Opentrons Flex Robot

Flex fits you, not the other way around

Opentrons Flex is everything today’s lab automation systems are not. It’s flexible, versatile and liberating.

Powerful automation for your application

NGS Library Prep

With the Flex NGS Workstation, you can automate NGS library prep at the scale you need to increase efficiency, reduce errors, and save hands-on time. Automate all your pre-sequencing workflows using any leading reagent system, including fragmentation- and tagmentation-based library prep, on the market.

PCR

With the Flex PCR Workstation, you can fully automate your PCR setup and thermocycling workflow for up to 96 samples. Aliquot chilled reagents and samples into a 96-well PCR plate, use the Flex Gripper to load the plate into the on-deck thermocycler on the Flex deck, and then run your chosen PCR program.

Protein Purification

With the Flex Magnetic Bead Protein Purification Workstation, you can automate small-scale protein purification and proteomics sample prep for up to 96 samples. This workstation is compatible with many popular magnetic bead-based reagents.

Nucleic Acid Extraction

With the Flex Nucleic Acid Extraction Workstation, you can automate DNA/RNA isolation and purification. This workstation comes with the Flex Magnetic Block for separation of magnetic beads, and the Opentrons Heater-Shaker for sample lysis and resuspension of magnetic beads.

Sample Prep

With the Flex Prep Workstation, you can automate your simple pipetting workflows such as sample transfers and reagent aliquoting.

Touchscreen for easy protocol setup

Select and run protocols directly from the lab bench using the touchscreen. It also guides you through deck setup and automated calibration.

Gripper extends walkaway time

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

Modules to fit your workflow

Opentrons modules work seamlessly with our robots and software, and can be easily swapped out yourself. Choose from on-deck Thermocycler, Heater-Shaker, Temperature and Magnetic Block.

Easily swap pipettes

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

Tech Specs

• 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: 1-200 µL, 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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, it can be added by you using our Labware Creator, or by our team

Warranty

One year warranty against manufacturer defects

Return policy

60 day return policy

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 place of trash bin
Calibration block
Lift handles