TiltStation
Aluminium Tilt angle of 8° Defined sloping position Zero position 2 reliable fixed tilt positions Programmable
Key Benefits
QINSTRUMENTS presents the TiltStation, a unique and essential lab automation device for liquid handlers to automate cell culture applications. It allows you to create your cell maintenance workstation. Enable walk-away automation and eliminate tedious tasks, free up from error-prone manual work and reclaim your most valuable asset: TIME.
The TiltStation module is only slightly larger than a standard microplate.
All parts are inside the unit; no external components are necessary.
Small. Light. Efficient. Quiet.
- Defined sloping position and see-saw motion
- Tilt angle of 8°
- Zero position for reliable plate transfer
- 2 reliable fixed tilt positions for media exchange
- ELM mechanism for secure plate positioning
- Continuous tilt motion with adjustable speed
- Programmable time and loop counter
- Easy integration due to identical footprint as known BioShake®
- Easy installation & simple start-up
- Maintenance-free for many years
- 2 years full warranty
TiltStation from QINSTRUMENTS set the new standard for cellular applications
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
Save time.
Combining the tilt operation with the incubation phase reduces reaction process times and operator workload, and the efficiency of many procedures increases, resulting in higher throughput.
The first-class finished aluminium housing gives TiltStation its essential functionality. It provides high security and device stability and ensures a long service life.
BENEFITS FROM OUR SOLUTIONS
You can automate the following applications:
- Pre-coating of cell culture plates with e.g. collagen
- Media exchange, feeding of cells
- Supply cells with nutrients, oxygen and remove waste products
- Prevent accumulating and allow an evenly distribution of cells in the culture
- Passaging, Trypsin based application steps
- Harvesting and subculturing of cells
Are you tired of manual media exchange?
Using powerful DC motor technology
Do you find yourself staying late or working weekends in order to complete cell growth tasks? Are you frustrated by the variance in results due to changes in performance? If so, we have a solution for you!
TiltStation is the ideal device to set and maintain tilt movements accurately. The module is only slightly larger than a standard microplate. Fully adjustable between -8° and +8°C and well beyond most other brands' tilting accuracies, TiltStation guarantees excellent movement control for all microplates, and cell plates
All parts inside, only a PC is needed for control.
PATENTED EDGE LOCKING MECHANISM
Suitable for all microplates
Many robotic applications require precise dimensional spacing of pipet tips and robotic grippers relative to a microplate. The Edge Locking Mechanism (ELM) is the complete answer for repeatable and accurate positioning of microplates on an automated deck. It consists of 2x2 stainless steel pins and a 2-point electromechanical mechanism to lock down microplates in the module's centre safely.
This patented locking mechanism locks the microplates quickly and safely, even at the highest movement frequencies. Safely movement processes with frequent plate changes can be performed in the routine easily and safely.
For the gripping of microplates, the ELM opens the clamping automatically. This "universal" design is perfect for all types of plates in SBS format 127.7 x 85.5 mm: from low profile to deep-well; from 96- to 1536-well. And when "locked" into place, the microplate varies by as little as +/- 0.1 mm, making demanding manipulations a breeze.
ZERO POSITION
Locked & sensor-controlled zero-positioning
In time-adjustable stopping operations, a defined zero position is automatically extended and locked with an accuracy of 0.1 mm.
An integrated sensor monitors this zero position and its accuracy. This functionality ensures and simplifies the loading and removal processes and allows accurate pipetting.
UNIQUE DESIGN MEETS HIGH-END TECHNOLOGY
First-class finished aluminium housing
The unique, efficient design and the most compact housing result in beautiful, well-defined laboratory equipment. Therefore, the first-class finished aluminium housing gives TiltStation its essential functionality. It provides high security and device stability and ensures a long service life.
The safety of the user and ease of use are the priority.
COMFORT
Simple, intuitive integration in robots and programming
The TiltStation operates via RS232 or USB user interface. An automatic initialization will start after turn on.
A simple command set allows you to control hardware and sensors easily. The process parameters are constantly managed and read out. After turning it off, a self-setting zero position of the shaker plate makes the time-consuming electrical tracking unnecessary. This functionality ensures maximum operating security also in the unmonitored continuous operation.
QINSTRUMENTS provides approved SILA® drivers for all automation units.
MADE IN GERMANY
High-end instruments for daily routine
A perfectly harmonious blend of high-tech and handmade. "Made in Germany" has always been a recipe for success for QInstruments. 100% of QInstruments production takes place in Germany.
