Welcome to Rave Robot’s Automation Tube list. We have included images and vendor links for each system as well as Rave Robot articles and review links. If you want us to add another automation tube or want to contribute a review, please let us know.
What are automation tubes?
Automation tubes are tubes that are readily used with off the shelf automation equipment. They tend to have the 3 following things in common:
- Tubes contained in rack standards that fit into the xyz dimensions of deep-well multi-well plates as designated by SLAS.
- Caps that are readily removed or screwed on with automated capper/decappers.
- Individualized tracking as either 2D barcodes, 1D barcodes, RFID, or some combination of the 3
Which automation tube is right for my lab?
Automation tubes are rapidly replacing tubes and vials that are not automation friendly with a rapidly expanding number of automation tubes on the market. Selection of a standardized automation tube in a few sizes will make automation tasks easier, but selection should be based on sample needs and automation strategy.
Types of automation tubes
Automation tubes can differ greatly from each other. Due to this we have included the following in the table: # tubes/rack, internal threading vs external threading, and volume stored. These details do not come from Rave Robot’s direct experience unless we state so. As such, they are intended to help readers delineate models and not make a statement of equivalent value. When you find a mistake, please tell us and we will fix it. As is always the case, you need to understand your workflows to choose the multi-mode reader that is right for you.
A nearly comprehensive list of automation tubes
Below is the list of automation tubes we have used or found while searching for our own laboratory automation needs. We are sure that there are other systems we’ve missed especially since new systems are designed and released each year. Please comment if there are other automation tubes that should be added to the list. When you do, we will research and add them. If you have an experience with or want to review an automation tube, write it up. When you do, we will be happy to help you format and post your review.
Matrix Barcoded Storage Tube, Thermo Scientific
Description:
- 96 Tubes/Rack
- Internal Thread (mL): 0.2, 0.50, 1,00
- 24 Tubes/Rack
- Internal Thread (mL): 12.00
Vendor:
Micronic
Description:
- 96 Tubes/Rack
- Internal Thread (mL): 0.5, 0.75, 1.10, 1.40, 2.00, 2.50
- External Thread (mL): 0.30, 0.40, 0.75, 1.40, 2.00
- 48 Tubes/Rack
- Internal Thread (mL): 4.00
- External Thread (mL): 1.00, 2.00, 3.00, 4.00
- 24 Tubes/Rack
- Int. Thread: 6.00,
- Ext. Thread: 1.50, 3.00, 3.50, 6.00
Vendor:
SAFE® 2D Tubes, LVL Technologies
Description:
- 96 Tubes/Rack
- Internal Thread (uL): 500, 1000
- External Thread (uL): 200, 300, 500, 1000
- 48 Tubes/Rack
- External Thread (uL): 2000, 4000
- 24 Tubes/Rack
- External Thread (uL): 2000, 4000, 6000, 8000
Vendor:
Tell us about other Automation Tubes
Did we miss any good automation tubes? Let us know!
If you have experience with one of the above automation tubes, please leave a comment. When people want to write review or update lists, we are quick to contact them.
If you are interested in any of our other lists, check out Rave Robot’s List page.
