Precision Temperature Control
• ± 1/2°C at 37°C
• Plates Spaced Apart

Increases Process Efficiency
• Precise Time Lines
• Plate Transfer Arm
• Infeed Cassette (25)
• Outfeed Cassette (25)
Synergy HT Reader™
The incoming cassette of 25 plates may be restacked to give first-in/first-out processing. A separation between plates provides excellent heat transfer. Multiple heating elements provide uniform temperature throughout. Humidity is provided with a small circulating fan and water pan. The plates are placed in the plate reader under program control to provide consistent time lines.
Automated Incubation

The Merlin is designed to automate the incubation and plate reading steps, typical of most assays. A cassette of 25 microplates may be transferred directly from the Quadra 3® liquid handling workstation. (The cassettes may also be easily loaded manually.) The microplates (96 and 384) are transferred to the incubation section under program control. This is to match time lines with the throughput of the plate reader. The two cassettes can restack to provide first-in/first-out operation.
Within the incubation section, the plates are carried on stainless steel chains and separated 1/2 inch apart for uniform heat transfer. The interior heating elements have been carefully designed to provide uniform temperature throughout the incubation section. PID temperature control is used. The heaters are turned from full on to full off proportionally (P) around the set point. The actual temperature is integrated (I) over time to assure the set point is maintained. Differential (D) anticipates the rate of temperature change to minimize over or under control. A small fan circulates the interior environment over a water pan to add humidity. The net result is precise environment control that can be repeated on demand.
Reader Integration

The Merlin system includes the integration of the BioTek Synergy HT Reader. Other readers may be integrated. Since the time required to read a plate may vary (i.e., 96 or 384), plates are placed into the incubation section at the plate reader interval. This enables the same uniform incubation time on all plates. This is particularly important if the system is being used for both 96 and 384 well plates. A 96 well plate can be moved in and out and read in approximately two minutes (30 plates/hour). A 384 well plate may take six minutes (10 plates/hour).
Ordering Information

MERLIN
plate handling and incubation system
Cat. No. 735-100

Please call your Local Sales Representative for current pricing.