HighRes Biosolutions has announced the release of TCell, a brand new table-based automation system that’s the most advanced on the market. Everything about TCell was designed with usability in mind.
TCell features the easiest instrument access ever in a table system thanks to a unique design for the platforms on which instruments are located. Called three-axis device platforms, these platforms allow the operator to slide and rotate instruments almost completely out of the system for incredibly easy access. This makes offline operation and maintenance of devices more convenient than on any other table system.
TCell has under-table labware storage for efficient use of space, even while maintaining standard laboratory tabletop height. Labware is stored underneath the table surface and fed up to the robot through holes in the table top. This feature is a great advantage over other table systems, in which storage devices are located on the table top. This often results in the system being taken up mostly by storage, with little room for other devices such as readers and pipettors.
In addition, rather than hinged doors that open up out into precious lab aisles and walkways, TCell uses vertical-slide doors, which slide down and out of the way. Operators can access the system without interrupting lab flow, making TCell safer and more compact. When closed, the doors are sealed by inflatable gaskets.
TCell also offers a wide variety of enclosure and safety options, such as BSL2, HEPA filtration, laminar flow, temperature and humidity control, and positive or negative pressure. These options can be configured to protect operators, assays, and cells, no matter what the research application.
TCell features HighRes Biosolutions’ new lab robot, Cromium Cr2, the most advanced life science robot ever. Cromium is powered by a harmonic drive gearing system, which is precise, compact, and light weight. Unlike a direct drive robot, which coasts to a stop after a collision, Cromium stops immediately upon sensing an obstacle. Cromium also features a 32-inch reach and 32-inch vertical stroke, giving it the largest reach of any robot in its class. Another advantage of Cromium is its no-touch vision-guided teaching, in which a tiny, high-resolution camera determines the precise three-dimensional location of any nest on the system. Cromium’s servo gripper handles labware in both portrait and landscape orientations.
TCell is controlled with HighRes Biosolutions’ Cellario, the most powerful and flexible scheduling software available. With Cellario, any laboratory technician can run complex processes simply and reproducibly.
In addition, TCell is highly modular and flexible. TCell can be expanded with MicroDocks, HighRes’ instrument docking station so that researchers can replace instruments on the system in seconds. TCell can also be configured with larger table tops and with more robots. It can even be connected with other HighRes systems such as NanoCell, HighRes’ small modular system, and MicroStar, HighRes’ flagship modular system.
“We’ve taken everything we’ve learned about automation over the past five years and created the best, most usable robotic table system on the market,” said Lou Guarracina, President of HighRes. “We’ve designed a system with the greatest instrument access, the most advanced lab robot, the most compact design, and the industry’s best scheduling software. Usability was the key for us. We’re excited about the research this system is going to allow our customers to do.”
TCell will be unveiled on January 30, 2011 at the LabAutomation 2011 show in Palm Springs, CA.
About HighRes Biosolutions
HighRes Biosolutions, Inc. is the leader in the design and construction of innovative robotic systems and laboratory devices used by pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic research laboratories. HighRes accelerates drug discovery, high throughput genotyping, siRNA screening, next-generation sequencing sample prep, biorepository science and molecular diagnostics with highly flexible, expandable and modular integrated systems, bench-top devices and consumables that are easily configured (and reconfigured) to create research environments conducive to achieving breakthrough results.