Thermo Electron
ARM Automation Platform
Superior dexterity and proven robotics
come together on one platform to
automate the most challenging drug
discovery applications.
Only Thermo's ARM automation platform
combines proven industrial robotics with
extreme freedom of motion to automate the
most sensitive and demanding research
projects. The system is ideal for laboratories
requiring flexibility, efficient use of space,
and seamless integration of lab peripherals.
The Trusted Choice to Automate All Your
Application Needs
Thermo’s proven ARM automation platform helps you
accelerate drug discovery by automating a variety of assays,
including those requiring specialized equipment. Designed
with a greater degree of freedom and wider range of motion,
the system’s articulated arm achieves even your most
difficult automation tasks with ease. It integrates readily
with a wide range of devices — from simple to hard-toreach and non-robot-friendly instruments. The ARM
automation platform is ideal for applications requiring
complex movements and efficient use of three-dimensional
space. With Thermo’s 20-year heritage of trusted life science
robotic technology, you have the confidence of low-risk
installation, fast startup, future expansion capability, and
highly reliable, continuous operation.
Flexible Automation for Multiple Applications
The flexible and highly dexterous system enables
researchers to automate any assay, method, or protocol, and
it will handle multiple applications simultaneously. Thermo’s
integration experts provide turnkey ARM solutions that
seamlessly integrate existing instruments, best-in-class
technologies, and custom peripherals to handle your most
critical and sensitive applications — including but not
limited to:
• Genomics
DNA Purification
Gene Expression
Sequencing Reaction Setup
• Proteomics
Protein Purification
Protein Crystallography
Protein Digestion/MALDI Sample Prep
• High-Content/Cell-Based Screening
• Primary and Secondary High-Throughput Screening
• ADME/Tox
• ELISA
• Sample Preparation/Solid Phase Extraction
• Barcode Print and Apply
The ARM system is ideal for
automating very sensitive
assays, such as highcontent screening and
protein crystallography.
(Left) All of Thermo’s articulated arms can be
mounted on a high-speed linear track for countless
expansion configurations. (Above) The ARM system
automates sensitive assays, such as protein
crystallography and HCS. (Right) The F3 can handle
a stack of microtiter plates.
Thermo Electron
ARM Automation Platform
Proven Robotic Technologies
Thermo ARM automation
technology is designed to provide
highly precise movement without
sacrificing speed or throughput. With
smooth, human-like movement and six
axes of motion, the system’s
articulated robots offer unmatched
levels of dexterity. This design
provides extreme flexibility to access
difficult-to-reach instruments. The
robots can be mounted upright or
upside down for highly efficient use of
space. In addition, the platform’s
available grippers and end-of-arm
devices permit the use of an almost
endless variety of tubes, plates, and
other containers.
F3 Robot Arm
The CRS F3 robot has six degrees
of freedom and a 900 mm reach that
allow for greater dexterity and
increased range. The robot performs
with exceptional precision and
repeatability (±0.05 mm), allowing for
very exact plate placement every
time. A 360-degree range of motion
gives users the freedom to build
applications that entirely surround the
robot. With its 3 kg payload capacity,
the F3 can handle virtually any
container type — including heavy
stacks of microtiter plates.
CataLyst-5 Robot Arm
The CataLyst-5 robot offers
reliability, precision, and 360-degree
range of motion for the efficient
integration of instruments and storage
devices. Its 735 mm reach, 5-axis
degree of freedom, and 1 kg payload
provide the flexibility to automate a
wide range of laboratory applications
and handle almost all microtiter
plates. The CataLyst-5 robot
represents an exceptional value at a
highly affordable price.
Tracks & Grippers
A wide array of linear tracks allows
for system expansion and the addition
of more instruments. The high-speed
tracks can be added to a stand-alone
robot. They give the robot greater
range and additional instrument
capacity. Available in multiple sizes up
to 5 m, the tracks enable easy and
efficient system expansion.
Optional grippers allow for the
handling of an endless variety of plate,
tube, and container types and provide
access to non-standard instruments.
The grippers come with pneumatic or
servo control, and feature constant
feedback for greater error prevention.
