Integrated system

From LabAutopedia

A LabAutopedia Definition

A laboratory automation system consisting of multiple discrete devices or workstations, connected by one or more general-purpose automated transport devices. Such systems are capable of performing many LUO's. They are custom configured for a specific application and are often reconfigurable or expandable, but most likely not in a totally plug-and-play manner. Thus reconfiguration requires specific system knowledge and expertise. Integrated systems are controlled by an overall system controller (i.e. a PC), and the incorporated workstations may be also be controlled by the same system controller or by their own dedicated system controller. Integrated systems may require scheduling software to manage the workflow of samples among devices or workstations by the transport system(s). General purpose transport devices for integrated systems may take several forms, such as robots, linear transport devices (conveyors), positioning stages, fluidic streams and combinations thereof. Integrated systems may range from laboratory-bench scale to room size, but the fundamental architecture remains the same. Large systems may combine one or more transport devices and may have multiple branches of transport paths.