ASKION AT SLAS 2025

Automated SBS Rack handling

The new HS200 S has a x/y/z Handling system similar to our larger systems HS200 M/L. But due to the smaller working area there is only one moving axis. The M/L has two axles; one fixed gripper for the SBS racks and one gripper for tube cherry picking (CP). This CP axis can automatically interchange grippers for different tube types.

The new HS200 S single axis is capable to interchange to all gripper types. It consists of rack grippers (SBS or such as 10 x 10), different CP tube grippers, blood cassette grippers and completely new types of grippers.

With this new handling system, we are able to work with a minimum space consumption in the working area with all common and future consumables.

Multiple single tube handling

The new HS200 S has a x/y/z Handling system similar to our larger systems HS200 M/L. But due to the smaller working area there is only one moving axis. The M/L has two axles; one fixed gripper for the SBS racks and one gripper for tube cherry picking (CP). This CP axis can automatically interchange grippers for different tube types.

The new HS200 S single axis is capable to interchange to all gripper types. It consists of rack grippers (SBS or such as 10 x 10), different CP tube grippers, blood cassette grippers and completely new types of grippers.

With this new handling system, we are able to work with a minimum space consumption in the working area with all common and future consumables.

Gripper changing system

The new HS200 S has a x/y/z Handling system similar to our larger systems HS200 M/L. But due to the smaller working area there is only one moving axis. The M/L has two axles; one fixed gripper for the SBS racks and one gripper for tube cherry picking (CP). This CP axis can automatically interchange grippers for different tube types.

The new HS200 S single axis is capable to interchange to all gripper types. It consists of rack grippers (SBS or such as 10 x 10), different CP tube grippers, blood cassette grippers and completely new types of grippers.

With this new handling system, we are able to work with a minimum space consumption in the working area with all common and future consumables.

Handling temperature

(adjustable)

-80°C to -130°C

-112 °F to -202°F

The customer will be able to set the temperature of the working area to a temperature between -80°C to -130°C. You select what is the best for your samples and do not waste LN for a lower temperature than needed. Additionally, as a safety feature, the unit will not start to handle the samples until the working area temperature is at the desired level.

Integrated scanning

Our HS200 S has an integrated scanner for 2D bottom barcode and 1D side barcode (optional) in the ultra-low temperature (down to -150 °C) for cold samples. Additionally, we read the side barcode of the SBS racks. The scanning works with standard SBS racks and HD SBS racks. This enables you to do all the scanning of cold samples inside the machine for process control and without bringing samples in a warm atmosphere, where you get uncontrolled warming of the samples and condensation on the outside. This condensed water freezes later on when you bring the samples back to the cold.

You can select how many control steps you want to integrate in your process to make it safe. For example, scanning of any sample during retrieval of tubes to make a double check to get the right tube.

AI supported sample handing

The new HS200 S is our first system, which gets our new in process sample watch®. We have learnt that the sample handling process as a technical process is never 100% safe. To avoid sample losses and destruction we have to detect deviations from the planned process in real time. Based on this detection we know when it happens, where the lost samples are and what is the potential for further harm to the samples. For example, laying on a tray which moves as the next step back to the tank or laying on the track of a drive mechanism. In both cases the samples have a good chance to be destroyed with the next steps in the process. Therefore, the handling system would decide to stop immediately to avoid this sample loss and show possible rescue steps. If the sample is lost from the gripper and laying on an uncritical spot inside the cooled handling area, the system would flag the sample loss, but it would continue the work. By flagging the sample loss, the system automatically makes sure our control software C-line control corrects the storage history of this sample. If the sample is not retrieved from the cold working area and acknowledged to C-line control, the system would not allow the operator to shut down the cooling of the handling area after finishing the handling.

The realization of the feature in process sample watch® is done by a constant image watch of the active gripper system and its vicinity. By knowing the executed program steps of our firmware, we know in which phases the sample is on the gripper and when not. In addition, we know if the sample is properly placed or not. The AI is trained for those situations. During operation it constantly checks the images, if there is a discrepancy between the real image and the supposed state. If we see a discrepancy, we flag it as a failure and analyze the system. Especially, the system checks if following steps could lead to any possible sample loss. Based on the result we decide to continue the process or to stop immediately.

Tests have shown a rate of 85 % recognition of sample losses and a nearly 100 % sample protection. Further AI training will even help to increase this rate in the future.

Possible automatically performed recovery steps are in the development process.

This new feature will start with the new HS200 S, but it will be rolled out to all our cryo systems, also as a retrofit.

Dimensions (W x L x H)

1,000 x 1,800 x 2,500 (mm)

3,3 x 5,9 x 8,2 (ft.)

Weight

870 kg | 1918 lbs

Operating conditions

Temperature: 0 to +40°C (+32 to +104 °F)

Rel. Humidity: 15 to 60%

Max. power input

2000 W

Single sample storage

internal high density format

The systems work with an internal shape optimized stack of trays (we call it racks) structure. Those trays can carry either tubes of different types or SBS racks. For the maximum package density of samples, the tube tray is the best solution. SBS rack trays can carry only 30-40 % of samples of tube trays (depending on the sample size). The idea behind the SBS rack trays is a loading/retrieval of larger quantities of samples in SBS racks. For example, if you want to load 800 tubes into the system, you load those SBS racks with the tubes into the system to SBS rack trays. After the loading is finished, and there is no operator action required at the system anymore, the samples are automatically distributed to the tube trays for a maximum package density. The empty SBS racks are remaining at the SBS trays and will be move out when the next loading/unloading takes place.

We call it caching of samples. It is used to load/unload large quantities of samples without binding the operator to the machine for a long time.

You can also store only SBS racks, but then you end up with a lower capacity. The mix between SBS rack trays and tube trays can be chosen by the customer. The SBS rack trays can be used for standard SBS racks and HD SBS racks. Other formats like 10 x 10 or blood cassettes are also possible with the corresponding gripper.

The tube trays can be use also for special applications like goblets for straws.

SBS Rack storage

(Standard and HD)

The systems work with an internal shape optimized stack of trays (we call it racks) structure. Those trays can carry either tubes of different types or SBS racks. For the maximum package density of samples, the tube tray is the best solution. SBS rack trays can carry only 30-40 % of samples of tube trays (depending on the sample size). The idea behind the SBS rack trays is a loading/retrieval of larger quantities of samples in SBS racks. For example, if you want to load 800 tubes into the system, you load those SBS racks with the tubes into the system to SBS rack trays. After the loading is finished, and there is no operator action required at the system anymore, the samples are automatically distributed to the tube trays for a maximum package density. The empty SBS racks are remaining at the SBS trays and will be move out when the next loading/unloading takes place.

We call it caching of samples. It is used to load/unload large quantities of samples without binding the operator to the machine for a long time.

You can also store only SBS racks, but then you end up with a lower capacity. The mix between SBS rack trays and tube trays can be chosen by the customer. The SBS rack trays can be used for standard SBS racks and HD SBS racks. Other formats like 10 x 10 or blood cassettes are also possible with the corresponding gripper.

The tube trays can be use also for special applications like goblets for straws.

Capacities

0.3 ml vials

0.5 ml vials

1.0 ml vials

2.0 ml vials

Goblets (for straws)

Blood bags

Other formats