Our products

Tube handler:
X-TubeProcessor® series

Your time is precious – learn more about the possibilities of automated tube & liquid handling.

X-TubeProcessor® Series

Your time is precious – learn more about the possibilities of automated tube & liquid handling.

Switch from ergonomically strenuous and monotonous manual work to fully automatic processing of your micro screw tubes.

Basic, Smart 2.0, Proceed, Flex or Sign –
Depending on the level of automation, we have the right device for you.

Function modules of the X-TubeProcessor® series

Available modules for the automation of tube processes

  • Bulk material feeding
  • Capping
  • Opening
  • Positioning
  • Color recognition (optional)
  • Torque control

Tube and cap handling

Our products automate the opening and closing of tubes. We offer solutions for various tube and screw cap sizes and types. The devices are scalable in automation level, throughput, size and complexity. Various tasks for processing tubes are automated.

  • Highest accuracy
  • Small to large volumes
  • Different viscosities
  • Sterile or contamination-free (optional)
  • Liquid Level Detection and InProcess Control
  • Recording or monitoring of the filling volumes

Dispensing

The tubes or/and vials are filled with reagents in parallel or sequentially. Typical dispensing volumes are in the range of 10 µl to > 2 ml per tube. If necessary, the reagents are stored refrigerated. Various solutions for process monitoring are offered and implemented, ranging from level detection to the determination of dispensing volumes by weighing.

  • Labeling & Marking
  • Tubes & Caps
  • Thermal transfer as standard
  • Laser / Inkjet (optional)
  • Labels for storage up to -196°C
  • Database connection (optional)
  • Serialization
  • Barcode and 2D matrix
  • Reliable and wrinkle free

Labeling & Marking

Our equipment labels tubes and screw caps of different sizes and with different labels. In addition, we offer the possibility of printing tubes and caps directly. Printing is done individually or in batches in the same way. The respective marking technology is based on the needs and customer requirements.

  • Presentation of the tubes in racks or as bulk material
  • Editing individual racks
  • Rack storage (optional)
  • Presentation of the screw caps as bulk material
  • Output of the tubes in racks or boxes

Sorting & Storage

HTI products enable small and high throughput. For high-throughput systems, among other things, the intermediate storage of tubes and racks in the equipment is also realized. If required, the Tubes and Caps are presented in bulk and dispensed in racks or in bulk.

  • Code processing of racks, tubes and caps
  • Capture 1D and 2D codes
  • Verification Human Readable Infos with OCR (coming soon)
  • Verification of the information with database matching

Identification

Reliable traceability in the work process is possible at all times with our products. Barcodes can be read on racks, tubes and caps and processed according to the stored requirements.

  • Separation of storage and process areas
  • Process areas with measures for sterile conditions
  • Systems are supplied with appropriate documentation

Sterile applications

We offer tube handling solutions also for sterile applications. For this purpose, the products are adapted with special hoods, Hepa filters and/or laminar flow systems.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tube Handling

What is automated tube handling?

Automated tube handling refers to the automated processing of tubes and sample containers in the laboratory.

This includes, among other things:

  • Tube labeling
  • Capping & decapping
  • Filling & dispensing
  • Sorting and handling of tubes
  • Sample management

The goal is to reduce manual and repetitive tube handling processes while making workflows more efficient, reproducible, and safe.

Manual tube handling takes time, ties up staff, and increases the risk of errors or contamination.
Especially when sample volumes are high, manual processes quickly reach their limits.

Automated tube handling systems help to:

  • increase capacity
  • reduce monotonous tasks
  • lower error rates
  • ensure traceability
  • relieve laboratory staff

Laboratories with growing sample throughput in particular benefit from standardized, automated, and scalable workflows.

Depending on the system, different tube handling and sample processes can be automated, including:

  • Tube labeling
  • Capping and decapping of tubes
  • Filling & dispensing
  • Sorting and preparing samples
  • Flexible tube processing workflows

HTI offers different systems with varying levels of automation:

  • Sign for flexible tube labeling and the labeling of different tubes and vessels
  • Basic for automated capping and tube labeling
  • Smart 2.0 for precise, compact, and scalable 3-in-1 tube processing
  • Fflex for flexible and scalable tube processing workflows with extensive automation options

The choice of the right system depends on several factors, including the desired level of automation, throughput, the tube formats used, and the requirements for filling, storage, and workflow integration.

