Robotic Arm Sample Preparation Workstation Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sample preparation processes in automated experiments are labor-intensive, inefficient, and require significant experimental space, leading to inaccuracies and prolonged preparation times.
Innovation Solution
A sample preparation workstation equipped with a robotic arm, a sample exchange chamber, and various experimental apparatuses, including a powder adding device, electromagnetic stirring device, and filtering device, which enables full-automatic sample preparation, reduces labor costs, and optimizes experimental efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual operation is used for sample preparation, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but labor cost increases and experimental efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm autonomously performs sample transfer operations between the sample exchange chamber and experimental apparatus without human intervention. The system self-manages the sample preparation workflow, including picking up samples, moving them to appropriate apparatuses, and returning processed samples, thereby eliminating manual labor while maintaining continuous operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated robotic arm system. The robotic arm uses mechanical grippers and programmed motion control to substitute human hands and operations, achieving consistent, repeatable sample handling while reducing labor costs and increasing experimental throughput
2Area of stationary object
If multiple experimental apparatuses are distributed around the robotic arm, then space utilization is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple experimental apparatuses (powder adding device, electromagnetic stirring device, oscillation device, detection devices, and filtering device) into a single centralized workstation platform. This merging of previously separate laboratory equipment into one coordinated system optimizes space utilization while the integrated design manages complexity through unified control architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm serves multiple functions by interacting with various experimental apparatuses distributed around it. A single robotic arm system performs sample transfer, positioning, and coordination with different types of experimental equipment, replacing what would traditionally require multiple specialized operators or separate workstations, thereby optimizing laboratory footprint
3Productivity
If full-automatic sample preparation is implemented, then labor cost is reduced and efficiency is improved, but initial system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated sample preparation system is divided into distinct functional modules: sample exchange chamber, robotic arm with transfer tools, powder adding device, electromagnetic stirring device, oscillation device, detection devices, and filtering device. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently controlled or replaced, managing overall system complexity through modular segmentation while achieving full automation
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm acts as an intermediary component that coordinates between the sample exchange chamber and various experimental apparatuses. It serves as the central mediator that picks up samples, transports them to appropriate devices, positions them correctly, and returns processed samples, thereby integrating the entire automated workflow without requiring direct complex interconnections between all system components
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves full-automatic sample preparation, significantly reducing labor costs and improving experimental efficiency while ensuring high accuracy and precision in sample preparation, thus avoiding human error and optimizing space usage.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic stirring device, configured to stir the sample
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to the technical field of automation equipment and specifically discloses a sample preparation workstation and a sample preparation system. The sample preparation workstation includes a preparation platform, a robotic arm mounted to the preparation platform, a sample exchange chamber mounted to the preparation platform and used for exchanging a sample before or after experiment with the outside world, a transfer tool mounted to the robotic arm, and an experimental apparatus mounted to the preparation platform. The robotic arm drives the transfer tool to move so that the transfer tool transfers the sample before experiment in the sample exchange chamber to the experimental apparatus for experiment and transfers the sample after experiment to the sample exchange chamber. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the full-automatic sample preparation can be realized, the labor cost can be saved and the experiment efficiency can be improved.