Software fully integrates liquid handling processes

8 Nov 2006
Kerry Parker
CEO

Aitken Scientific’s A-S Automate software has allowed leading liquid handling company Deerac Fluidics to completely integrate its high performance processes and provide a fully automated product portfolio.

Aitken has partnered closely with Deerac to develop a cost effective standard solution that removes the need for individual custom software for each interfacing robotic instrument. Deerac’s Equator™ range of liquid handling systems uses patented technology for a wide variety of low-volume dispensing applications in genomics and drug discovery.

A-S Automate enables the Equator’s precision multi-channel dispensers to work with robotic plate handlers and provide total walk-away operation of automated systems. Forty plates an hour can be loaded from a plate stacker and automatically transferred to the Equator, as the instruments are both simultaneously controlled by the same software. The standard user interface shows available methods, tabbed dialogues where the status of each item of equipment can be viewed, and a set of buttons to allow the operator to run, pause and stop a process.

The installation and set-up of A-S Automate software for the Equator is extremely straightforward and user friendly. Readily expandable, it can be customised to include additional devices such as plate sealers, and barcode and plate readers. Hardware drivers are available to control a wide range of laboratory instruments, and further drivers can be created for new hardware as part of any project undertaken by Aitken Scientific.

A-S Automate Software Control

Aitken Scientific Ltd Software Integration

A-S Automate enables you to integrate a wide range of instruments in a common, high performance, automated environment providing you with a means to radically increase productivity without the need to re-invest in a new control system. Slash the learning curve “We loved A-S Automate because it was so simple to use – turn it on, hit the green button and walk away. New staff training costs have been slashed with the simple design and implementation using this tool” Flexible Setting up the system is simple and user-friendly. A-S Automate is fully programmable and tasks can be edited using a ‘drag-and-drop’ graphical system. The software can be configured to match your requirements exactly: hardware drivers are available to control a wide range of existing instruments, and new drivers can be created for new devices and added as required. It also has the ability to monitor events and react accordingly. Integrated There’s no need to re-invest in a new control system: A-S Automate is designed to work with your existing software. It provides integrated support for other packages, including: • Microsoft applications such as Excel and Word • Third party instrument control systems • Data Management Systems including Microsoft Access, SQL Server and Laboratory Information Management Systems. Effective A-S Automate is a cost-effective method of integrating high-performance automated processes. You can maximise each instrument’s productivity as well as enhancing the power and functionality of your existing software. This gives you a reliable, robust system which enables you to achieve greater efficiencies and increase the return on your capital investment. A-S Automate has already proved invaluable in a range of industry sectors.

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