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Design Features User Adjustable Shelving Optional Cassette Stackers Components Two station Infeed/Outfeed for enhanced robotic access Self contained picker assembly with barcode Reader Control System RS232 communications interface Convenient access to electronic controls External Chiller Connections |
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| Mega-Stor Operator's Panel and Manual Access Door |
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Manual access door for full column or individual plate retrieval or storage Operator's display and keypad for manual control Totally closed with slight positive pressure (dry air, Nitrogen or Argon) Foam in place insulation jacket Caster mounted for mobility with floor jacks for stability
Mega-Stor with 25 Plate
Cassette Stackers
Other Component Features
Top cover is split for horizontal removal
Functional Description
The Mega-Stor provides bulk storage of microplates. Its primary design utility is for compound library storage. With a separate chiller, it is capable of holding interior temperatures within the insulated cabinet shell of -10ºC (14ºF). The interior shelving is adjustable by the user. It can hold 1675 microplates, 1080 mid-sized plates, 850 deep well plates, or combinations thereof.
A plate picking assembly can select any given plate in the Mega-Stor inventory, then present it at an output station. A barcode reader on the picker hand verifies that the retrieved plate is the one called for by the picking work list.
The Mega-Stor has several infeed/outfeed options. The basic unit has a simple 2-station infeed/outfeed. It is designed to serve a robotic system, whereby a given plate is called for (outfeed) and placed on one of the stations. A plate that is to be returned to the Mega-Stor (infeed) may be placed on the other station. The two stations provide independent operation of the Mega-Stor and the robot it is serving.
The Mega-Stor may also use stacker cassettes as infeed/outfeed devices. There are two cassettes on each side, for a total of four (only two shown). This is to serve those applications where a work list is to be filled for another operation. The cassettes are available in two sizes, 25 plates or 50 plates. A cassette of microplates can be placed on the Mega-Stor and be automatically put away. Barcodes are read from the individual plates, and tied to the appropriate shelf on the inventory list that is transmitted back to the main database. The reverse is also true, in that the Mega-Stor can fill an outfeed cassette from its' internal inventory to match the work list requirements.
A third optional feature for the Mega-Stor is an output pipettor. This allows the Mega-Stor to fulfill the “cherry picking“ function of the compound library. The Mega-Stor, if filled with 384 well plates, can hold over 600,000 discreet compounds. From this selection of compounds, individual microplates may be formatted. The cassette infeeds, described before, would hold empty microplates. According to the work list presented, the microplate containing the desired compound (or compounds) would be retrieved from the Mega-Stor. Aliquots of the desired compounds would be aspirated, and then dispensed into the output microplate. The compound plate would be returned to the Mega-Stor. The next plate containing the required compounds would be selected. When the output plate is filled, the process is repeated for the next outfeed plate. For larger libraries, multiple Mega-Stors may be used, working in tandem. The cassette of outfeed plates would move to each Mega-Stor and be filled with the compounds from that inventory.
The “cherry picking“ application does require that the compounds within the Mega-Stor be in a liquid phase, and not frozen. However, the Mega-Stor is essentially enclosed, and may be maintained with an inert environment such as nitrogen or argon, with only a small make up requirement.
The Mega-Stor is designed for ease of maintenance. Its height is 8 feet. Its width, however, is 34 inches. This allows the unit to be turned on its side in order to pass through a standard 3 foot opening. This is of particular value at the time of installation, or if it needs to be moved. All of the drive components are located in the top housing to be readily accessible. The entire front control enclosure may be disconnected and removed. The Mega-Stor itself is mounted on casters for ease in positioning and mobility. When in place, self-mounted floor jacks lift it off its casters for a rigid mounting.
Tomtec supplies a separate chiller to allow Mega-Stor operation down to -10ºC (14ºF). Depending on the application of the user, one chiller may serve more than one Mega-Stor. The only other utilities required are electric power and compressed air (90PSI). Nitrogen or Argon may be substituted if so desired.
Ordering Information Mega-Stor Microplate Storage System Stacker Cassette Option Self Contained Chiller Unit Please call your Local Sales Representative
Dimensions
Height: 96" (2438.20mm)
Depth: 60" (1524.0mm)
Width: 34" (863.60mm)
(can pass through a 3 foot opening)
Cat. No. 670-100
(includes 4 stacker cassettes—infeed/outfeed)
Cat. No. 670-110
(serves one Mega-Stor)
Cat. No. 670-105
for current pricing.
