Opentrons Flex - Next Gen Liquid Handling

Opentrons Flex is unlike any other lab automation solution on the market today. It is adaptable, versatile, and liberating.

Video Credit: Opentrons

Flex Fits User Needs

More Freedom for Lab Automation

• Uniquely flexible

                       Modular pipettes, grippers, and on-deck hardware that users can swap out themselves

• Uniquely accessible

                       Configurations begin at $26,400, with the Flex NGS Workstation starting at $55,100.

• Uniquely open

                         Fully open source software and firmware, and reagent- and labware- agnostic.

• Uniquely future-facing

                          Broad API that works with “design-of-experiment” applications, including agents powered by artificial intelligence.

Powerful Automation for Any Application

Image Credit: Opentrons

NGS Library Prep​​​​​​

Users can improve productivity, minimize errors, and save hands-on time by automating NGS library prep at a scale that suits them using the Flex NGS Workstation. Use any industry-leading reagent system to automate all pre-sequencing processes, including library prep based on fragmentation and tagmentation.

PCR

The Flex PCR Workstation allows users to fully automate the thermocycling and PCR setup processes for up to 96 samples. Fill a 96-well PCR plate with chilled reagents and samples, insert the plate into the Flex deck’s on-deck thermocycler using the Flex Gripper, and then start the selected PCR program.

Protein Purification

Users can automate proteomics sample prep and small-scale protein purification for up to 96 samples using the Flex Magnetic Bead Protein Purification Workstation. This workstation is designed to work seamlessly with numerous widely used magnetic bead-based reagents.

Nucleic Acid Extraction

Users can automate the isolation and purification of DNA/RNA with the Flex Nucleic Acid Extraction Workstation. The Flex Magnetic Block for magnetic bead separation and the Opentrons Heater-Shaker for sample lysis and magnetic bead resuspension are included with this workstation.

Sample Prep

Users can automate simple pipetting tasks like reagent aliquoting and sample transfers using the Flex Prep Workstation.

