Automation-Friendly FlipTube® Increases Pipetting Throughput

Hamilton Robotics introduces the FlipTube, for use on the company’s MICROLAB® STAR and NIMBUS automated liquid handling platforms. This 1.5 mL polypropylene microcentrifuge tube features a snap-cap that can be automatically opened and closed using an independent pipetting channel, eliminating manual steps.

The automated opening and closing of this novel reaction tube minimizes evaporation and contamination. Elimination of the manual steps cuts time requirements by 20 percent for higher throughput and longer unattended runs. This proprietary tube is the first of its kind on the market.

“The steps of opening and closing tubes have always been a bottleneck on automation platforms,” commented Rick Luedke, marketing manager for Hamilton Robotics. “The ability to automate significantly reduces the risk of cross-contamination and sample slashes.”