These robot abbreviations and jargon definitions are intended to help newbies quickly learn the esoteric lingo of laboratory automation. They are also intended to help veterans remember what abbreviations and jargon actually mean (we forget all the time). Where appropriate, we have included links to other resources related to the item as well.
| # | Description/Definition |
| 3D Printer | a machine that uses a 3D structural digital file to build a structure 1 layer at a time through a process called additive manufacturing. https://raverobot.com/3d-printer-list/ |
What is an ambr? What does ANSI stand for?
| A | Description/Definition |
| ambr | automated micro bioreactor |
| American National Standards Institute (ANSI) | No longer exists. Merged with Society of Biomolecular Screening (SBS) to form Society of Laboratory automation and Screening (SLAS) |
| automated micro bioreactor (ambr) | Robot that performs sterile cell culture and prokaryotic bioreactor conditions. |
| ANSI (Acronym) | American National Standards Institute |
What is DLP?
| D | Description/Definition |
| DLP | Digital Light Processing |
| Digital Light Processing (DLP) | 3D printer that uses a UV light emitting screen to harden a liquid resin. DLP 3D printers are rapidly growing in popularity because they can achieve high precision model at a fraction of the cost of an SLA printer. https://raverobot.com/review-12-weeks-with-the-anycubic-photon-3d-printer/ https://raverobot.com/how-to-build-a-cheap-uv-curing-chamber/ |
What is ELRIG?
| E | Description/Definition |
| ELRIG | European Laboratory Research and Innovation Group |
| European Laboratory Research and Innovation Group (ELRIG) | Mission: “… primary objective is to provide outstanding, leading edge knowledge to the life sciences community on an open access basis. ELRIG is a not-for-profit organisation, based in the UK. We are leaders in the provision of scientific meetings and conferences; bringing together academic and biopharma industry experts and thought leaders to exchange ideas and information.” |
What is FDM?
| F | Description/Definition |
| FDM | Fused Deposition Modeling |
| Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) | 3D printer that extrudes a heated plastic filament which hardens as it cools. FDM printers are the most prevalent on the market and are generally the least expensive 3D printer. https://raverobot.com/how-to-level-the-makerbot-replicator-3d-printer-flex-build-plate/ https://raverobot.com/top-5-tips-to-fix-makerbot-replicator-3d-print-warping/ https://raverobot.com/makerbot-replicator-3d-printer-review-is-easy-to-use-worth-the-price/ |
What is HTPAT? What is HTPD?
| H | Description/Definition |
| HTPAT | High Throughput Process Analytic Technologies |
| HTPD | High Throughput Process Development |
What does ICCAR stand for? What’s an ISWAP?
| I | Description/Definition |
| ICCAR | International Conference on Control, Automation and Robotics |
| ISWAP | Referring to the arm found on the Hamilton MicroLab STAR which can move SLAS plates from one part of the deck to another. |
What is a LiHa? What is a Liquid Handling Robot?
| L | Description/Definition |
| LiHa (Acronym: Leeha) | Liquid Handling Arm |
| Liquid Handling Arm (LiHa) | Originally referred to the Tecan Freedom EVO robot arm which has 8 liquid handling channels that can be used independently. Sometimes used generically to describe liquid handling arm of this type on any liquid handling robot. |
| Liquid Handling Robot | Machines that can be programmed to transfer liquids autonomously. They usually include arms that confer multiple types of liquid handling capability, sensors that can detect the presence or absence of liquid or consumables and may have a manipulator arm capable of moving consumables from one location to another. They are routinely used in biologics and chemistry labs. Liquid Handling Robot List How to Choose a Liquid Handler for Sterile Cell Culture Protein Purification Robot List |
What is an MCA?
| M | Description/Definition |
| MCA (initialism) | Multi-channel Arm |
| Multi-channel Arm (MCA) | Originally referred to a Tecan Freedom EVO robot arm which can have 96 or 384 liquid handling channels. The arm can be used to move the same volume with all channels from one location to another. Sometimes used generically to describe liquid handling arm of this type on any liquid handling robot. |
What is a RoMa?
| R | Description/Definition |
| Robot | Machine capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically. “…a robot is a physically embodied artificially intelligent agent that can take actions that have effects on the physical world,” Anca Dragon (UC Berkeley) “…a physical machine that’s usually programmable by a computer that can execute tasks autonomously or automatically by itself,” Kate Darling (MIT Media Lab) “a system that exhibits ‘complex’ behavior and includes sensing and actuation.” Hanumant Singh (Northeastern University) |
| Robot Manipulator Arm (RoMa) | Originally referred to the Tecan Freedom EVO robot arm which can move SLAS plates from one part of the deck to another. |
| RoMa (Acronym) | Robot Manipulator Arm |
What is SLA? What does SLAS stand for?
| S | Description/Definition |
| SBS | Society of Biomolecular Screening (No longer exists) |
| SiLa | Standardization in Lab Automation |
| SLA | Stereolithography -3D Printer technology |
| SLAS | Society of Laboratory Automation and Screening |
| Society of Biomolecular Screening (SBS) | No longer exists. Merged with American National National Standards Institute (ANSI) to form the Society of Laboratory automation and Screening (SLAS) |
| Society of Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) | Society formed by merging American National Standards Institute (ANSI) with Society of Biomolecular Screening (SBS) |
| Stereolithography (SLA) | 3D Printer that uses UV Laser to harden a liquid resin. Due to the precision that is achievable with this type of 3D printer and high cost of the laser, SLA printers tend to be the most expensive 3D printers. |
Did we miss any good robot abbreviations and jargon definitions in our list? Let us know and we will add them.
