Hardware overview

About this topic

This topic describes the hardware features of the BenchCel device. Note that the figures in this topic show a BenchCel device with two labware racks only. All the major components and functions are the same for devices with four and six labware racks.

 

WARNING  Do not operate the BenchCel Microplate Handler without the safety shield. Doing so increases the risk of injury.

Front view

 

 

Item	Feature	Description
1	Labware rack	The accessory that stores labware to be processed in a run. For details, see Labware racks.
2	Stacker head	The structure at which: • A labware rack is loaded. Two sensors inside of each stacker head detect the presence of the racks. • A microplate is checked for type and orientation using a plate-presence sensor and four plate-orientation sensors. • A microplate is lowered into the stacker grippers to begin a run. See Stacker head for the location and detailed descriptions of the sensors.
3	Air pressure regulator	The knob that you turn to adjust the air pressure inside the device. Compressed air is used to move components inside the stacker heads. Each regulator controls the air pressure to the two adjacent stacker heads. For details, see Adjusting the stacker gripper pressure.
4	Safety shield	The clear panel that is installed on the front of the BenchCel device to prevent access while it is in operation.
5	Pendant	The component that is part of the safety interlock circuit, which must be closed for the BenchCel device to operate. Pressing the raised button on the pendant interrupts the safety circuit and disables the robot motors. Use this method of stopping the robot for emergencies only.
6	Rack-release button	The button that unlocks the rack for removal. The rack-release button at the top of each stacker head displays different colors to indicate the state of the stacker head: • Green. The labware rack is installed correctly on the BenchCel device and the microplates are unloaded. The stack of microplates are ready for processing or you can unlock and remove the labware rack. • Flashing green. The labware rack is unlocked and can be removed. • Blue. The stack of microplates is loaded. You cannot unlock and remove the labware rack. • Red. The clamps are open without a rack installed. Do not install a rack until the clamps are closed.
7	Robot head	The component that moves horizontally along the x-axis and vertically along the z-axis.
8	Robot arms	Two parallel structures that are attached to and rotate about the robot head along the theta-axis.
9	Robot grippers	The structures inside the robot arms that close and open to hold and release a microplate. Using the provided software, you can adjust the distance between the grippers to hold a microplate loosely or tightly.

Back view

 

 

Item	Feature	Description
1	Air-input fitting	Connects the air tubing to the BenchCel device. Compressed air is used to actuate components inside the stacker head.
2	Power switch	Turns on or off the power to the BenchCel device.
3	AC power entry	Connects the power cord to the BenchCel device.
4	Ethernet port	Connects the Ethernet cable from the controlling computer to the BenchCel device to allow communication between the computer and the device. Use this port as an alternative to the serial connection.
5	Serial port	Connects the serial cable from the controlling computer to the BenchCel device to allow communication between the computer and the device. Use this port as an alternative to the Ethernet connection.
6	Pendant port	Connects the pendant to the safety interlock circuit.

Stacker head

At the top of the BenchCel device are stacker heads that contain infrared sensors and mechanical components that load and unload microplates during operation.

 

The following table lists and describes the various components inside the stacker head.

 

Feature	Description
Plate-presence sensor	Detects the presence of a microplate in the stack. One plate-presence sensor is on the back wall of each stacker head.
Rack-presence sensors	Detect the presence of labware racks. Two rack sensors are on the back wall of each stacker head.
Plate-orientation sensors	Detect the presence of notches in microplates. Four sensors are in the inside corners of each stacker head. For details of how the sensors work, see Setting sensor thresholds.
Clamps	Close and open the grippers at the bottom of the labware rack to hold and release microplates during loading, unloading, downstacking, and upstacking processes. Two clamps are inside each stacker head. Compressed air is used to open and close the clamps.
Shelves	Provide leveling surfaces for the microplates, thus ensuring accurate robot gripping, during the downstacking process. Two shelves (four leveling surfaces) are inside each stacker head. Compressed air is used to move the shelves.

Labware racks

 

 

The labware racks are available in two models:

•	Front-load rack in 250-mm and 660-mm sizes

•	Top-load rack in 660-mm and 860-mm sizes

Both rack models have the following basic components.

Figure. Front-load rack components

 

 

Item	Name	Description
1	Carrying handle	The top-load and front-load racks have fold-down carrying handles.
2	Tabs	A pair of vertical tabs are located at the bottom on the rack sides. The tabs insert into slots on the device when you mount the rack onto the device.
3	Stacker grippers	A gripper is located on the interior bottom of each tab. The pair of grippers hold a microplate during the labware loading, unloading, downstacking, and upstacking processes. A clamp in the device opens and closes the grippers.

 

 

The following figure shows a closeup view of a labware rack, with the stacker grippers holding a microplate. The front wall of the rack is not shown to reveal the stacker grippers that are hidden from view.

Figure. Labware rack closeup view showing microplate held by the stacker grippers

 

Related information

 

For more information about…	See…
BenchCel Microplate Handler description	BenchCel Microplate Handler description
Integration options	Integration options for workstations
Automation-ready labware	Labware considerations
Software that controls the BenchCel Microplate Handler	Software description
Safety information	Safety guidelines
Installation requirements	Verifying laboratory requirements