What exactly is being carried?
Specify the normal container and the allowed variants. Record dimensions in mm, loaded mass in kg, fill condition, closure and permitted orientation. Distinguish the sample container from a secondary carrier and from the fixture that attaches to the robot.
Photographs help explain the arrangement, but manufacture needs controlled dimensions and material requirements. Identify surfaces that may be contacted, areas that must remain untouched and features that can be used for retention.
| Input | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Container type and closure | Determines how the load can be retained and handled. |
| Loaded mass and distribution | Affects structure, stability and mounting review. |
| Center of gravity and overhang | Changes the loaded envelope and response during movement. |
| Fragility and orientation limits | Affects fixtures, acceleration constraints and route evaluation. |
| Contents and compatibility needs | Determines which surfaces, containment measures and operating restrictions need assessment. |
How should the complete load be specified?
Define the operating assembly, not just its contents. For example, a transport load description should account for the carrier, insert, lid, retained contents and any mounted handling hardware included within the selected platform’s payload definition. Clarify that definition with the platform supplier so items are neither omitted nor counted twice.
Record dimensions in mm and mass in kg for each permitted configuration. State orientation, overhang, load distribution and the conditions in which contents can shift. A nominal carrier drawing does not establish the loaded centre of mass or the retention needed during the intended movement.
Use representative containers and approved test substitutes when defining a handling trial. Specify what evidence demonstrates retention and acceptable condition on receipt; do not treat an empty-carrier trial as evidence for every loaded variant.
How will the load remain secure?
Consider the carrier during starting, stopping, turning and any allowed floor transition. A tray that holds a stationary container may not adequately restrain it during movement. Define the intended restraint and how correct loading is verified.
For an irregular or top-heavy item, review support points and the location of the center of gravity. Do not compensate for an unstable arrangement by assuming that software will always move slowly. We need a defined load case to design and verify the carrier assembly.
How should release and cleaning concerns be reviewed?
Provide the contents, container and operating procedures to the responsible project engineers. They should determine whether additional retention or secondary containment is appropriate, and whether mobile transport is suitable at all. A closed lid does not by itself resolve chemical exposure, pressure, incompatibility or contamination risks.
Define permitted cleaning agents, contact duration and affected materials. Electrical enclosures, seals, coatings, labels and sensors may have different compatibility limits. We confirm material compatibility and any required containment measures against those conditions before agreeing the hardware specification.
What must be defined at docking?
- Carrier approach direction and available receiver clearance.
- Working height, alignment features and permitted position error.
- Station-ready condition and allowed transfer motion.
- How grip, retention and load presence are checked.
- How the task is recovered after an interrupted transfer.
Which traceability and environmental conditions matter?
Define whether the workflow tracks an individual sample, a carrier or both. Assign the identity reading point and record owner. Where temperature, transit time or orientation affects the sample, specify the required condition and how it will be measured or verified.
Map the permitted route through the facility. Door access, zone boundaries, charging and maintenance may introduce constraints that are not visible in a workstation drawing. A controlled environment claim needs evidence for the actual product and operating mode.
What belongs in a cleaning compatibility review?
Ask the facility or product owner to supply its actual cleaning requirements. Review exposed materials and assemblies against that requirement, including interfaces that may trap residue or be affected by repeated cleaning.
| Requirement | Information to supply | Evidence to agree |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning method | Agent, concentration, contact time, application method and frequency. | Applicable material and assembly compatibility evidence for those conditions. |
| Exposed materials | Surface, seal, adhesive, label and window materials. | Review of all exposed parts, including identification readability and moving interfaces. |
| Access and removal | Which carrier parts are removable and which must remain installed. | A defined cleaning and reassembly method with any required checks. |
| Acceptance after cleaning | Required condition, function and inspection points. | A repeatable method to assess the agreed outcome. |
Revisit this review when a container material, insert, lid, cleaning process or exposed component changes. Specify who authorizes a new variant and what must be rechecked before it enters the permitted load list.
When may mobile transport be inappropriate?
Pause the configuration decision when containers are unstable or open, contents are unidentified, the route crosses incompatible zones or the required handling condition cannot be maintained. An application with no recoverable handoff state is also incomplete.
The next step may be a revised container, a dedicated transfer interface, a fixed mechanism or a different process arrangement. Send us the unresolved condition with the carrier and station drawings so we can review a suitable hardware arrangement.
Common questions
Can a standard robot move hazardous reagents?
Do not assume suitability. The actual substance, container, route and system design need a project-specific assessment and evidence.
Should carrier weight be included in payload?
Provide the full loaded configuration, including the carrier and tooling, with their positions. The platform designer determines how each load contributes to the rating.
Can a generic cleaning statement cover every application?
No. Define the actual agents, procedures and exposed materials, then establish compatibility evidence.
Is the rated payload enough to approve a carrier?
No. Confirm what the rating includes, the allowed distribution and the full loaded envelope. The carrier, retention, handoff and intended operating conditions also need review.
Does a new container size always require a new platform?
Not necessarily, but it requires an interface and handling assessment. Check fit, retention, mass distribution, identifier visibility, station compatibility and the validation affected by the change.
Turning carrier requirements into manufactured hardware
LabCarry manufactures the body, load platforms, grippers, racks and fixtures in-house. Carrier geometry, materials, mass and contact restrictions become inputs to those mechanical parts and their interfaces.
We integrate that hardware with the sourced base and any selected arm, complete the agreed device connections and calibrate the hardware platform. The customer software directs the transfer workflow through the platform interface and manages sample identity and laboratory process rules.