Abstract: A method is described of operating a pipetting system (10) that has a worktable (12), at least one manipulator arm (18), and first and second Z-rods (20?,20?) arranged on the at least one manipulator arm (18). The method involves receiving by the second Z-rod (20?) a tool (24) via an adapter attached to the second Z-rod (20?), wherein the tool (24) has a central axis and a working area, the working area being defined by a circle which center is located on the central axis of the tool (24) and which radius being a distance between the central axis and a largest extension of an outline of the tool (24) in a projection.

Abstract: A rotary valve comprises a stator member with a stator face, the stator member having at least two stator channels for conducting a fluid and opening into the stator face; a rotor member with a rotor face facing and in contact with the stator face, the rotor member having a rotor channel in the rotor face, wherein the rotor member is rotatable with respect to the stator member about a rotation axis, such that in a conducting position, the rotor channel interconnects the at least two stator channels to be in fluid communication; and a rotary encoder assembly adapted for determining a rotary position of the rotor member, the rotary encoder assembly comprising an encoder member and an encoder module, which is adapted to sense a rotary position of the encoder member. The encoder member is rigidly connected to the rotor member and surrounds the rotor member.

Abstract: A laboratory automation device comprises a workspace with liquid containers and a pipetting arm for moving liquids between the liquid containers; a housing enclosing the workspace; a door of the housing for accessing the workspace, wherein the door comprises a transparent display for displaying information and for allowing a person to view into the workspace and a tracking sensor for tracking an eye position of the person. The laboratory automation device is adapted for determining the eye position of the person from sensor data acquired with the tracking sensor; and for displaying information for a notification area in the workspace on the transparent display, such that the information is displayed from a perspective of the person in front of the notification area.

Abstract: A method of selecting pipetting parameters of a pipetting device for dispensing or pipetting a specific volume of a liquid sample, includes a fluid column of a fluid chamber of the pipetting device set into oscillation at the beginning of the aspiration, the pressure is monitored with the pressure transducer in the fluid chamber, and the pressure changes generated during aspiration into measuring signals are recorded. These measuring signals are processed by a computer or micro-processor and reproduced as a pressure curve, which is characteristic for the fluid column with the aspirated liquid sample, and which is compared with known pressure curves. Based on this comparison, pipetting parameters of the pipetting device are selected for the dispense or for pipetting a specific volume of the liquid sample. Selectable pipetting parameters include a speed of a movement of a pump piston of the pipetting device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for classifying a liquid (1) in a known pipetting system for this liquid (1), the method being characterized in that the changes of a selected, measurable, and physically founded virtual parameter are detected as a data set typical for this liquid (1); this typical data set of the selected virtual parameter is compared to corresponding data sets of known liquids, and the liquid (1) is classified on the basis of this comparison. An especially preferred method and a device for classifying a liquid (1) relate to a device which comprises a fluid chamber (2), to which a measuring chamber (3) is connected, whose internal pressure is monitored using a pressure transducer (4). At least a first part (5) of this fluid chamber (2) may be brought into fluid connection with a sample (6) of this liquid (1).

Abstract: The ejection orifice (7) of a micropump including a baseplate (3) of glass and a cover plate (4) of silicon and intended for ejecting small liquid drops, has a diameter of about 50 &mgr;m, and is located in the center of a flat front surface (12) which, in order to avoid accumulations of liquid in the region of the ejection orifice (7), is only 8 times the area thereof and, along a continuous circular edge, is adjacent a lateral surface (13) in the form of an envelope of truncated cone. The front surface (12) and the lateral surface (13) have a surface roughness of not more than N4 and are provided, for example, with a hydrophobic plasma polymer coating.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus has, in a housing (13), a cannula (8) whose rear end is connected to a diluter (17) via a connecting tube (16). A piezoelectric actuator (10) increases in length under the action of a control signal and acts on a membrane (6) pierced by the cannula tip (9) and belonging to an interchangeable polypropylene pipette tip mounted on the delivery apparatus and adhering to the housing (13) by means of a collar (7) resting against said housing, and causing said membrane to sag, with the result that a drop of a sample liquid which was previously sucked in by means of the diluter (17) and whose accurately adjustable volume is between 1 nl and 1 &mgr;l is ejected from an outlet orifice (4). After a pipetting process the pipette tip is ejected by means of a slide (15). If the level of the sample liquid in the pipette tip always remains below the cannula tip (9), virtually no carry-over occurs.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming shaped material from a raw material employs a substantially cylindrical housing 3 with a screw shaft 2 arranged in it. A frontal end surface of the housing, located at the downstream end is closed by a counter-pressure member 9 which, together with the housing 3, limits a discharge opening. The counter-pressure member is held against conveyed material by a force of predetermined magnitude acting opposite the conveying direction. Surprisingly, this results in a high compactness and a good stability of shape of the shaped material, and also facilitates a starting of such an apparatus. Removable teeth define an orifice.