In labs, the employment of collaborative robots, sometimes known as "cobots,"  is seeing an upsurge. Compared to traditional and conventional industrial robots, cobots provide a wide range of advantages, including flexibility, relative affordability and the ability to work safely near to humans. 

 

As the number of drug discovery labs (amongst others) using collaborative robots increases, it is necessary to think about some of the new factors that affect this technology. These considerations can include:

 

Safety: Still in the early stages of adoption, collaborative robots’ capabilities are restricted in comparison to those of conventional industrial robots. Before extensively employing collaborative robots in laboratory automation processes, there are significant safety issues that must be considered, for instance:

 

• Staff and user safety: Collaborative robots are automated laboratory equipment built from the get-go with human safety in mind. However, caution is required to guarantee proper safety measures have been implemented (according to the manufacturer's safety recommendations and the variety of ISO standards that inform our engineers).

• The safety of your processes: By enclosing the robotic elements of your assays within a protective environment, we ensure that your processes are meticulously recorded and safe from external influences. 

 

Flexibility: Adaptable and able to perform a variety of tasks, cobots are useful for a wide range of lab workflows. Picking a collaborative robot that can manage the specific required processes of your labs is crucial.

 

Remote access: After the global Covid-19 pandemic, working from home has become more and more normal, and creating a working environment that allows for it is crucial in ensuring employee retention and satisfaction. Facilitating full process management and technological implementation, Fujifilm Wako Automation's lab automation software, Director 7, uses a world-class, cutting-edge web-based application framework that works in perfect synergy with the LabworX Smartcel range.

Cost: When compared to conventional industrial robots, collaborative robots tend to be more cost-effective with rapid return on investment (ROI). The cost of a collaborative robot will, of course, vary from one to the next depending on a cobot’s specific capabilities and features.

 

"ISO/TS 15066 has certain speed requirements: The impact force of an end effector, for instance, would only be permitted within the specified tolerance."

 

When deciding whether to use a collaborative lab automation robot for your assays, it is important to consider not only the cost of the robot itself, but also the cost of setup, maintenance, training, and software, as well as the reduction of potential damage from operator error or instrumental impact, which is often overlooked. Sourcing all of these elements can be tricky. At Flexible Lab Solutions, however, we provide everything you need. 

 

These regulations specify what must be done to ensure the security of collaborative robots and other robot systems. The safe use and best practice of collaborative robots in research settings depends on adhering to these guidelines.

 

"The Smartcel range can, however, allow for more rapid speeds than any other integrated workcell, as we have designed and built a powerful and sensitive interlock system."

 

ISO/TS 15066 “Robots and Robotic Devices – Collaborative Robots” is not specific to laboratory cobots, but there isn't a standard that is. We carefully select all the robots used at Flexible Lab Solutions, and ensure that they are assessed by the manufacturer to meet the requirements of the standard. A key part of this testing process involves using them exactly in accordance with the user guide and at no more than 100% speed. Due to our cobots being enclosed in the Smartcel 2, we can move at higher speeds. The lack of a universal standard for collaborative robots makes it more challenging to choose the best model for any given task. Laboratory usage of collaborative robots is increasing despite several obstacles. As they continue to improve in reliability and cost, cobots offer several advantages over traditional industrial robots. Given how we are seeing more and more cobots in research settings, it is crucial that users understand the most up-to-date factors associated with this technology. At Flexible Lab Solutions, we have chosen Brook’s PreciseFlex 400 Sample Handler (PF400) as our preferred cobot. 

 

Lab automation cobots have many benefits over conventional industrial robots, such as their adaptability, their inexpensive price and the fact that they may operate safely in close proximity to people. Modern industrial robots are becoming less suitable in more and more cases for lab automation, especially where there is a drive for humans and robots to occupy work spaces together.

 

As the number of labs using collaborative robots surges, it is of vital importance that we think about some of the new factors that affect this technology. Safety, adaptability, affordability, and meeting ISO requirements are all factors to consider. 

 

ISO/TS 15066 has certain speed requirements: The impact force of an end effector, for instance, would only be permitted within the specified tolerance. The Smartcel range can, however, allow for more rapid speeds than any other integrated workcell, as we have designed and built a powerful and sensitive interlock system. Laboratories can, ofcourse, still utilise collaborative speeds so your processes can continue to interact with humans.

 

With focus-precision and creative thinking being key elements to the design process, our dedicated and experienced team of engineers take your requirements and create a bespoke automated lab workcell, namely the LabworX Smartcel 2. At Flexible Lab Solutions, we believe in total protection for both your people and your microbiology processes. 

Find out about how Fujifilm’s Wako Automation’s scheduling laboratory automation software, Director 7, works seamlessly with the LabworX Smartcel 2 system. 

Fujifilm Wako Automation - Director 7