Automatic Pipetting

The next generation of laboratory automation has arrived

 

Opentrons Flex, your perfect partner

Unlike other laboratory automation systems available today, Opentrons Flex is an innovative invention that offers high flexibility and versatility, effectively reducing manual operations.

 

Flex adapts to your needs

Give your laboratory automation more freedom:

compatibility Extensive API compatible with Design of Experiments programs, including AI drivers

flexibility Self-replaceable modular pipettes, plate grippers and upper hardware

openness Completely open source software and firmware, widely compatible with mainstream reagents with mainstream reagents and laboratory consumables

accessibility Multiple workstation configurations available; easy access to shared protocol resources

 

Powerful automation capabilities for your applications

 

 

NGS Library Preparation

With the Flex NGS Workstation, you can automate NGS library preparation on demand, increasing efficiency, reducing errors, and saving hands-on time. You can use any popular reagent on the market to automate all pre-sequencing workflows, including fragmentation- and tagging-based library preparation.

 

PCR

With the Flex PCR Workstation, you can fully automate your PCR setup and thermal cycling workflow for up to 96 samples. Aliquot cooled reagents and samples into 96-well PCR plates, use the Flex clamp to load the PCR plate into the thermal cycler on the Flex bench, and run the PCR program of your choice.

 

Protein Purification

Using the Flex Magnetic Bead Protein Purification Workstation, you can automate small-scale protein purification and proteomics sample preparation, processing up to 96 samples at a time. The workstation is compatible with many of the most popular magnetic bead-based reagents on the market.

 

Nucleic acid extraction

Using the Flex Nucleic Acid Extraction Workstation, you can automate DNA/RNA isolation and purification. The workstation is equipped with a Flex ring magnet for magnetic bead separation and an Opentrons thermal shaker for sample lysis and magnetic bead resuspension.

 

Reagent packaging

With the Flex Dispensing Station, you can automatically dispense samples or reagents from 2, 12, or 15 mL centrifuge tubes into 96-well plates. This workstation automates many of the laboratory's most repetitive and time-consuming basic liquid dispensing tasks.

 

Precision in a desktop pipetting workstation

Accuracy	8% at 1 µL
Accuracy	5% at 1 µL
deck trough	2 deck slots + 4 dedicated deck slots for tips and labware
size	87 × 69 × 84 cm (width, depth, height)

 

	Easily set up protocols via touch screen You can select and run the protocols you need from your lab bench using the touchscreen, which also guides you through deck setup and automatic calibration.
The rotating plate claw hand extends the unattended time The Flex's rotating plate gripper can move plates and tip racks on the deck, or on and between modules, maximizing experimental throughput and extending unattended time.
	Feature modules that fit your workflow Opentrons function modules work seamlessly with our pipetting stations and software and can be easily replaced on your own. We offer functional modules such as Opentrons Thermal Cycling Modules, Thermal Oscillation Modules, Temperature Control Modules and Ring Magnetic Stands.
Easily replaceable pipettes We offer easily interchangeable 1-, 8-, and 96-channel pipettes for precise and reliable pipetting from 1 to 1000 µL. single channel 1–50 μL 5–1000 μL 8 channels 1–50 μL 5–1000 μL 96 channels 5–1000 μL

 

Flex adapts to your experimental workflow

Choose a protocol that suits your workflow and experience to precisely customize your experimental workflow.

protocol designer You can create new protocols using our simple and intuitive drag-and-drop interface.

protocol library You can browse a large number of open source protocols online through the online protocol library.

Python protocol API Write your experimental protocols using our open source Python protocol API.

custom protocol A team of applied scientists creates optimized custom protocols for you.

 

Technical parameters

• size

  87 × 69 × 84 cm / 34.25 × 27 × 33 in (width, depth, height)

  Only half your lab bench

• weight

  88.5 Viewed / 195 Boss

• Pipette overview

  Flex pipettes feature air displacement technology for precise pipetting from 1 to 1000 microliters

  Smart sensors enable automatic calibration, real-time positioning and error detection

  The Flex gantry can be equipped with any two Flex single-channel or 8-channel pipettes, or a single Flex 96-channel pipette.

