Abstract: Laboratory instruments may be interfaced into an existing laboratory subsystem. The subsystem may be obtained including a first instrument, a transport assembly, and a controller configured to communicate with the first instrument and the transport assembly using a first data format. A second instrument may be attached to the subsystem using an adapter device to form a completed sample processing system. The second instrument may communicate using a second data format. The completed sample processing system may include a translation module configured to convert data from the second data format to the first data format. The completed sample processing system may be used to process biological or chemical samples using the transport assembly, the first instrument, and the second instrument. The translation module may convert the data communicated from the second instrument to the subsystem by converting the data from the second data format to the first data format.