Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing of optical fibers, including optical fibers that are part of an optical device. In one illustrative embodiment, one or more optical fibers may be secured to a work pallet that is moved within a processing system before, during and/or after processing of the fibers. Optical fibers may be picked from the work pallet and processed while a portion of the fibers remains secured to the work pallet. Two or more processes may be performed on a fiber for each pick of the fiber from the work pallet. Optical fibers may be handled by gripping devices that include one curved clamping surface and two planar surfaces. Gripping devices may operate in open, closed and contain states when handling optical fibers.

Abstract: An automated workstation capable of continuous, non-stop processing of specimens includes an environmentally controlled storage area that holds multiple cassettes containing specimen plates. A robotic arm for processing the specimens, e.g., by grasping the plates, moving them from the cassettes to other apparatus contained within the workstation, and placing the plates back in the cassettes. An interlock mechanism prevents the operator and robotic arm from simultaneously accessing a cassette. Novel robotic arms, robotic arm positioning mechanisms, plate handling mechanisms, effector tip/plate washing mechanisms, thin-walled pipetters, back-flushing mechanisms and fluid level detection mechanisms, as well as methods for operating the same, facilitate continuous operation of the workstation along with compactness, high throughput and high accuracy of operation. Narrow, thin-walled capillary-like pipetters serve as both means for acquiring and processing small quantity specimens with high precision.