hey everyone , got our fourth guide out as an intro to everything plate handling!
for context, i’m working with @luisvillaautomata and @Jascha on a lab auto hardware hack as part of sf deep tech week june 22-23.
one of the robotic platforms we will have for hackers to build on is a mobile robot from jascha and the mass melt team.
to help everyone go 0 to 1 in the space, we first made this intro guide. it has 50+ modules covering an intro, applications, equipment, software, company features, and more resources
we see this as a community resource (it’s open access, and please feel free to circulate) and would appreciate any feedback if you want to take a look.
specifically
anything missing that would help lead ot better understanding?
section #6 - any leading companies in 2024 that are missing?
any additional resources for section #7?
shout-out to @sbelkadi for reading through first draft of this guide.
These are awesome - props for taking the initiative and putting resources like this together!
My only contribution would be that section 4 could likely benefit from capper-decapper systems to wrap up tubeplate format specimen & samples. Azenta has been gobbling most of the players in this field, but Hamilton and Thermo each have automated systems as well - and likely a few others that I can’t currently think of.
Benefit: Automated decapping (seriously these things SUCK to open manually)
Con: Very expensive single-tasker lab equipment
Full transparency, I’ve seen price ranges from $60k-$120k and I was in a bit of sticker shock - even to the point of considering manual options. Many of the capper/decappers are overengineered multitaskers that can handle every permutation of tube/cap/size and unfortunately that is a bit more than most labs need with validated workflows (in my opinion). However, there does not seem to be many “lean” or “hack” options that fairly balance “what you pay for” with “what you get” as far as I’ve found.
Possibly a GREAT territory for a robotics project for enthusiasts with spare time.
Honestly $60k is extremely good for a piece of equipment you’re going to use over and over and over. It also replaces head count in super high throughput labs and streamlines the management of samples, compounds, reagents, workflows, etc…
In yesteryears, the number of folks who would have to sit there manually labeling and then manually decapping and manually recapping eppendorf tubes was mind boggling.
Also these companies are taking a massive L if you don’t use their consumables. Hardware for some companies is a one-shot deal. “I buy your decapper once & i buy someone else’s decappable tubes over and over again for the next 5-10 years. However I won’t buy your decapper if you don’t provide me with field service support (within 24 hours!!!) and give me the latest software updates that I demand.”
Good luck with that that kind of business model. This is why more and more subscription services are springing up even for assay method development. Also PRO TIP: you’ll ALWAYS get a better deal on hardware if you use that companies consumables. This is especially true if that device is a multitasker.
, got our fourth guide out as an intro to everything plate handling!