High Accuracy in a Benchtop Format

Tech Specs

Source: Opentrons 

Dimensions	87 × 69 × 84 cm / 34.25 × 27 × 33 in (W, D, H) Takes up half of your standard lab bench
Weight	88.5 kg / 195 lb
Pipette overview	Flex pipettes use air displacement technology to offer highly accurate pipetting from 1 to 1000 μL Smart sensors support automatic calibration, real-time positioning, and error detection 1-, 8-, and 96-channel pipetting The gantry supports any two Flex 1-Channel or 8-Channel Pipettes, or the Flex 96-Channel Pipette alone Pipettes are easy to swap out yourself
Pipette volumes and specs	Flex 1-Channel Pipettes: 1–50 µL, 5–1000 µL Flex 8-Channel Pipettes: 1–50 µL, 5–1000 µL Flex 96-Channel Pipette: 5–1000 µL
Gripper specs	Opentrons Flex Gripper can manipulate well plates, reservoirs, and tip racks. Depending on setup, the gripper can move labware to and from slots on the deck, to or from modules, or into the trash chute.
Deck	12 main ANSI/SLAS-format deck slots (working area, accessible to pipettes and gripper) 4 additional slots for staging tips and labware (staging area, accessible to gripper only) Deck can be reconfigured by removing deck slots and replacing them with other deck fixtures, including movable trash and module caddies
On-device touchscreen	7-inch LCD touchscreen featuring scratch- and damage-resistant Gorilla® Glass 3 Enables running protocols and checking on the robot’s status directly from the lab bench
Connectivity	802.11 ac/a/b/g/n Dual-Band (2.4/5 GHz), USB 2.0, ethernet
Video	Integrated video camera (included for future or custom functionality)
Power requirements	Power Adapter Input: 100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 4.0 A/115 VAC, 2.0 A/230 VAC
Frame composition	Rigid steel and CNC aluminum design Frame has openings for polycarbonate side windows and front door. These can be easily removed for integration of external devices, such as robotic arms.
Operating temperature & relative humidity	Recommended 20–25 °C Recommended 40–60% RH
1-channel accuracy & precision	Pipette Volume Random Error Systematic Error   µL %D µL %CV µL Flex 1-Channel Pipette (1–50 µL) 1 10 50 ±8.00% ±1.50% ±1.25% 0.08 µL 0.15 µL 0.625 µL ±5.00% ±0.50% ±0.40% 0.05 µl 0.05 µl 0.20 µl Flex 1-Channel Pipette (5–1000 µL) 5 50 200 1000 ±5.00% ±0.50% ±0.50% ±0.50% 0.25 µL 0.25 µL 1.00 µL 5.00 µL ±2.50% ±0.30% ±0.15% ±0.15% 0.125 µL 0.15 µL 0.30 µL 1.50 µL
Sterility	Full polycarbonate enclosure designed to limit exposure. The Opentrons Flex is not a sterile environment. An optional HEPA/UV accessory is in development.
Viscosity	For guidance on automating viscous liquid handling, review our application note. This data was developed on the OT-2, but best practices remain the same for Opentrons Flex. Viscous Liquid Handling Automation using Opentrons OT-2 ›
API compatibility	Opentrons software is open-source and users can make adjustments to the software as needed to interface with other products. While all integrations are possible, they all require custom code work: most customers will need to write custom libraries and install software packages that are not shipped with the robot.
Interface	Windows 10 or later, macOS 10.10 or later, Ubuntu 12.04 or later. Opentrons App ›
Tip compatibility	Use Opentrons Flex Tips and Opentrons Flex Filter Tips Opentrons guarantees the performance of Opentrons Flex Tips which were specifically designed for the Opentrons Flex. Opentrons Flex tips do not have universal bore sizing. Third-party tip performance cannot be guaranteed by Opentrons.
Labware compatibility	Use common labware already in our Labware Library, or add your own. If your labware fits on the Opentrons Flex but is not in the Labware Library, you can add it using our Labware Creator or by our team.
Warranty	One-year warranty against manufacturer defects
Return policy	60 days, 100% risk-free
Certifications	Certifications complete: CE, UL, FCC, ISO 9001 Not certified/validated: IVD, GMP
What’s in the box	Flex robot Trash bin Power supply and regional IEC cable Ethernet cable Tool kit Spare deck clips Spare deck slot to take the place of trash bin Calibration block Lift handles

Touchscreen for Easy Protocol Setup

Image Credit: Opentrons

Using the touchscreen on the lab bench, choose and execute protocols directly. It also walks users through automated calibration and deck setup.

Gripper Extends Walkaway Time

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The Flex Gripper can move plates and tip racks across the deck or on and off modules to increase throughput and walkaway time.

Modules to Fit the Workflow

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Opentrons modules integrate efficiently with the robots and software and are easily swapped out by the user. Choose between an on-deck Thermocycler, Heater-Shaker, Temperature, and Magnetic Block.

Easily Swap Pipettes

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Reliable liquid transfers from 1–1000 µL with the swappable 1-, 8-, and 96-channel pipettes.

• 1-channel
  • 1–50 μL
  • 5–1000 μL

Image Credit: Opentrons

• 8-channel
  • 1–50 μL
  • 5–1000 μL

Image Credit: Opentrons

• 96-channel
  • 5–1000 μL

Image Credit: Opentrons

Multiple Options to Create Protocols

Shape the experiments precisely. Select a protocol technique appropriate for the user’s workflow and experience.

• Protocol designer
  • To develop new protocols, just use the intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
• Protocol library
  • Browse well-documented, open-source protocols
• Python Protocol API
  • Users can create their own protocol using the open-source Python Protocol API
• Custom protocol
  • The professionals design a protocol that is optimized for the user’s experiment, no matter how difficult.