Sample Registration and Reformatting
Every tube in the right place.
Application Overview
Sample registration and reformatting are key elements in structured laboratory workflows. Incoming tubes must be identified, assigned to defined rack positions and often reorganized to match downstream analytical or storage requirements. These tasks are repetitive and prone to manual errors when performed without automation.
Automated registration ensures reliable identification of each tube and precise assignment to a defined rack position. Reformatting allows tubes to be transferred between different rack formats, reorganized according to barcode information or predefined processing orders and systematically prepared for subsequent laboratory steps.
Beyond simple rack-to-rack transfer, automated reformatting supports barcode-based sorting, pooling and splitting of tube sets and optional decapping during the transfer process. This enables the preparation of open or closed tubes tailored to downstream workflows such as weighing, liquid filling or analytical processing.
Reformatted racks can also be prepared specifically for external automation systems, for example liquid handling platforms from Tecan or Hamilton. By providing tubes in defined rack formats and orientations, the Lab-Bot ensures seamless integration into existing pipetting or analytical workflows.
By combining barcode identification, controlled pick and place operations and rule-based workflow logic, automated sample registration and reformatting improve traceability, prevent mix-ups and create a reliable structural foundation for further laboratory automation—both internally and across connected systems.
Typical Use Cases
Incoming Sample Registration
- Registration of incoming sample tubes
- Barcode scanning and assignment to defined rack positions
- Structured documentation prior to further processing
- Preparation for quality control or analytical workflows
Rack-to-Rack Reformatting
- Transfer between different rack formats (e.g., SBS to HPLC)
- Conversion from storage racks to working racks
- Adaptation to the format requirements of downstream systems
Barcode-Based Sorting
- Sorting based on barcode content
- Sorting according to processing sequence
- Grouping by batch, lot or work order
Pooling / Splitting of tube sets
- Combining defined tubes into new sets
- Splitting existing tube sets into new configurations
- Preparation for serial analysis or kit assembly
Preparation for External Automation Systems
- Providing defined rack layouts for external liquid handling platforms
- Format and position alignment for systems such as Tecan or Hamilton
- Optional decapping during reformatting to provide open tubes for subsequent processing
- Ensuring correct tube orientation and identification for automated pipetting workflows
Archiving and Structured Storage Preparation
- Reorganizing working racks into archive racks
- Structured rearrangement of large tube collections
- Preparation for storage or long-term archiving
Workflow Description
Key Benefits
Automated Rack-to-Rack Reformatting
Precise transfer of tubes between different rack formats with defined position control.
Barcode-Based Identification and Sorting
Reliable tube identification and rule-based sorting according to barcode content, batch information or processing order.
Defined Position Assignment
Each tube is assigned to a clearly defined rack position, ensuring structured and traceable organization.
Optional Decapping During Reformatting
Tubes can be automatically decapped during transfer to prepare open vessels for downstream processes such as weighing or liquid handling.
Pooling and Splitting of Tube Sets
Automated combination or separation of tube sets to match analytical or workflow requirements.
Preparation for External Automation
Structured rack layouts and defined tube orientation enable seamless integration into downstream systems such as Tecan or Hamilton platforms.
Supported by LABOTIQ Systems