The focus is on human diligence and on being environmentally friendly. The company upholds its quality guarantee through consistent quality management. For more than 20 years, these lab automation professionals from Jena have used only high-quality materials to ensure sustainable production, applied innovative thinking and undertaken research in a future-oriented way – all as a matter of course.
Lab Automation | Product selection guide
For microplates use only | |
|---|---|
| Microplates | All microplates according SBS format 2, 4, 8, 48, 96 up to 384- well plates |
Supported microplate flange heights | 2.5 mm, 4.0 mm and 6.1 mm |
Tilt | |
| Description | TiltStation realizes a continuous see-saw (tilt) motion with adjustable speed, time or loop counter. Three defined and locked positions, offer a reliable plate transfer and media exchange. |
| Tilt frequency range | 2 to100 oscillation per minute with increment resolution of 1 oscil/min |
| Tilt angle | ± 8° |
| Max. loading weight | 500 g |
| Accel. / Decel. range | 1 - 30 seconds with increment resolution of 1 second |
| Positions | 3 locked positions: West | Home | East with accuracy of ± 0.2° |
Plate locking ELM | |
| Description | Patented Edge Locking Mechanism (elm) for repeatable and accurate positioning of microplates on a liquid handling or automation platform. With the elm, labware can either easily be exchanged manually/automatically or it is strongly fixed in a diagonal centered position. |
Position Accuracy | ± 0.1 mm |
Device control | |
| Description | Remote controlled | All electronics built in | No external controller required |
| Peripheral Interface | RS-232 interface (2 m cable with RS-232 plug-in connector) |
Status | LED in corner area GREEN = ok | RED = error |
Electrical | |
| Operating Voltages | 24 VDC input . Imax: 0.4 A . Pmax: 10 Watt |
| External power supply | Input: 100 - 240 V AC | 50 - 60 Hz Output: 24 V DC | Imax: 5.0 A | Pmax: 120 Watt External power supply unit (CE/UL/CSA approved, 85-264 V AC, 47-63 Hz, IEC/EN60320-1 C14 | Degree of protection: IP20) |
| Power cord | Only use the device with the delivered power cord. If another power cord is used ensure the wire diameter is adequate for the power supply. |
| 24 V DC connection | Prewired cable, length 2 m, barrel connector ID 2.5 x OD 5.5 mm |
| RS-232 interface | Prewired cable, length 2 m, with RS-232 plug-in connector |
Properties | |
| Housing Material | Aluminum anodized, black |
| Environment operating range | +15°C to 35°C 10-80 % max. relative humidity (non condensing) 0-2000 m above sea level |
| Degree of protection | IP20 Protected against solid objects up to 12 mm No protection against water |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 142 x 99 x 83.4 mm → 5.59 x 3.9 x 3.28 inch (top edge of ELM pins) |
| Weight | 1.35 kg (2.65 lbs) netto |
Technical data sheet
Test software
QCOM 3 is a small test software with a graphical user interface (GUI) to control lab automation instruments from QInstruments, eg. BioShake, ColdPlate, HeatPlate. The main purpose of QCOM 3 is to get easy access to the unit to execute initial testing.
QCOM 3 now supports the TiltStation
SILA 2 compliant driver
SiLA® is the global initiative to standardize software interfaces in the field of life science research instrumentation. Instigated by the pharmaceutical industry′s need for flexible laboratory automation, the initiative is supported by major device and software suppliers worldwide.
The SiLA® consortium for Standardization in Lab Automation develops and introduces new interface and data management standards allowing rapid integration of lab automation systems. SiLA is a not-for-profit membership corporation with a global footprint and is open to institutions, corporations and individuals active in the life science lab automation industry. Leading system manufacturers, software suppliers, system integrators and Pharma/Biotech corporations have joined the SiLA® consortium and contribute in different technical work groups with their highly skilled experts.
QInstruments provides approved SILA® driver 1 for all BioShake units.
For development of SILA compliant software we work in close cooperation with Equicon.
To obtain help for installing and running the driver, please contact us.
3D CAD models
Certificates / Declarations
Knowledge
Leveraging its foundation in innovative automated solutions, QINSTRUMENTS is a leader in precision mixing and temperature control for sample preparation. QINSTRUMENTS' application-specific solutions, small instruments and OEM modules are used in industries ranging from flow cytometry and forensic chemistry to next-generation sequencing.
QINSTRUMENTS offers extremely robust and quiet orbital shakers, thermoshakers, heating and cooling units for laboratory automation. The black colored premium line is designed for demanding automation processes and defines the global standard for reliable mixing.
No other external components are needed as the electronics are integrated into the smart modules. They are fully equipped for hands-free operation with a comprehensive remote command set for easy software integration.
