Innomech’s New Test Station Streamlines R&D Program

Automation consultancy GB Innomech has designed and developed an innovative new test station for Fluidic Analytics, a protein analysis company based on Cambridge, United Kingdom. The new test station serves as a labor-saving R&D tool to help process multiple test samples and to ensure product quality. It complements the company’s Fluidity systems for protein sizing and quantification, and will be used for ongoing R&D studies targeting new protein characterization applications and for product development. It will also be used to improve the efficiency of final performance testing of production units before shipping them to customers.

The new station automates a series of time-consuming and repetitive liquid handling and sample processing steps that are required when analyzing multiple protein samples. The automated system, which is based around a Tecan Cavro Omni Flex liquid-handling robot, is programmed to sample a protein solution into a disposable chip before transferring it into a reader. The robot then waits for the analysis to complete before returning the chip to its original location.

“Innomech’s new test station will be invaluable in helping Fluidic Analytics to expand and improve the operational efficiency of its in-house R&D, as well as streamlining final performance testing of our production units. The Innomech team has provided us with excellent design and engineering support for this automation project: they have worked closely to help define our requirements and to advise on the fastest and most cost-effective way of delivering them,” said Andrew Lynn, CEO at Fluidic Analytics, in a press statement.

The automated test station has been designed to process up to 96 protein samples in a single run, without any operator involvement. It also ensures sample handling errors are avoided throughout. The system can run over 24 hours, enabling samples to be processed overnight. The new test station will also be used to process and analyze multiple standard samples to determine instrument performance and as one of a number of final performance checks on production units.

Source: GB Innomech