Flex

The flexible all-rounder for your laboratory automation

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Optimize your laboratory and production processes

and reduce the burden on laboratory staff. The X-TubeProcessor®_Flex enables the integration of various modules for fully automated tube and liquid handling of screw tubes and vials. The Flex becomes a reliable partner and part of your laboratory. It can be connected to your LIMS and ERP and informs you about the current status.

Capping and decapping screw tubes
The X-TubeProcessor®_Flex automates the opening and closing of tubes. We offer solutions for various tube and screw cap sizes and types. Fully automatic feeding of tubes and screw caps via a tube or cap feeder is possible. The cap feeder can be optionally equipped with a color sensor. This checks the color of the caps and sorts out the wrong caps.

Feeding, sorting & storing
To save you the time-consuming task of pre-placing the tubes into racks, the tubes can be supplied in bulk. The so-called tube feeder can separate both screwed and open tubes and feed them to the machine. Alternatively, the tubes can be placed in racks. The number of racks can be selected individually. Final storage of the tubes is alternatively in bulk or in your preferred racks. With both the Tube Feeder and Rack Storage, you can maximize walk away times for your employees.

Dosing, pipetting and dispensing liquids
The tubes can be filled individually and sequentially with reagents. Depending on the requirements, peristaltic or/and syringe pumps are available. Syringe pumps are preferably used for pipetting/dispensing smaller volumes with high accuracy. The change of pipette tips is selectable. Peristaltic pumps are available for dispensing larger fill volumes. Optionally, the reagent output vessels can be cooled. Furthermore, various IPCs are available.

Labeling tubes
Expand the X-TubeProcessor®_Flex with a labeling module for the precise application of your labels. The label layout is designed using user-friendly software. The individual data can be supplied via the user interface on the device or via a database connection.

Barcode identification
Reliable traceability throughout the workflow is always possible with our devices. Barcodes can be read on racks and tubes and processed according to the stored requirements.

Sterile applications
We also offer tube-handling solutions for sterile applications. For this purpose, the devices are equipped with special hoods, Hepa filters and laminar flow.

User interface:
The user-friendly and intuitive software runs on an external laptop or PC. Various criteria can be defined for editing the tubes and individual modules can be selected or deselected.

To start the machine, you can select the created jobs in an overview or alternatively enter them directly on the operator interface. A menu guides you through the input steps. Jobs can optionally be transmitted to the control software via an interface (SOAP- TCP/IP protocol).

Messages, malfunctions or news can be sent to them, for example, as an email. This way you will be quickly and safely notified about the events of the machining, even if you are not at the plant at the moment.

Sort & Store

Identification

Label & Mark

Dispensing

Sterile applications

Tube & Cap Handling

“We are committed to excellence in everything we do. Our goal is to be best in class and deliver superior products. Finding a partner like HTI who shares this vision is crucial.

When excellence meets excellence, great things happen. We trust that our long-term discussions and collaboration will lead to something extraordinary.”

Torun Ekblad, PhD
Chief Operating Officer at Mabtech

Frequently Asked Questions about the X-TubeProcessor®_Flex

What applications is the Flex suitable for?

The X-TubeProcessor®_Flex is a modular laboratory automation platform for the fully automated processing of screw-cap tubes. The system combines tube handling, liquid handling, labeling and quality control in a flexible solution that can be individually configured to meet your specific requirements.

The Flex is particularly suitable for:

  • Diagnostic kit production
  • Reagent filling
  • Biobanking
  • Pharmaceutical and biotechnology production
  • Compound management

and many other applications

The Flex has been developed for highly flexible and demanding automation requirements.
The system supports parallel processing and can be individually expanded with a wide range of modules.

Supported processes include:

• Capping & Decapping
• Dispensing & Filling
• Pipetting
• Automated tube labeling
• Barcode identification
• Sorting and storage
• In-process control
• Sterile applications

This makes the Flex the ideal solution for complex and customizable laboratory and production workflows.

The Flex can be equipped with different dispensing technologies, including:

  • Peristaltic pumps
  • Air Displacement Pipettes (ADP)

The appropriate technology depends on the liquid, dispensing volume and required accuracy.

Yes. The Flex supports the automated feeding of tubes and screw caps in bulk.
The integrated Tube Feeder automatically separates and feeds both open and pre-capped tubes.
Alternatively, tubes can also be processed directly from SBS racks.

Dispensing accuracy depends on the liquid or buffer being processed, as well as factors such as temperature, viscosity, dispensing volume and the selected dispensing technology.

