Robot Tip Stocker Automates Pipette Replenishment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing apparatuses for precise fluid dispensing are not fully automated and require specially designed tip boxes, limiting the use of general-purpose products.
Innovation Solution
A robot system that includes a dual-arm robot and a tip stocker, which automates the dispensing process by using general-purpose products, such as tip pallets, to supply pipette tips to a tip box, allowing for automated replenishment and efficient dispensing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a specially designed tip box is used to hold pipette tips in the dispensing apparatus, then the pipette tips can be securely held and dispensed, but the system cannot use general-purpose products and requires manual replenishment by operators
Solution Approach 1:
The robot system automatically performs the replenishment of pipette tips to the tip box without human intervention. The robot picks up tip boxes from the storage unit and loads them into the dispensing apparatus, enabling the system to service itself and eliminating the need for manual operator intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
A robot system is introduced as an intermediary between the tip box storage unit and the dispensing apparatus. The robot acts as a mediator that transfers tip boxes from storage to the dispensing device, enabling automated operation while maintaining compatibility with standard tip box designs.
2Productivity
If operators manually replenish pipette tips in the tip box, then the dispensing apparatus can continue operation, but the processing cannot be fully automated and requires human intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The robot system automatically monitors and replenishes pipette tip inventory in the tip box, enabling continuous dispensing operation without human intervention. The system services itself by detecting when tips are depleted and automatically loading new tip boxes from storage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a specially designed tip box is used in the dispensing apparatus, then the tips can be securely held, but general-purpose tip boxes cannot be used which limits flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to work with universal, general-purpose tip boxes rather than specialized custom-designed boxes. The robot's gripper and the storage unit are configured to accommodate standard tip box dimensions, enabling the system to use commercially available products while maintaining reliable operation through automated handling.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A robot system (1) includes a robot (100) that includes arms (103L, 103R) each including multiple joints, a controller (300) configured to control an operation of the robot (100), and a tip stocker (9) configured to supply a tip box (14) with a pipette tip (13) attached to and detached from a pipette (8) with an operation of the robot (100). In addition, the tip stocker (9) includes a movable member (93) configured to be movable in accordance with an operation of the robot (100).