Mark, Both CRS and CCS have stackers that have been integrated into the MultiMek. Typically the CCS stackers consist of two towers that hold up to 30 or 50 microplates. This configuration is installed as a "workstation" and is NOT integrated into an overall automated system. They have designed the PlateTrak with conveyor technology to address that market. The small ORCA robot can handle individual microtiter plates, deep well, or tip boxes to the MultiMek, but must do this one at a time. The CCS stackers are much more efficient in a workstation configuration. CRS has integrated the ICN/Titertek stacker technology into the MultiMek and other 3rd party peripheral devices to "link" these instruments together. This "linking" will allow "workstations" to perform as designed and process multiple plates at one time without robotic intervention. As you know.....moving a "container" from workstation to workstation is the "rate-limiting" step in any automation process, whether that is done with manual intervention, or with an articulated robotic arm. This is the whole philosophy behind developing stackers for instruments workstations in the first place. If you can move "groups" of plates then you have reduced the manual dependency, and time necessary to complete the task, thereby increasing throughput of your process. The key to higher throughput is to move these "groups" of plates from instrument stacker to instrument stacker, or to a continuous feed mechanism (i.e., a conveyor) that has "no" user (robot/manual) intervention. In this equation you give up "flexibility" for "throughput." In the end the choice is totally based on your methodology, needs and individual laboratory goals. I have included a *.jpg file for the Titertek Stackers integrated into the MultiMek for those that want to see it. (Moderator Note: Tim, the jpg did not come through properly - perhaps this MLM package does not handle binary files well. It may be better not to broadcast it globally, anyway. If you send it to me at andy.zaayenga@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org, I will place it on the web site in the Discussion page.) Tim Innes Western Area Manager CRS Robotics Corporation 25555 N. Windy Walk Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Phone: 602-585-1996 Fax: 602-585-2919 E-Mail: tinnes@SPAMFOIL.CRSRobotics.com -----Original Message----- From: Mark Deiparine To: Lab-Robotics Mailing List Date: Friday, November 13, 1998 9:58 AM Subject: Lab-Robotics: 96 to 384 liquid handling >--------------------- >Lab-Robotics >--------------------- >The MultiMek is typically used with an Orca arm and a carousel.......however, >Beckman Instruments may have a model available with stackers. In addition, >there are other multichannel pipettors that you could investigate. I would >recommend looking a the TomTec Quadra, as I have used one with satisfactory >results. Packard Instruments/CCS is also offering one, but I have not used it. > >____________________Reply Separator____________________ >Subject: Lab-Robotics: 96 to 384 liquid handling >Author: "Birzin; Elizabeth T." >Date: 11/13/98 9:29 AM > >--------------------- >Lab-Robotics >--------------------- >I don't know anyone that has the Multimek with stackers but I have been told >that they exist. > > >> ---------- >> From: Campbell, Robert >> Reply To: discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org >> Sent: Thursday, November 12, 1998 10:13 AM >> To: discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org >> Subject: Lab-Robotics: 96 to 384 liquid handling >> >> --------------------- >> Lab-Robotics >> --------------------- >> I was under the impression that the Multimek was newly fitted with a >> carousel but no stackers... >> >> Bob Campbell >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Birzin, Elizabeth T. [SMTP:liz_birzin@SPAMFOIL.merck.com] >> Sent: Thursday, November 12, 1998 7:48 AM >> To: discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org >> Subject: Lab-Robotics: 96 to 384 liquid handling >> >> --------------------- >> Lab-Robotics >> --------------------- >> Look at the Beckman Multimek with stackers. >> >> > ---------- >> > From: David W. Green >> > Reply To: discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org >> > Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 1998 10:42 AM >> > To: discussion@SPAMFOIL.lab-robotics.org >> > Subject: Lab-Robotics: 96 to 384 liquid handling >> > >> > --------------------- >> > Lab-Robotics >> > --------------------- >> > I would appreciate any opinions or recommendations on >> equipment to >> > replicate >> > 96 deep-well plates into 384 well plates. We are interested >> in >> > multichannel >> > head systems with the capacity to produce at least 50-100 384 >> well plates >> > per >> > day with as little operator interaction as possible (i.e., tip >> changes, >> > plate >> > loading, etc.). >> > >> > Thanks >> > >> > Dave Green >> > 3-Dimensional Pharmaceuticals, Inc. >> > 665 Stockton Drive, Suite 104 >> > Exton, PA 19341 >> > Phone: (610)-458-5264 x6525 >> > FAX: (610)-458-8249 >> > E-mail: green@SPAMFOIL.3dp.com >> > >>