Robotic operation is most efficient when the density of samples in the
dispenser is high, which means close packing of caps and consequently
little margin for error when the various designs of sample grippers
envelop and retrieve the specimen from the dispenser. To permit this
kind of precise operation, the robot compatible caps must be manufactured
to a high standard of quality, and must embody features that place the
smallest possible burden on downstream equipment in the robot handling
chain. An international standard for robot compatible caps has emerged,
and is already reflected in commercially available products:
Robot compatible caps are available from
Hampton Research.
Automounter caps are shown in the 2005 print version of the catalog,
but not in the online version.
The original "ALS" style cap is still available as of this writing, but vials
must be ordered separately (page 163 of the print catalog).
The new "spine" style automounter cap with the moat is available both
with vials and separately (page 162 of the print catalog).
These caps are NOT robot compatible:
If you do not know what kind of cap you are using, you are almost certainly
using one of the HR4-733 family, which are NOT robot compatible!
Note that the critical design feature of all robot compatible caps is
a smooth transition from their connical to their cylindrical sections.
Both styles of caps can be obtained for a similar price
from Vineburg Machining (sales
phone number 707-938-8523).
Last
modified
1 October 2005 by Alexei Soares