They can be combined with different
end-of-arm devices such as force/torque
sensors and collision detectors.
With virtually unlimited options,
the ARM platform automates
applications previously thought
impossible.
Applications Support
Thermo’s applications support team
helps transform your research ideas into
reliable, effective automation solutions.
Our scientists have managed laboratories
and know how to solve the complex
problems you face. Their expertise in
biology, chemistry, and assay development
creates the systems and processes that
best meet your most demanding needs.
Our team identifies your research
requirements, checks your specifications
for accuracy, conducts throughput
analysis, and designs the system layout to
ensure the automation platform is
optimized for your application at the
lowest cost. With the experience of
countless system integrations, Thermo’s
applications support group can provide
counsel on third-party equipment, suggest
the best instruments/peripherals, facilitate
future upgrades, and expedite integration
with upstream and downstream data.
Optimize Laboratory Space
The system’s greater reach and precise movement allow efficient use of
vertical space and high-density instrument and storage configurations. Reagents,
plates, and instrument controllers are stored under the table to conserve space and
provide easy access. With the robot’s wide range of motion, instruments may be
stacked up to four-high on mezzanines located above the table.
Expert Integration
With over two decades of robotic system integration expertise, Thermo can
incorporate any third-party vendor’s instrument into its Thermo ARM automation
platform for best-in-class performance and maximum use of existing assets. With
our in-house mechanical, software, and applications experts, we can also design
custom components for your most demanding applications.
Rapidly expand the platform for
increased capacity and additional
assays while retaining the flexibility
for future expansion.
®
POLARA Software
Our proven POLARA scheduling software controls all
system components and instruments to handle a broad range of
applications — from small benchtop automation to complete
turnkey solutions. A single POLARA package automates
multiple applications and schedules them simultaneously for
high-throughput processing. The software supports overlapping
operations to maximize component usage and minimize wait
times. In addition, POLARA software features robust error
handling, run recovery, and batch extension that allow users to
continuously run the system. The package provides consistent
scheduling of each sample and operates in attended and
unattended modes. Prewritten instrument interfaces are
available. The software is compatible with more than 120
instruments and is 21 CFR Part 11 compliant.
Before
CASE STUDY
A leading pharmaceutical company wanted to
expand its ARM automation platform to run additional
assays and increase throughput. Thermo quickly
increased the capability of the platform’s F3 robot by
adding a high-speed 2 m track for greater workspace
plus range and flexibility. The overall system was
lengthened by 1.2 m, allowing the addition of more
instruments to the automated solution. Incubator
capacity was tripled, allowing longer walk-away time.
The tripling of bulk dispensing capacity permitted the
lab to run a wider range of methods with faster assay
changeover. The POLARA software also was upgraded,
enabling features such as Batch Addition and Run
Resume. As a result, the company rapidly expanded
the platform’s capacity to run additional assays and
retained the flexibility for still more expansion.
After
Thermo Services
Thermo is committed to helping your laboratory achieve
success. Our solutions ensure that your Thermo automation
systems are optimized for accuracy, productivity, and
performance. We offer flexible solutions:
• Service agreements
• Preventative maintenance plans
• Software upgrades
• Software application support
• Technical support
• Integration services
• Relocation services
• Training
Contact a Thermo representative to tailor the service solution that
best meets your needs.
Bioscience Technologies Division
Laboratory Automation and Integration
5344 John Lucas Drive
Burlington, ON
L7L 6A6 Canada
North America:
+1-800-365-7587
Email: sales.labautomation@thermo.com
Europe:
+44 870 609 9203
Email: sales.btd.uk@thermo.com
Asia:
China +86 21 5465 7588
India +91 22 2778 1101
Japan +81 45 453 9220
Hong Kong (including Asia Pacific) +852 2885 4613
Email: info.asia@thermo.com
www.thermo.com/automate
© 2005 Thermo Electron Corporation POLARA is a registered trademark of
Thermo Electron Corporation. Analyze, Detect, Measure, and Control is a
trademark of Thermo Electron Corporation.
BRO-LAI-ARM-4./05 0417016