Automated handling and storage of plates and tip boxes.

PlateStak™ Automated Microplate Handler

• Expands the capacity of a liquid hander by 100 standard microplates, 30 deep well plates or 24 RoboRack tip boxes
• Quick and flexible plate and tip box transfer
• Supports cherry picking
• Easy device integration

The PlateStak device utilizes a bi-directional conveyor that can transport microplates or tip boxes from one storage rack to another or to specific programmable locations on the extended conveyor, aka diving board. The diving board, which extends out from the PlateStak automated microplate handler, provides easy access to microplates on the working deck of the liquid hander workstation.

Expands capacity of liquid handler

• Every PlateStak includes 2 racks.
• Each rack can hold up to 50 SBS standard microplates, 15 deep well microplates, or 12 RoboRack tip boxes.
• Different plate types and tip boxes can be mixed within a rack for walk-away automation.

Quick, flexible plate and tip box transfer

• With a 10-second cycle time, the PlateStak can quickly feed microplates and tips to a variety of instruments.
• Adding the de-lidding option enables lidding and de-lidding of microplates only.
• The dual diving board PlateStak can shuttle microplates to either side of the PlateStak and thus, between two different liquid handlers or other devices.

Supports cherry picking

OPTIONAL: Barcode reader on the PlateStak reads the barcode label on short or long side of each 96 or 384 plate and transfers it to the pipetting area

After the cherry-picking pipette steps are done, the PlateStak automated microplate handler up-stacks that plate and down-stacks the following one.

Easy device integration

• With a JANUS® G3 workstation, up to four PlateStak systems can be integrated for unattended feeding of up to 400 standard microplates, 120 deep well plates or 96 RoboRack tip boxes, or combination of different plate types and tip boxes.
• With the Janus G3 workstation, both the Varispan or MDT heads can pipette directly into the microplate while it is on the diving board of the PlateStak. This eliminates the need for an external gripper or robot to move plates.