Typische Genauigkeitswerte für Wasser liegen bei einer Peristaltikpumpe (PP) bei etwa 2–3 %. Eine Air Displacement Pipette (ADP) erreicht je nach verwendeten Pipettenspitzen eine Genauigkeit von ungefähr 0,8–2 %.

In general:
ADP: High accuracy for small and medium dispensing volumes
PP: Reliable dispensing of larger volumes

The Flex processes up to 450 – 600 tubes per hour.

Actual throughput depends on factors such as:

  • Workflow
  • Installed modules
  • Filling volume

Typical process performance includes:
Capping & Labeling: up to 450 tubes/hour
Capping & Filling: up to 600 tubes/hour
Capping, Filling & Labeling: approximately 450–500 tubes/hour

The standard system provides 8 target rack positions for SBS racks, 1 QC rack in SBS format, and 1 NOK rack with 8 positions for rejected tubes.
Alternatively, the QC rack can also be configured as an additional target rack.
Custom rack configurations are available on request.

Yes. The Flex supports automated storage of finished tubes. Depending on the application, tubes can be stored either in bulk or in customized rack systems. This enables standardized and efficient downstream processing.

An optional cooled bulk storage solution is also available.

Yes. The Flex supports sterile applications and controlled working environments.
Depending on the application, the system can be equipped with HEPA filtration, making it suitable for sensitive and sterile processes.

To minimize contamination risks, the Flex supports:

  • controlled and standardized processes
  • Closed process sequences
  • Sterile working environments
  • HEPA filter
  • Defined in-process controls
  • reproducible dispensing processes

These features reduce manual intervention and help minimize potential sources of error and contamination.

Yes. Various cooling solutions are available for reagent storage.

For larger source vessels used with the peristaltic pump, both active and passive cooling with a chiller are available.

For the Air Displacement Pipette (ADP), passive Peltier cooling as well as chiller-based cooling are available.

Yes. The Flex automatically labels and prints tubes.

Supported label content includes:

  • Barcodes
  • Data Matrix codes (2D codes)
  • Plain text
  • Batch numbers
  • Expiration dates
  • Variable data from ERP or LIMS systems

Yes. Optionally, the system can read both a body label and a bottom label, allowing each sample to be uniquely identified from different positions throughout the workflow.

The Flex supports standardized cleaning and flushing procedures for different dispensing and pump systems.

In addition, the following processes can be individually configured

  • Pipette tip exchange
  • pump cleaning
  • Cleaning routines

to meet specific application requirements.

Yes. The Flex supports GMP-oriented production processes through reproducible workflows, user management, audit trail functionality and electronic documentation.

The Flex is operated via the X-Control software platform, which provides centralized control of all installed system modules, including functions such as the Liquid Manager and Pump Manager.

Optional software modules (Job Manager, Job Manager Remote, Audit Trail Remote) are available for specific requirements.

Integration modules are also available for seamless connectivity with ERP and LIMS systems.

Running on an external laptop or PC, X-Control supports:

  • Workflow control
  • Job management
  • Module control
  • Process definition
  • Automated job processing
  • Status notifications and alerts
  • System messages and alarms can also be transmitted via e-mail.

Lead times depend on the selected system configuration, degree of automation, required modules and any customer-specific adaptations.
Please contact us to discuss your individual requirements and receive detailed information about delivery times.

The dimensions of the Flex depend on the selected system configuration.

Typical dimensions are:
Height: approx. 195 cm (without HEPA filter)
Depth: approx. 100 cm
Width: approx. 120–200 cm

This modular design allows the system to be adapted to different laboratory and production environments.

The Flex offers numerous advantages, including:

  • Higher productivity
  • Reduced manual labor
  • Fewer process errors
  • Lower contamination risk
  • High process reliability
  • Scalable automation
  • Modular system design
  • Reproducible results
  • Seamless integration into existing laboratory and production environments

The X-TubeProcessor®_Smart 2.0 is a compact solution for standardized laboratory and production workflows with medium throughput.
The X-TubeProcessor®_Flex, on the other hand, is a freely configurable modular platform that offers extended automation capabilities, higher throughput and the flexibility to implement complex, customer-specific production lines.

Facts and figures

Key features
Serial and parallel processing
STERILE applications possible
Capping / Opening
Pipetting and dispensing
Peristaltic / syringe pumps
Labeling
Barcode identification
Cap feeding
Tube feeding
Rack feeding
Torque control
In-process control
Requires compressed air

600

Up to 600 tubes / h

50

Up to 20 racks

Dimensions

Height: approx. 195 cm (without HEPA filter)
Depth: approx. 100 cm
Width: from 120 cm to 200 cm (depending on the configuration)

More information

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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

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