The TPS-384 offers 384 channel high performance pipetting that is ideal for low-volume multichannel microplate pipetting and for serial dilution applications. The new 2-series uses a more efficient servo motor design for better speed, precision, and reliability. The microprocessor-controlled pipetting mechanism provides accurate and precise pipetting of microliter or sub-microliter volumes of samples into 96, 384 or 1536-well microplates. The high-speed pipetting system provides short processing times by delivering liquids through up to 384 channels simultaneously with precise volume control.

Click for larger picture

Features Options Applications Automation Specifications Accessories and Heads

The Total Pipetting Solution (TPS) represents a new generation of affordable liquid handling systems with the versatility and reliability required for today’s demanding laboratory environment. With the innovative Externally Sealed Pipette (ESP) tips, the TPS pipetting system surpasses its competition in terms of applications diversity and reliability. This powerful pipettor has a compact size that easily fits on laboratory benches and also can be placed in suitable laboratory hoods.

The TPS-384 uses Apricot Designs’ unique head design which employs high-precision manufacturing to produce reasonably priced heads that are independent of the pipetting mechanism. The TPS-384 electronically loads and unloads pipetting heads in a few seconds, allowing simple and easy set-up for the task at hand. The TPS-384 will automatically index the pipetting head if necessary for accessing 1536-well plates.

Features

• 384 pipetting channels for fastest operations of 384 liquid addition or 384-to-384 plate replication.
• Flexible design for liquid transfers and pipetting operations for 96, 384 and 1536-well microplates and can also be used for serial dilutions by row or column.
• Uses the unique easy-change head system from Apricot Designs, allowing the user to build a diverse head library with a reasonable investment. The heads are interchangeable with other Apricot pipettors.
• Select from 12 to 15 deck positions that can be used for plates, reservoirs, or tips for optimal walkway
  automation.
• Automatic disposable tip loading and unloading for Apricot ESP tips and Biomek® FX compatible disposable tips. The disposable tip loading location is accessible by robotics for expanded capacity.
• Intuitive graphical user interface via serial interface control.
• Small footprint conserves bench space and fits easily into suitably-sized hoods.

Options

• Fixed tip heads with 8, 12, 16, 24, 96, or 384 channels.
• Disposable tip heads with 8, 12, 16, 24, 96, or 384 channels for Apricot ESP tips, Apricot 550 tips or Biomek® FX tips.
• Tip washing system with recirculating pump.
• Optional built-on ducted or recirculating hood enclosure.

Applications

• Plate replication
• Plate reformatting
• Reagent addition
• Compound addition
• Serial dilution (by row or column)
  

Automation

The open deck design makes it easy to use robotics to supply labware and disposable tips to the TPS-96. It
can be integrated as part of an automation workcell by combining it with laboratory automation software
and robotics from Biosero, Inc.

Specifications

Accessories

To select a head for the TPS-384, use this interactive Head Selection Guide:

TPS-384 Series Interactive Head Selection Guide

Fixed Tip Heads. All fixed tip heads feature stainless steel tips with PTFE coating on inside and outside and have an internal diameter of 0.032 inch. Custom heads for unique or new applications are also available.

Part Number	Picture (click to enlarge)	Number of channels	Maximum volume per tip (ul)	Plate compatibility	Serial Dilution
125-A-01-023		384	125	384, 1536*	None
125-A-02-023-25U		384	25	384, 1536*	None
125-A-01-023-SC-M		16	125	384, 1536*	Columns only
125-A-01-023-SR		24	125	384, 1536*	Rows only
125-A-03-023		96 (offset)	125	96,384*	None
125-A-04-023-25U		96 (offset)	25	96,384*	None
125-A-03-023-SC-M		8 (offset)	125	96,384*	Columns only
125-A-03-023-SR		12 (offset)	125	96,384*	Rows only

* The TPS-384 will automatically index as to position the tips for these plates.

Disposable Tip Heads. Custom heads for unique or new applications are also available.

Part Number	Picture (click to enlarge)	Compatible Tips	Number of channels	Maximum volume per tip (ul)	Plate compatibility	Serial Dilution
TPS384-A-01-ESP		ESP 15, 50 & 125 ul	384	125	384, 1536*	None
TPS384-A-01-ESP-SC		ESP 15, 50 & 125 ul	16	125	384, 1536*	Columns only
TPS384-A-01-ESP-SR		ESP 15, 50 & 125 ul	24	125	384, 1536*	Rows only
TPS384-A-01-096ESP		ESP 15, 50 & 125 ul	96 (offset)	125	96, 384*	None
TPS384-A-01-096ESP-SC		ESP 15, 50 & 125 ul	8 (offset)	125	96, 384*	Columns only
TPS384-A-01-096ESP-SR		ESP 15, 50 & 125 ul	12 (offset)	125	96, 384*	Rows only

* The TPS-384 will automatically index as to position the tips for these plates.

Accessories. Custom accessories for unique or new applications are also available, please enquire.

096-A-24		Precision Plate Nest, Delrin and Solid. This nest provides a solid base for labware such as reagent reservoirs (3 are provided with the the 3x4 TPS-384 and 4 are provided with the 3x5 TPS-384).
096-A-35		Precision Plate Nest, Delrin and Spring-Loaded. This nest is used for microplates and allows a slight downward movement if the pipettor tips touch the well bottom, allowing for maximum retrieval of the liquid (8 are provided with the the 3x4 TPS-3848 and 10 are provided with the 3x5 TPS-384).
096-A-26-1X, -2X, -5X		Precision Stackable Spacers in varying heights. These spacers are used to position all labware at equal Z height for the most efficient operation of the system.
TPS-TN-M-AD1		SBS Standard Tip Box Nest - For manual tip box placement and removal. For use with Apricot ESP Tips.
TPS-096-TBLM-ESP		Motorized Tip Box Nest for Apricot ESP tips, integrated with TPS GUI. Required for robotic tip box placement and removal.
T384-A-14		On Deck Tip Washing System, Computer Controlled, Integrated with Apricot pipettor GUI. Includes: - 1 ea. 2-way Peri Pump - 1 ea. Circulating, 96 individual Channel Wash Bath - 1 Pack general purpose Tygon Tubing (50Ft) - 2 ea. 12" Pump Head valve tubing, size 17 and 18 - 4 ea. Tubing Adaptors
		Motorized Plate Shaker Option, interfaced with GUI allowing control of the shaking direction and speed. Multiple shakers can be placed on the TPS deck.
		Filtration Station Option, interfaced with GUI. Includes a vacuum manifold and an automatic 2-position lid that allows the pipettor to access the collection plate after a filtration process has been applied.
		Bar Code Scanner Option, interfaced with GUI. Microscan MS3 small-size high-efficiency bar code scanner mounted directly to pipettor head. The scanner can read barcodes on the edges of microplates on the deck using small angled mirrors on the plate nest. The bar code data can be recorded, saved and exported.
		Plate Sensor Option, interfaced with GUI. Used to confirm if plates are present in the expected position on the deck. The system will scan the deck before starting a method to check if the operator has configured the deck correctly.
		Refillable Reservoir Option. The tubing is connected to a large bottle and the valve can be manually turned to refill the reservoir at any time, simplifying the supply of routine solution or reagent.