Hudson Robotics PlateCrane EX - Manual (Page 5)

PlateCrane EX User Manual Hudson Robotics, Inc.
1
CHAPTER 1--Introduction
1. Overview
The PlateCrane EX (See Figure 1) is a multifunctional Pick & Place instrument with a
cylindrical robotic work envelope. It is designed to provide a simple answer to
automating laboratory instruments that employ microtiter plates. The PlateCrane EX is a
small and portable robotic system capable of handling up to thirty 96-well, 384-well or
1536-well microtiter plates per stack with a maximum capacity of 450 plates (15 stacks).
The PlateCrane EX has the ability to rotate up to a maximum of 345

about its base axis.
The standard software provided with the PlateCrane EX is called SoftLinx and can run
multiple instruments in an easy to use "GUI" interface. SoftLinx is written in the Visual
Basic for Applications programming language and can run on the XP SP3, Windows XP
x64, Windows Vista 32, Windows Vista 64, Windows 7 32, Windows 7 64. The
PlateCrane EX can be interfaced with readers, washers, liquid handlers, labelers,
pipettors, etc. To prevent sample contamination, the PlateCrane can handle microtiter
plates with lids in conjunction with user defined input/output stacks.
The PlateCrane EX is equipped with a rotary gripper and an extendable arm. With the
rotary gripper, the PlateCrane EX can handle plates in both portrait or landscape
configuration. The Rotary Gripper provides maximum flexibility with a 350

axis of
rotation. With the extendable arm, the PlateCrane EX has an additional 6” of travel.
With the additional 6” travel, the PlateCrane EX can now access nests anywhere within a
12”-18” radius from the center of its base. The PlateCrane EX also has one option the
Teach Pendant (See Figure 2). The Teach Pendant is a pendant that plugs into the
PlateCrane and by the push of a button can control any axis on the PlateCrane, open and
close the gripper, and limp the entire PlateCrane. This is a great option to have since it
will help cut your time down on calibrating the unit.
The PlateCrane setup and programming procedures are designed to be simple and
intuitive, requiring no more automation expertise than is required to operate a typical
plate washer or reader.