Foreword Welcome to the Opentrons Flex Automatic Pipetting Workstation Instruction Manual. This manual provides comprehensive guidance for daily setup and use of the Flex Automatic Pipetting Workstation, focusing on many of the topics of greatest concern to daily Flex users in the laboratory environment.

Manual Structure The Opentrons Flex fully automatic pipetting workstation is a complex system. You can learn about this system from different ways. If necessary, you can also jump directly to the chapter that interests you! For example, if the Flex fully automated pipetting workstation is already properly installed in your laboratory, you can skip the installation and moving chapters.

If you prefer guided reading, this manual is carefully structured so that you can read it systematically from the beginning to the end. ? About Flex. Chapter 1 introduces the main features of Flex, as well as important safety and regulatory information. ? Unboxing Flex. If you need to install Flex, please follow the detailed instructions in Chapter 2 Installation and Moving, and then learn about the basic components of Flex from Chapter 3 System Description. ? Set up the deck. Configure the deck to enable the Flex application. Chapter 4 Modules introduces Opentrons peripheral modules or hardware that can be embedded or piggybacked into operation on the deck. Chapter 5 Laboratory explains how to pipette using a machine. ? Run the protocol. The primary purpose of Flex is to run standardized scientific procedures, known as protocols. Chapter 6, Protocol Development, introduces how to obtain ready-made protocols or design your own protocols. Chapter 7 Software and Operation describes how to run the protocol, perform other tasks, and customize machine settings. ? Flex maintenance. Follow the maintenance and service recommendations in Chapter 8 to clean Flex in time to maintain optimal operation; or apply for Opentrons service projects and let us help you maintain it. ? More additional information. Want to know more? You can view the appendix. ? Appendix A Glossary defines Flex-related terms. ? Appendix B Additional Materials provides more information about Opentrons products and resources to facilitate writing Flex control code. ? Appendix C Open Source Software describes GitHub Opentrons software resources for developers and non-developers. ? Appendix D, Support and Contact, lists Opentrons contact information so you can seek additional assistance from us.

Notes and Warnings There are some special notes and warnings in this manual. "Note" provides you with some practical information that you may not notice during daily use. "Warning" reminds you to pay special attention. Its appearance means that it may cause personal injury, equipment damage, sample or reagent loss or contamination, data loss or other risks of harm.

Chapter 1 IntroductionThis chapter introduces the Opentrons Flex fully automated pipetting workstation ecosystem, including the overall system design and available workstation configurations, as well as the important features you need to understand when installing the Opentrons Flex fully automated pipetting workstation. regulatory and safety information. For more detailed information about the Opentrons Flex fully automated pipetting workstation, please refer to Chapter 3 System Description.

1.1 Welcome to the Opentrons Flex fully automatic pipetting workstationThe Opentrons Flex fully automatic pipetting workstation is a pipetting machine suitable for high-throughput and complex workflows. The Flex pipetting workstation is the basic platform of the modular system. You can install modular systems such as pipettes, plate grippers, deck modules and experimental vessels on it according to your needs. You can operate the machine directly through the Flex touch screen, or remotely from elsewhere in the lab through the Opentrons App or open source API. Opentrons Flex fully automated pipetting workstations provide everything you need to start automating routine laboratory work, including machines, hardware and labware. Regarding other applications, Opentrons Flex runs entirely on open source software and firmware, with no restrictions on reagents and labware, allowing you to design and run your own protocols.

New in Flex The Opentrons Flex pipetting station is part of the Opentrons range of pipetting machines. Users of the Opentrons Flex pipetting station may also be aware of the Opentrons OT-2 pipetting station. Flex outperforms OT-2 in many key ways, with greater throughput and greater automation.

TheOpentrons website provides a detailed comparison of machine technical parameters. TheFlex and OT-2 machines both run on open source software, and the Opentrons App can control both machines simultaneously. Although the OT-2 protocol cannot run directly on Flex, the adaptation is simple (refer to the Protocol Development 6.4 OT-2 Protocol section).

Flex WorkstationOpentrons Flex Workstation consists of the machine, accessories, pipette and plate grippers, modules, and vessels required for specific automation applications. All components of the workstation are modular. If you want to change usage, you can add or replace other Flex hardware and compatible supplies. NGS Workstation Opentrons Flex NGS workstation supports automatic preparation of NGS libraries, using mainstream reagent systems, and automatically performs pre-sequencing workflows, such as fragmentation and targeted library preparation.

In addition to the Flex machine, the NGS workstation also includes: ? Spin plate gripper ? Two 8-channel pipettes (1-50μL and 5-1000μL) ? Ring magnetic stand ? Temperature control module ? Thermal cycling module ? Supporting labware (filter cartridges Tips, microcentrifuge tubes, reservoirs and PCR plates) PCR workstation Opentrons Flex PCR The workstation can automatically configure the PCR system and start the thermal cycle process for up to 96 samples at the same time. The machine distributes cooled reagents and samples evenly into each well of a 96-well PCR plate. Combined with the automated thermal cycler module, use the plate transfer gripper to place the plate into the thermal cycler and run the selected PCR program.

In addition to the Flex machine, the PCR workstation also includes: ? Transfer plate gripper ? Single-channel pipette (1-50μL) ? 8-channel pipette (1-50μL) ? Temperature control module ? Supporting labware (filter tips , microcentrifuge tubes, reservoirs and PCR well plates)

Nucleic acid extraction workstation Opentrons Flex nucleic acid extraction workstation can automatically separate and purify DNA/RNA. It uses a circular magnetic stand to separate magnetic beads, uses a thermal shaker to lyse the sample, and resuspends the magnetic beads. In addition to the Flex machine, the nucleic acid extraction workstation also includes: ? Plate gripper ? Single-channel pipette (5-1000μL) ? 8-channel pipette (5-1000μL) ? Ring magnetic stand ? Thermal shaker ? Supporting laboratory Vessels (filter tips, reservoirs, PCR plates, and deep well plates)

Magnetic bead protein purification workstation Opentrons Flex magnetic bead protein purification workstation can perform automatic small-scale protein purification and proteomics sample preparation for up to 96 samples at the same time. In addition to the Flex machine, the protein purification workstation also includes: ? Plate gripper ? Single-channel pipette (5-1000μL) ? 8-channel pipette (5-1000μL) ? Ring magnetic stand ? Thermal shaker ? Supporting laboratory Vessels (filter tips, reservoirs, PCR plates, and deep well plates)

Original address: Fully Automatic Pipetting Workstation Instruction Manual