Hudson Robotics SOLO - Manual (Page 3)

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Introduction
The SOLO Robotic Pipettor is designed to easily automate complex pipetting tasks that
would otherwise prove tedious or error-prone for researchers to perform manually.
The SOLO can be controlled as a stand-alone instrument using its easy-to-learn user
software, called SOLOSoft. Or, it can be integrated into larger automated systems using
its own Active X control. Hudson’s SoftLinx scheduling and workcell control software
offers such an integrated interface.
In its standard configuration, the SOLO offers 4 plate nest positions, for locating labware
such as microplates, disposable tip boxes, fluid reservoirs or other SBS-standard labware.
Two additional locations can be added to either the left or right side of the SOLO, to
allow a total of six nest locations. Mounted on the side is a flush station with a drain,
upon which is mounted a forked fixture for removing disposable tips. An emergency E-
Stop button is mounted on the front body of the SOLO. Pressing this immediately stops
all motion of the major (X, Y, Z) axes and causes the normally blue pilot light, located on
the upper arm, to turn red. While the E-Stop button is pressed in, arm power is removed
from the major axes, allowing them to be manually moved by the user.
We currently carry three configurations of the SOLO chassis. The standard configuration
includes a either a 125 uL or 250 uL capacity syringe that is mounted on the robot’s
vertical axis, offering individual pipetting volumes from 100 nL to 250 uL, and a waste
station, and a tip-shucking station to automatically remove disposable pipette tips.
The second configuration, offers a syringe pump mounted on the rear vertical frame
member, with either 8 or 3 position valves. The syringe is mounted on the pump body
and may be easily changed by the user to sizes ranging from 25uL to 10mL per full
stroke. This configuration allows the SOLO to perform as both a Pipettor and Dispenser,
drawing fluid from any one of up to 7 fluid reservoir bottles.
The Third configuration, offers either an 8 or 12 channel multitip pipettor. The 8 and 12
channel heads come in either 10ul or 200ul syringe capacity per channel configurations.
The multitip head can be pick up anywhere from one to the maximum number of 8 or 12
tips..
The SOLO also offers an alternate configuration that allows it to become a component in
Hudson’s LabLinx track-based stacker system, providing automated feeding and
removal of plates and/or tip boxes for high throughput applications. The LabLinx track
mounts directly to the SOLO’s deck, taking the place of 2 or 4 plate-nest positions, or
even all 6 if very high throughput is desired.
The SOLOPlus is a SOLO integrated with Hudson’s Micro10x high speed bulk
dispenser. The dispenser is attached to the side of the SOLO with provided hardware.
The Micro10x and SOLO share a nest position and SOLOSoft seamlessly controls both
instruments through its interface.