Microplate Lid Self-Centering for Tolerance-Robust Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laboratory automation systems face challenges in accurately and efficiently placing lids on microplates due to stacked-up tolerances and misalignments, leading to potential lid misplacement, evaporation, and delays in testing procedures.
Innovation Solution
A laboratory automation apparatus and method that utilizes a two-step process involving initial misalignment and translational movement to self-center lids onto microplates, using a robotic system with a gripper and microcontroller for precise alignment, ensuring a tight fit without requiring extensive teaching or training.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tight fit between the lid rim and microplate outer surface is used, then evaporation is prevented and sealing is improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to stacked-up tolerances and misalignments
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is designed with a self-centering mechanism where the rim automatically aligns with the microplate outer surface through a two-step process: initial placement followed by translational movement until the rim fits snugly against the microplate, eliminating the need for high-precision initial positioning while ensuring reliable sealing
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary placement of the lid at a relaxed position first, then executes a translational movement to achieve the final self-centered position. This preliminary action allows the system to compensate for tolerances and misalignments without compromising the final sealing quality
2Manufacturing precision
If single-step precise lid placement is attempted, then positioning accuracy may be improved, but the system requires extensive teaching and training data, increasing complexity and time
Solution Approach 1:
The lid placement operation is segmented into two distinct steps: (1) initial placement at a relaxed position, and (2) translational movement to the final self-centered position. This segmentation eliminates the need for extensive teaching data while achieving reliable positioning through the self-centering mechanism
3Reliability
If the lid is placed with misaligned centers initially, then the placement process becomes more robust to tolerances, but an additional translational movement step is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the lid's own geometry (the rim) to perform self-centering during the translational movement. The rim automatically finds its correct position against the microplate outer surface, making the process robust to initial misalignments while requiring only a simple translational movement rather than complex active control
Data Source
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AI summary
A microplate processing apparatus comprising a working table, a microplate having a rectangular top surface, a rectangular lid for covering the top surface of the microplate with a rim adapted to surround the top surface of the microplate. A transfer mechanism with a gripper configured to grip and place the lid to different positions on the working table and a microcontroller for controlling the transfer mechanism. The microplate processing apparatus is configured to place the lid onto the microplate where the centers of the lid is misaligned with the center of the top surface of the microplate such that a part of the rim touches the top surface. The apparatus is configured to move the lid in the x-y plane on, or across the top surface thereby self-aligning the centers of the lid and the microplate such that the rim surrounds the microplate.