While Sign and Basic are designed for more focused processes, Smart 2.0 and Flex support more complex and extensive workflows.

Different tube and vial types can be processed automatically with flexible tube handling systems. Modern laboratory automation supports different tube formats, sizes, and materials within standardized workflows.

In particular, Sign was developed for the flexible processing of different tube types.
Smart 2.0 also supports flexible tube processing workflows with different tube formats.

Automation often becomes worthwhile when:

  • many repetitive manual tasks are involved
  • errors or complaints occur
  • employees are burdened by monotonous work
  • capacity needs to be increased
  • traceability requirements are growing
  • processes need to be standardized

Cost-effectiveness depends on the workflow, throughput, and level of automation. In many projects, the return on investment is achieved after around 3 years – for example, with an average reduction of manual work by 3 hours per day for 2 employees.

Automated tube handling helps laboratories to:

  • increase productivity
  • increase walk-away time and scale laboratory processes more efficiently
  • reduce errors and complaints
  • standardize processes
  • meet traceability requirements
  • minimize contamination risks

In addition, existing staff can be relieved of repetitive tasks and deployed for more value-adding activities.

The systems support different tube and vial formats. Which tube and vial formats can be processed depends on the specific system, workflow, and laboratory requirements.

HTI systems can be integrated into existing processes.

This includes, among other things:

  • Workflow integration
  • ERP connection
  • LIMS connection
  • Data communication with existing laboratory processes

The possible throughput depends on the specific system, the tube formats used, and the workflow. Different levels of automation enable different processing speeds and daily capacities.

For standard systems such as Sign, Basic and Smart 2.0, delivery times are typically around 8 to 12 weeks.
Longer delivery times may apply for customer-specific adaptations.

The costs depend on several factors, including:

  • desired level of automation
  • workflow complexity
  • integration requirements
  • optional modules and adaptations

In addition to the hardware, aspects such as interfaces, validation requirements, and individual process requirements also play a role.
HTI supports customers in evaluating suitable automation solutions for their laboratory processes.

HTI supports customers with:

  • FAT (Factory Acceptance Test)
  • SAT (Site Acceptance Test)
  • IQ/OQ processes
  • regulated environments
  • traceability requirements

Topics such as GMP and CFR Part 11 also play an important role in many projects.

HTI offers a digital service concept with a digital twin, QR code system, remote support, and service via Teams, email, or phone.
Feedback is usually provided within 24 hours.

Interested laboratories can visit the demo lab in Ebersberg and experience different systems as well as typical workflows live.
HTI is happy to provide reference projects, application examples, and industry-specific experience in a personal exchange, depending on the respective project.

For meaningful automation, the following are helpful:

  • standardized processes
  • clear prioritization
  • simplified workflows
  • defined tube formats
  • stable process sequences

Especially for first automation projects, a structured workflow analysis is crucial in order to prioritize processes effectively and automate them step by step.

HTI offers a range of consumables and accessories:

  • labels for different applications
  • temperature- and solvent-resistant labels
  • abrasion-resistant labels
  • printing ribbons
  • racks for different tube sizes
  • consumables for peristaltic pumps (dispensing kits)

TubeProcessor Series

X-TubeProcessor®_

Proceed

Dispensing, labeling & documenting – fully automated throughout.

Connecting processes. Ensuring quality.

X-TubeProcessor®_

Sign

Tube Labeling Device

Label each desired tube or vessel.

Flexible labeling.

X-TubeProcessor®_

Basic

Automatisiertes Tube Verschrauben mit dem Basic von HTI

Capping & labeling – The simplest solution is called Basic

Compact and fast.

X-TubeProcessor®_

Smart 2.0

3-in-1 Tube Processing – precise, compact, scalable.

More flexibility. More process control.

X-TubeProcessor®_

Flex

Everything is possible – with our Flex-ible allrounder

Scalable for your growth.

Let our specialists advise you!

We would be happy to discuss your application and automation requirements with you:
Phone: +49 08092 2092-70 or email: sales@hti-automation.com

You are currently viewing a placeholder content from HubSpot. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.

Unblock content
More Information