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Supported Labware

Ian - Service & Support Manager
  • Updated

Introduction

This article lists information about the Labware and tips used on SQWERTY - Pipetting Robot.

Contents

Supported Labware

SQWERTY - Pipetting Robot will accept labware meeting the ANSI SBS standard (approx 128mm x 85mm). Smaller labware can be accomodated using a rack or adapter. This article may also be helpful : Labware - Hints and tips

Labware

Description
Microplates/multi-well plates
  • Any plate with between 1 and 384 wells can be set within the software
  • Can have flat, round or V bottoms
  • For the majority of work where a user wants to test multiple samples
Reservoir plates
  • SBS reservoirs
  • For large volumes of samples, e.g. > 50 mL
Deep-well plates
  • Any plate with between 1 and 384 wells
  • Can have flat, round or V bottoms
  • Deeper than standard plates
  • For workflows that have larger sample volumes
PCR/qPCR plates
  • 96 or 384-well plates with a V bottom
  • Can be used with skirted or semi-skirted sides
  • For carrying out workflows with small volumes
Custom plates
  • Racks for other labware can be made in partnership with Veon, or using the object creator
Tips
  • Tecan LiHa tips, validated suppliers and part codes listed below
  • If using other suppliers, user's responsibility to test accuracy

 

Supported tips and their suppliers

  • SQWERTY supports the Tecan LiHa style of robotic tip
  • Hanging wafer format (see photo)

Tips can come in a range of volumes: 10 µL, 20 µL, 50 µL, 175 µL, 200 µL and 1000 µL depending on the vendor and the presence/absence of filters.

There are many vendors that sell tips with Tecan cones. Not all have the same quality. The four companies tested are Thermo, Corning/Axygen, VWR/Ritter and StarLabs.

If using other vendors/manufacturers, the user will need to test the quality of the tips themselves, looking at the accuracy, precision, repeatability across the box, and reliability of pick up.

You can use different tips on different pipette modules, e.g. using 200 µL tips on the 1000 µL pipette module. This may lead to being able to pipette smaller volumes with higher precision.

 

Thermo Scientific

Volume (µL) Filter/non-filter Sterile/non-sterile Manufacturer part no.
10 Filter Sterile 901-021
20 Non-filter Sterile 901-261
50 Filter Sterile 902-021
50 Non-filter Sterile 902-261
175 Filter Sterile 903-021
200 Non-filter Sterile 903-261
1000 Filter Sterile 904-021
1000 Non-filter Sterile 904-261

Corning Axygen

Volume (µL) Filter/non-filter Sterile/non-sterile Manufacturer part no.
20 Filter Sterile TTF-20-C-HTR-S
50 Non-filter Non-sterile TT-50-C-HTR
25 Filter Sterile TTF-50-C-HTR-S
200 Non-filter Non-sterile TT-200-C-HTR
200 Non-filter Non-sterile TT-200-C-HTR-S
175 Filter Sterile TTF-200-C-HTR-S
1000 Non-filter Non-sterile TT-1000-C-HTR
1000 Non-filter Sterile TT-1000-C-HTR-S
1000 Filter Sterile TTF-1000-C-HTR-S


VWR/Ritter

Volume (µL) Filter/non-filter Sterile/non-sterile Manufacturer part no.
200 Non-filter Sterile 49102 – 0000
200 Non-filter Sterile 49102 – 0006
1000 Non-filter Sterile 49103 – 0000
1000 Non-filter Sterile 49103 – 0006
1000 Filter Sterile 49103 – 1106
1000 Non-filter Sterile 49133 – 0000

 

Star Labs

Manufacturer Manufacturer Part Number Tip Volume µL

Clear/

Conductive

 Filter Sterile Description
StarLabs R1128-5810 50 Clear Filter Non-sterile 50µl Filter Tip for Tecan®️ + Packard®️ (non-sterile)
StarLabs R1181-5700 50 Clear No Filter Non-sterile 50µl Tip for Tecan®️ & Packard®️ (non-sterile)
StarLabs R1128-0810 200 Clear Filter Non-sterile 200µl Filter Tip for Tecan®️ + Packard®️ (non-sterile) (non-sterile)
StarLabs R1181-0700 200 Clear No Filter Non-sterile 200µl Tip for Tecan®️ & Packard®️ (non-sterile)
StarLabs R1128-2810 1000 Clear Filter Non-sterile 1000µl Filter Tip for Tecan®️ + Packard®️ (non-sterile)
StarLabs R1181-2700 1000 Clear No Filter Non-sterile 1000µl Tip for Tecan®️ & Packard®️(non-s

 

Pipette Tips

Use the smallest tip size possible for your application. The less dead air space above the liquid you have, the better. For example, 10 μL is more accurately transferred using a 10 μL tip than a 20 μL tip.

Wide bore tips have a greater diameter at the tip exit, this reduces fluid velocity. This is an effective solution for the transfer of highly viscous fluids like glycerol. A lower fluid velocity will also be more suitable for cell culture or other such ‘delicate’ fluids. For example, transferring samples containing large cells to reduce the chance of shearing. However, the wide bore could result in more dripping if the fluid isn't viscous enough to adhere to the tip sides. A large air gap may be necessary to prevent dripping.

A conical tip reduces the surface tension of the liquid, meaning that the liquid is less likely to adhere to the tip. Low volume pipetting is more accurate with a conical tip. A hydrophobic tip also reduces the liquid adherence within the tip, meaning less volume is lost within the tip. This is useful for low volume pipetting or for a highly adherent liquid (e.g. glycerol).

Figure 1: Approximate cross-section of a non-canonical (normal) tip and a canonical tip. The canonical tip has an additional point before the bore which reduces the liquid surface tension.

Tip types

Option Description Recommendation
Filter

Help prevent cross-contamination between samples. 

Commonly used for molecular biology workflows. 

For some tips on the market buying the filtered version reduces the available volume. 

 The user should continue using the type of tip they use for the manual workflows they want to automate on SQWERTY.
Sterile Recommended for molecular or microbiology workflows where contamination could affect the entire workflow.
DNA/RNAse free DNA/RNAse free tips have undergone an extra level of cleanliness in the manufacturing process to ensure that they do not have any enzymes present that could affect DNA or RNA samples.

 

Pipette module accuracy

Note: The systematic and random error values can be achieved only under strictly controlled conditions during test as per ISO 23783 Annex D. The best compatibility is achieved when combining SQWERTY pipette modules with supported tips. The systematic error and random error verification results, in tests, have been achieved using configurations available in the latest  and SQWERTY firmware release. Due to continuous product development the systemic and random error values are subject to change without notice.

‍

Pipette Module
Target Volume (μL)
Systematic Error (%)
Random Error (%)
Single Channel 50μL
1*
5
5
10
1.5
0.8
50
1
0.4
Single Channel 250μL
5
3
2.5
50
1.4
0.6
200
1.5
0.4
Single Channel 1000μL
100
1.0
0.3
200
0.8
0.3
1000
0.8
0.3
* dispensed into liquid.

 

Plates

Just like with pipette tips, there are different designs of plates for different functions.

  • A flat bottomed plate is the most commonly used and recommended for plate readers. The volume needs to be high enough to cover the entire surface of the well, so not suitable for low volume pipetting.
  • For effective mixing, U-shaped designs improve the consistency of the mix between wells.
  • The V-shaped design is best for low volume pipetting as it funnels the volume towards the base.
    • This is often the go-to design for high throughput PCR preparation.

Figure 2: A cross - section of the different types of well that are commonly available in SBS fomat multi well plates.

 

If you require more information please contact technicalsupport@singerinstruments.com for assistance.

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