 400uL
Destination = Ideally, we’d want to be able to do a 50mL volumetric flask but would love to do 10-250mL volumetric flasks as well. They’d already have liquid in them, so we’d be dispensing into liquid.
Does anyone know of any automation platform that can handle this setup and transfer?
As long as your flasks aren’t too tall basically every liquid handler can do that - 1mL pipetting channels are the standard. You might need to design custom holders depending on how common your labware is (and how much you want to pay for machined carriers from the manufacturer).
Differences between liquid handlers for your purpose will be in precision, throughput, and ease of programming. The microlab prep will probably get you where you need to go as long as you don’t need a ton of capacity on deck.
Yes, definitely. I work for Gilson and we have the GX-series liquid handlers (GX-271 Liquid Handler with Small Footprint and Medium Capacity) that are ideal for this type of work. They use a washable fixed metal probe and syringe driven fluidics, so unless you need plastic disposable tips then it’d be ideal. The volume range is no problem and they have a big height clearance so passing over tall items like volumetric flasks will be no problem.
Which country are you based in and would you like me to put you in touch with a local Gilson expert for this product?
This is something we have previously designed & implemented for a reference laboratory performing LC-MS/MS Cal & QC spike solution prep,
not all liquid handling platforms can handle the vertical size of the volumetric flask, and allow the pipette heads to traverse across the top of the flask,
DM me & we can discuss specifics of your needs & the appropriate pipetting instrument to use
Depending on the brand of volumetric flasks you are using at the higher volume end, Hamilton can definitely accommodate many of them:
Standard Pyrex Erlenmeyer: 132 mm (5.2 inches)
Eisco Wide Neck Erlenmeyer: 140 mm (5.5 inches)
Home Science Tools Glass Flask: 135 mm (5.3 inches)
Corning Heavy-Duty Wide Mouth: 184 mm (7.2 inches) - while there is some wiggle room above traverse height of 145mm, 184 is likely past the limit
Hamilton also offers 3D printing options for locators of just about anything that can be placed on a system deck. So imagine having a flask that exceeds the traverse height on its own or is upwards of 145mm tall: We can 3D print something that holds a flask in place with the bottom likely resting on the steel deck plates of the STAR or VANTAGE. The tradeoff is that this locator/carrier probably wouldn’t be autoloadable.