Abstract: A mixing apparatus containing a drive unit having a drive and a shaft that is pivotable about a pivot axis and is operatively connected to the drive. A pivotable receptacle is arranged on the shaft, where the pivot axis is oriented essentially horizontally, and the pivotable receptacle has a base plate and at least one retainer spaced therefrom, and the pivotable receptacle is configured in such a way that holders for containers can be inserted between the base plate and the at least one retainer in the direction of the pivot axis.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus containing a drive unit having a drive and a shaft that is pivotable about a pivot axis and is operatively connected to the drive. A pivotable receptacle is arranged on the shaft, where the pivot axis is oriented essentially horizontally, and the pivotable receptacle has a base plate and at least one retainer spaced therefrom, and the pivotable receptacle is configured in such a way that holders for containers can be inserted between the base plate and the at least one retainer in the direction of the pivot axis.

Abstract: A plate and method for positioning functional elements in a system for working with fluid-containing samples includes a horizontal work field having a lengthwise dimension and a perpendicularly extending transverse dimension, as well as a robot arm with a functional element, aligned essentially perpendicularly to the work field in a Z direction. The robot arm can move the functional element in at least a partial region of the work field in the X and/or Y direction. The plate includes two light barriers which intersect inside the partial region, each having a transmitter and receiver whose scanning or detection beams each extend in a direction deviating from the X direction and/or from the Y direction.

Abstract: A device (1) and method for positioning functional elements (2) and/or containers (3) in a system (4) for working with fluid-containing samples (5), the system (4) including an essentially horizontal work field (6) having a lengthwise dimension (X) and a transverse dimension (Y) extending essentially perpendicularly thereto, as well as at least one robot arm (7) having at least one functional element (2), aligned essentially perpendicularly to the work field (6) in a Z direction, the robot arm (7) being able to move the functional element (2) in at least a partial region (8) of the work field (6) in the X and/or Y direction.