  Flex pipettes are installation-friendly and you can easily install and replace pipettes

• Pipette volume parameters

  Flex single-channel pipette: 1–50 µL, 5–1000 µL

  Flex 8-channel pipette: 1–50 µL, 5–1000 µL

  Flex 96-channel pipette: 5–1000 µL

• Turn plate gripper parameters

  Opentrons Flex plate transfer grippers can transfer well plates, reservoirs and tip racks. Depending on the setup, the swiveling plate grabber can move lab supplies into deck slots, between modules, or into bins.

• deck

  12 ANSI/SLAS compliant main deck slots (work area with access to pipette and plate grippers)

  4 additional slots for tips and laboratory supplies (positioning area, only accessible to transfer plate gripper)

  Deck can be reconfigured by removing deck troughs and replacing them with other deck fixtures, including removable bins and module trays

• Smart touch screen

  Flex is equipped with a 7-inch LCD touch screen, which is made of anti-scratch and anti-damage LCD material. Users can complete experimental settings by simply touching the screen.

• Connectivity

  802.11 ac/a/b/g/n dual-band (2.4/5GHz), USB 2.0, Ethernet

• Camera

  Integrated camera (future customization feature)

• Power requirements

  Power adapter input: 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 4.0 A / 115 VAC, 2.0 A / 230 VAC

• Frame composition

  Designed with rigid steel and CNC aluminum

  The frame frames the openings for the polycarbonate side windows and front door. Allows for easy removal and integration of external equipment (e.g. robotic arms)

• Operating temperature and relative humidity

  Recommended 20-25°C

  Recommended 40-60%RH

• Single channel accuracy and precision

  Pipette	Measuring range		random error			Systematic error
  	μl	%D	μl	%CV		μl
  1–50 µL	1 10 50	±8.00% ±1.50% ±1.25%	0.08µl 0.15µl 0.625µl	±5.00% ±0.50% ±0.40%		0.05µl 0.05µl 0.20µl
  5–1000 µL	5 50 200	±5% ±0.5% ±0.5%	0.25µl 0.25µl 1.00µl	±2.50% ±0.30% ±0.15%		0.125µl 0.15µl 0.30µl

• sterility

  Designed with a full polycarbonate shell to limit exposure. Opentrons Flex is not a sterile environment. Optional HEPA/UV accessories are under development.

• Viscous liquid

  For guidance on automating the handling of viscous liquids, see our application notes. This data was developed on OT-2, and the practical results are still useful for Opentrons Flex.

  Viscous liquid handling automation with Opentrons OT-2

• API compatibility

  Interface with any product that has an API

  Opentrons software is open source and users can adapt the software as needed to interface with other products. While all integrations are possible, they all require custom code work, i.e. most customers will need to write custom libraries and install packages that don't come with the robot.

  learn more

• operating system

  Windows 10, macOS 10.10 or higher, Ubuntu 12.04 or higher.

  Opentrons app

• Tip compatibility

  Using Opentrons Flex Tips and Opentrons Flex Filter Tips

  Opentrons guarantees the performance of Opentrons Flex tips designed specifically for Opentrons Flex. Opentrons Flex tips do not have a uniform hole size. Opentrons cannot guarantee the performance of third-party tips.

• Labware Compatibility

  You can use common supplies already in our lab supplies library, or add your own. If your lab consumables fit Opentrons Flex but are not in the lab consumables library, you can add them using our Consumables Creator or have our team assist you in adding them.

  learn more

• Warranty

  Comes with one year warranty

• Certification

  Certification completed (CE, FCC, NRTL, CB, ISO 9001)

  Not certified/validated (IVD, GMP)

• packing list

  

  Flex robot

  calibration module

  trash can

  Spare deck clamp

  Spare deck trough, replacement waste bin

  Power and zone IEC cables

  Ethernet cable

  lifting handle

  tool kit