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Opentrons Flex™ liquid handling robot – flexible lab automation

Opentrons Flex is an advanced liquid handling platform tailored for high-throughput tasks and complex procedures. The modular system includes pipettes, a labware gripper, on-deck modules, and labware, allowing for easy automation of your own workflow.  

Equipped with a user-friendly touchscreen interface, Flex enables direct interaction at the lab bench or remote control via the Opentrons App, leveraging our open-source APIs. 

The Opentrons Flex robot opens up a new dimension in lab automation, offering unparalleled flexibility, versatility, and liberation. 

Key features and benefits of the Flex:

  • Extend your walkaway time with the Flex Gripper. It effortlessly transports plates and tip racks across the deck or between modules, optimizing throughput efficiency. 
  • Perform reliable liquid transfers. The accurate pipettes cover a wide range of volumes (1 to 1000 µL). The pipettes are easily swappable and automatically calibrated. 
  • Simplify protocol setup with the touchscreen. You can conveniently select and execute protocols directly from the lab bench. In addition, the touchscreen provides step-by-step guidance for deck setup and automated calibration processes. 
  • Choose modules that fit your workflow. Easily swap out modules yourself, selecting from options such as the on-deck Thermocycler, Heater-Shaker, Temperature module, and Magnetic Block. 
  • Keep using your own labware. Use any automation-compatible ANSI/SLAS-compliant labware and automation-friendly consumables.

 

Workstations

Workstations are predesigned configurations for a specific application. Workstations come with the Flex robot and accessories pipettes, gripper, on-deck modules, and the labware you need to automate your chosen application.* 

The following workstations are currently available: 

  • NGS workstation for end-to-end library preparation 
  • PCR workstation for PCR setup and thermocycling 
  • Nucleic acid extraction workstation 
  • Magnetic bead protein purification workstation 
  • Sample aliquoting workstation 
  • Plasmid preparation workstation 
  • Synbio workstation for synthetic biology workflows 

* not all workstations come with a gripper or modules

 

All workstations can be customized by adding or removing available hardware modules to suit your workflow. For more options and additional information, please get in touch with your local sales representative. 

Available on-deck hardware modules: 

  • Temperature Module (GEN2) 
  • Magnetic Module (GEN2) 
  • Heater-Shaker Module 
  • Thermocycler Module 
  • Gripper 
  • Pipettes 

Software and protocols

The Opentrons app controls the robot and offers flexible options for creating individual protocols. The protocol software is adaptable to various workflows and does not require coding knowledge. Beginners can either create a protocol directly in the software or load established protocols from the library, while experienced programmers can use the open-source software Python API.

Opentrons Flex Teaser

Opentrons Flex versus the Opentrons OT-2 liquid handler

Are you in doubt about which robot will suit your needs best?  

Opentrons Flex: 

  • Ideal for higher throughput and more complex workflows  
  • Maximizes walk-away time 
  • 1-, 8-, and 96-channel pipetting 
  • Integrated gripper – can move labware to and from slots on the deck 
  • Deck expander – gives you 4 additional deck slots for tips and labware 

OT-2 

  • Ideal for sample reformatting, reagent preparation and routine workflows 
  • Fits in a biological safety cabinet 
  • Run sensitive contamination-prone applications by using the HEPA Filter module 

Technical data

Dimensions (WxDxH) 87 × 69 × 84 cm
Weight 88.5 kg
Pipette overview Smart sensors support automatic calibration, real-time positioning, and error detection
Pipette volumes and specs Flex 1-Channel Pipettes: 1–50 µL, 5–1000 µL
Flex 8-Channel Pipettes: 1–50 µL, 5–1000 µL
Flex 96-Channel Pipette: 5–1000 µL
Gripper specs Opentrons Flex Gripper can manipulate well plates, reservoirs, and tip racks
Deck • 12 main ANSI/SLAS-format deck slots (working area, accessible to pipettes and gripper)
• 4 additional slots for staging tips and labware (staging area, accessible to gripper only)
• Deck can be reconfigured by removing deck slots and replacing them with other deck fixtures, including movable trash and module caddies
On-device touch screen 7-inch LCD touch screen featuring scratch- and damage-resistant Gorilla® Glass 3
Connectivity 802.11 ac/a/b/g/n Dual-Band (2.4/5 GHz), USB 2.0, ethernet
Video Integrated video camera (included for future or custom functionality)
Power requirements Power Adapter Input: 100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 4.0 A/115 VAC, 2.0 A/230 VAC
Frame composition

• Rigid steel and CNC aluminum design

• Frame has openings for polycarbonate side windows and front door. These can be easily removed for integration of external devices, such as robotic arms

• Temperature: Recommended 20–25 °C

Operating temperature & relative humidity • Temperature: Recommended 20–25 °C
• Humidity: Recommended 40–60% RH
1-channel accuracy & precision Flex 1-Channel Pipette (1–50 µL): 0,08 µl - 0,625 µl (%CV: 0,5% - 5%)
Sterility Flex 1-Channel Pipette (5–1000 µL): 0,25 µl - 5 µl (%CV: 0,15% - 2,5%)"
API compatibility Full polycarbonate enclosure designed to limit exposure. The Opentrons Flex is not a sterile environment. But an optional HEPA/UV accessory is in development. Opentrons software is open-source; integration of other software to interface is possible by the customer
Interface Windows 10 or later, macOS 10.10 or later, Ubuntu 12.04 or later.
Tip compatibility

Use Opentrons Flex Tips and Opentrons Flex Filter Tips

Third party tip performance cannot be guaranteed by Opentrons.

Labware compatibility Use Opentrons Flex Tips and Opentrons Flex Filter Tips Third party tip performance cannot be guaranteed by Opentrons. Use common labware already in our Labware Library, or add your own. 
GarantieWarranty One year warranty against manufacturer defects
Certifications Certifications complete: CE, UL, FCC, ISO 9001

 

Technical Service


During our business hours, our free telephone support will be glad to assist you in case of any questions. Our Technicians take care of the delivery and installation of original spare parts of the highest quality as well as certified testing, measuring, and control equipment. Our maintenance according to manufacturer specifications includes functional tests, cleaning, accuracy testing with calibration as well as a detailed report. In addition, our maintenance contracts protect your investments and reduce the total cost of ownership.

Detailed information about our support options can be found here.

Opentrons

Opentrons believes that scientists should be able to focus on their science to accelerate discovery and innovation, and that access to automation is a key tool in achieving this goal. Their mission is to democratize access to laboratory robotics, providing the scientific community with a common platform to easily share protocols and reproduce each other’s results. There are currently ten times the number of scientists to lab robots in the world. Opentrons envisions a future in which that ratio will be flipped, and there will be ten times the number of lab robots to scientists. Headquartered in New York, Opentrons operate globally.


More about Opentrons Labworks https://opentrons.com

125 employees
10 locations in europe
32 years of experience
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