The requirement
was for high-throughput "cherry picking" of frozen liquid samples
to/from 4.5mm MTP storage format. The result was a substantial "robot"
using two independent picking heads driven by linear motors. In the
heads, arrays of custom-designed actuators select required samples in
parallel from source plates and deliver, with re-arraying, to
destination plates. An integrated 5-channel vision system provides
on-the-fly QA.
Ryan Research development activities included:
Concept design & throughput modelling
Proof-of-principle development of custom actuators
Detailed structural, electronic and mechanical design
Selection of motion system components & liaison with suppliers
