VP 550

Some robot systems (MWG, Qiagen, PerkinElmer, Caliper (Zymark) Sciclone and some custom systems) have the ability to pick up the pin tool from a docking station much like a tool changer on a CNC.  If your robot system has this "hot swapable" capability then you will want to use the VP 550 or VP 550A Docking Station.  Both Docking Stations have an indent feature that captures the bottom float plate of all our tube style pin tools except the PerkinElmer pin tools.  This indent feature holds the pin tool securely while the robot picks it up or parks it.    The bottom surface of the Docking Station has the same dimensions of a microplate and will fit into tiles or nests built for the SBS standard microplate.  This facilitates placing the Docking Station on the robot deck.

VP 550A

The new VP 550A docking station was developed to accommodate our new pin tools with 30 mm exposed length pins (FP_T series).  As these longer pins would touch the bottom of the VP 550 docking station we were forced to build a docking station with greater depth - the VP 550A.  We recommend all future purchases to be the VP 550A as it will handle all our current pen lengths.  If you have already purchased the VP 550 we will maintain stock on these so you won't have to re-program your robot.

VP 550A-TeMO

The VP 550A-TeMO attaches to the Tecan TeMO deck via ball detents and mates to the VP 550 or VP 550A with 2 pins that fit into the 2 locating holes on the bottom of the VP 550 or VP 550A.   This feature allows using a lower position on the TeMO deck so that pin tools with greater Z heights can be accommodated.

The photo to the right illustrates a pin tool with a TeMO mount docked in the
VP 550A-TeMO docking station.

PerkinElmer Biosciences makes and sells a special docking station for the PerkinElmer/V&P Scientific pin tools.

Even if your robot does not have tool changing ability you will want a safe place to store it.  The Docking Station is the place.

Pin Tool docking station, constructed of polypropylene,  Bottom foot print = SBS standard....VP 550

Mounting plates for robot systems

VP 540M

If you are using a MultiMek, MultiPette, PlateTrak, MiniTrak , EP3, Flipper or other system designed by Carl Creative Systems with a pipet tip loader or fountain pipet tip washing reservoir, you can use our universal adaptor to exchange those precious deck positions for any object with a standard microplate footprint.  The VP 540M Adaptor has two holes in the bottom that register to the two pins that locate both the tip loading station and the tip washing reservoir.  The 6 pins you see on the top here are used to locate a microplate.  However static wash and blot stations can also be placed here.   If you are using a pin tool, you don't need the tip loader.  Just another good idea from V&P to give you more work area.  You can see how they are used in the movie of a Sagian MultiPette robot at this link.  A custom modified version of the adaptor can also be used to locate our Bubble Paddle Reservoirs on the tip loading position.

FXALP-FM

If you are using a Beckman FX and want a different height or different feature on the mounting platform.  Don't call Beckman, call us we have been solving problems for FX users when Beckman can't or won't.

Follow this link for examples applications we have done for the FX ALP systems.

VP 530C

The reservoir on the right was built for an FX user that wanted a large reservoir that would hold 700 ml and still fit on the FX deck with out affecting other positions.  The VP 530C was our solution.

We have made many reagent reservoirs with control wells in a variety of configurations.  Check them out on this page.

VP 555

The VP 555 Pin Tool Storage Station is used to protect the pins when not in use on the robot.

Typically our Pin Tool customers would set our Pin Tools down on a pipet tip lid box or turn the pins upside down exposing the pins to dust and debris.  We do not recommend either of these options.  We have built a safe Storage Station (VP 555) that will both protect the pins from accidents and contamination. 

All of the V&P Scientific Pin Tools except the Perkin Elmer models can be safely stored in these stations.  These Storage Stations have 2 indexing grooves that capture the bottom float plate on the Pin Tool.  The Pin Tool is simply slid into position and is locked in place by dropping into a depression in the groove.  To remove the Pin Tool simply lift up the tool and slide out.  With some robot systems it may be possible to use the V&P Storage Station as a Docking Station.

VP