The StakMax Microplate Handling System is an integrated microplate stacker for use with Molecular Devices SpectraMax Microplate Readers and AquaMax Microplate Washers, providing simple, powerful, walk-away benchtop automation. Achieving higher throughput in laboratory experiments depends on the ability to easily process batches of microplates. Historically, joining off-the-shelf components together has made for expensive, difficult-to-use, and error-prone integrations. To address these issues, Molecular Devices leveraged its 20 years of experience with the automation industry to develop the StakMax Microplate Handling System to provide dedicated benchtop automation for batches of up to 50 microplates, in a small footprint. Integration of a StakMax System with Molecular Devices microplate reader is a straightforward process and can be completed in less than 15 minutes, including alignment. Integration with an AquaMax Microplate Washer can be completed in 5 minutes, with no alignment necessary. Once integrated to a Molecular Devices microplate reader, the StakMax System is operated through Molecular Devices' industry-leading SoftMax® Pro Data Acquisition & Analysis Software providing a common interface for operating both the reader and stacker, avoiding problems with communication hand-offs.