Four Pipetting Heads
To meet the changing needs of today's requirements, the operator can easily change the pipetting head. The front panel swings open, 4 bolts and two connectors converts the Quadra 3 to a 384, 96SV (small volume), 96 well pipettor with disposable tips or a 384 well 200µL head. The displayed programs change automatically, with the pipetting heads.

Small Volume Precision Pipetting
The 384 and 96SV pipettors, are Tomtec's new patented positive displacement design that can pipette 0.5µL volumes with a CV of 2-3%. They provide a 100 fold dilution directly from the compound plate to the 1% DMSO requirement of the assay plate. The 60µL total volume enables pipeline pipetting to aspirate all of the protocol reagents in one pass, using air gap separation. The tips are Teflon^® coated inside and outside. They provide an inert hydrophobic surface. It is easily and thoroughly cleaned with the on-board ultrasonic tip washing system, reducing any carryover to an undetectable quantity.

384 well 200µL Pipetting
This head uses our positive displacement design (pat. pend.). At the 0.5µL level, it can still provide CV's of 4% or less. Software for the Quadra 3 provides liquid following to enable aspirating or dispensing from a 384 deep well plate. This is an ideal approach for 384 deep well plate filling and multiple plate replications when used with a Quadra 3.

Disposable Tips 450µL
The 96 well head, with 450µL disposable tips, is the time proven Quadra pipettor. It can operate as an air displacement or positive displacement pipettor. The on-board air compressor of the Quadra 3 can provide forced air blow out of residual water after a tip wash. The precision from 10µL to 450µL is 3% or better.

Full Function Workstation

The cassette stackers deliver microplates and reservoirs directly to the shuttle. The multiple shuttle stations, combined with pipeline pipetting, sequences the addition of all assay components in one continuous motion. The tips are ultrasonically cleaned and the next plate is processed. When equipped with a 96 well pipetting head, the indexing stage permits 96 and 384 intermixing. Program controlled restacking allows multi-pass protocols with ambient incubation in between. The Quadra 3 is truly a flexible pipetting workstation for the automation of today's workload.

Complete Programming Flexibility
The on-board computer and display permits easy programming of any pipetting sequence. Air gaps, aspirate and dispense volumes, unique mixing functions combined with the full indexing stage and stacker operations, permit the most complex protocols to be entered. Programs can be created off line, and transferred by disk. For added convenience a full keyboard and display may be plugged into the Quadra 3.

Windows Programming

Quadra Command is an intuitive Windows program. This high level program automates the various steps for the convenient creation of assay protocols, with the click of a mouse. Special program features include Serial Dilution Wizard, Plate Transfer Wizard, Program Tracking and Audit Functions, as well as novel timing capabilities.

Advanced Design Elements
Bi-directional cassette stackers eliminate handling individual microplates. Quickly move cassettes containing 25 (or 50) microplates between devices - from Mega-Stor to Quadra 3 to Quadra-Wash, etc.

The Quadra 3 stage enables full indexing. It allows aspirating in one format and dispensing in another (i.e. 96 to 384 to 1536 or 384 to 1536). In addition, serial dilutions can be made using single rows of tips in either the 8 or 12 direction.

Reliability and Ease of Service
High production equipment must remain productive. If service is required it must be simple, quick, and efficient. The Quadra 3 is designed for that purpose, be it the user's service personnel or Tomtec's. The shuttle and front covers are quickly removed. This provides full uncluttered access to the Quadra 3 moving parts - shuttle drive, indexing stage and stacker assemblies. Complete sub-assemblies may be quickly exchanged and full operation resumed.

The removable back panel provides full and quick access to the electronic components. Built in test points expedite trouble shooting the system's pneumatics. A fault may be quickly diagnosed and repaired.

The control parameters within the Quadra 3 are all software controlled and adjusted. An on-board diagnostic program pinpoints faulty operation. Component alignment is by software commands, not mechanical light switch adjustments. A quick telephone call to 1-877-TOMTEC3 will assist the user, should any query on applications or operation arise.