Laboratory automatic storage and retrieval

Abstract

Laboratory sample storage and retrieval is a time-consuming necessity/problem for many clinical and pharmaceutical laboratories, especially when samples must be stored at −20 or −70°C. In many cases, the volume of samples to be stored and the records to be kept become difficult and frequently impossible. The installation of an automatic storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) utilizing bar code technology to maintain the sample database is a practical solution for many laboratories. Upfront planning and clear definition of objectives and constraints is primary for the conceptual and final design of the system. One major pharmaceutical research facility utilized this approach to successfully install their AS/RS. The system consisted of five basic components: Environmental chamber to maintain a good robot work area. Freezer cabinets consisting of pull out drawers. Track-mounted robot. Input and output conveyors. Interface PC system for communication between the robot controller and the host–server database. Scientists normally input their requirements in the afternoon theday before the samples are required, allowing the AS/RS to build and store racks for delivery the next morning. The host–server database receives the request, and tasks are broken down into actions and fed to the robot controller for execution. As each action is completed, it is reported back to the interface PC, and status registers are continuously updated. The AS/RS is tireless, precise, and a work producer that can eliminate one of the problems for laboratories. Sample locations are known, samples are always available upon demand, and accurate record keeping provides laboratory storage quality assurance. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Lab Robotics and Automation 9: 129–134, 1997.