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The high number of samples and skyscraper high stacks of microtiter plates (MTPs) are comparable to the logistics of a warehouse. As such, a well supporting infrastructure and a high digitalization degree would lead to more efficient plate-logistics. This potential is met in the High-end Plate Handling solution on the iHEX-system of SmartLab Solutions in a fully integrated solution of Thermo Fisher Scientific:
The workflow combines three devices on an area smaller than one square meter = one iHEX element:

1) Spinnaker™ robot – microplate mover provides self-correcting precision as well as powerful sample tracking and inventory management for flexible and functionally integrated handling of MTPs,
2) an MTP hotel for vertical incubation and storage,
3) a retractable incubator. The mobile iHEX hexahedron can be used flexibly for transport, storage and as an incubator.

Moreover, the MTPs are delivered by KEVIN, a collaborative laboratory robot with an intuitive teaching interface developed by the Fraunhofer IPA.

SmartLab Solutions works fully vendor independent. The robot can even be changed into a cobot of Universal Robots to enlarge the flexibility.

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