How to Build Your First Lab Workcell
So, you’re interested in lab automation…
That’s great! You’re probably interested in automating your workflows because you like consistent data, you want to get away from frustrating repetitive tasks, or you want to get more runtime on your lab equipment. Or maybe you just like robots.
Regardless, thinking about lab automation is a great first step. But how do you get from an automation idea to a workcell in the lab? Today we’ll discuss when projects are a good fit for automation, what the design and solutioning of a workcell looks like, and what to expect once the project kicks off!
First things first: are you ready to automate?
It’s never too early to start thinking about lab automation. Choosing instruments and kits that work best on an automated workcell will prevent the need to re-validate or purchase new instruments in the future. That said, there are some assays that are just not a good fit for lab automation. Here’s a few initial questions to ask yourself:
- Are your workflows consistent? It takes time to set up a lab workflow to be reliably automated. Small changes from day to day (dispense volumes, number of samples, different compound plates, etc.) are all great, but if your SOP is changing entirely from week to week, it may make more sense to wait until that method is locked down.
- What is your throughput? If you’re only running one three hour experiment a week, it may be hard to justify the cost and space. If you’re doing the same couple protocols all day every day, automation is an easy choice.
- Are you working with labware and instrumentation that is automatable? For labware, things that are or can fit in the size of a standard 96-well plate are easiest to work with. For instruments, look for devices referred to as “automation friendly” (usually meaning a motorized sample door and the ability to communicate with automation software). There are lots of alternatives out there for both devices and consumables, so feel free to reach out to an automation integrator if you are unsure.
I’m ready! What’s next?
You’ve got a locked-down workflow, you’ve hit the scale you need to make a reasonable return on investment, and you’ve got some budget that could be put to good use on an automation platform. Great!
The first step from here is to reach out to a lab automation integrator like Automata. The first conversation will be around what it is you’re trying to do. Don’t feel like you need to come prepared, but here are some of the questions we ask in addition to those above:
- What instruments are you currently using? Some can be easily integrated into an automated workcell, some may take some driver development and testing, and others are not automation friendly. In the case of the latter, we can make automation-friendly recommendations.
- How hands-off do you want to be? Do you want the system to carry enough reagents and labware for one day or one week?
- Any special conditions for your sample or your reagents? We can take into account any considerations such as temperature or light sensitivity, etc.)
- Any sterility requirements we need to be aware of? We have enclosure options we can run by you.
- What’s the timeline? Is this a fast-moving project that needs to be solutioned quickly, or do you need an idea of pricing so you can submit it for next year’s budget?
From these questions, we can put together a rough design of your system. Some back and forth usually occurs to make sure we have all the instrumentation you need in a way that best fits your lab.
Once the design is locked down, we get hard at work generating the most important document of your lab automation project: The User Requirements Specification or URS. Also known as a Statement of Work, this is the project charter that outlines what your system will look like, what methods will be written for it, what data requirements your workflows have, and more. Simply put, it’s the document that defines success for you and a workcell integrator.
We bought an automated system. What now?
How exciting! This is where the real work begins to bring the proposed system to life. Each integrator has a slightly different process, but they all roughly are based on three major phases:
Procurement/Build
This is where the robot, benches, and any instrumentation that you do not already have will be purchased. While those items are built and/or shipped, there will be some other things going on in the background:
- Drivers developed for any unique instruments
- Site inspection to confirm your lab is ready and there is a way to get the crates in
- Methods will start to be developed in the scheduling software
Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT)
The workcell will be built in our Boston or London office. We will run through all the workflows described in the URS document generated before project kickoff, and you'll have an opportunity to visit during FAT, or request videos of the key tests. You’ll let us know if anything doesn’t look quite right and we’ll make adjustments before packing the system up.
Site Acceptance Testing (SAT)
The workcell is shipped to your lab, is re-built, and the tests performed in FAT are repeated. Sometimes you may not be able to let us have a critical instrument at our office, or there may be some equipment like the sterility enclosure that can only be built on-site. In that case, additional testing will make sure those components are integrated smoothly. You’ll identify any last tweaks that are needed before you’re trained up on the system and start running samples.
You Did It!
At this point, you should have a fully functioning workcell. SAT is complete and the support phase kicks into effect. At Automata, this means regular check-ins from your Customer Success Manager to ensure everything is running smoothly.
Need some more training? Want to develop new protocols? Keep running into issues? No problem, we’re happy to help.
If reading this makes you think it’s time to start drawing up that first workcell, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’ll do our best to make it as streamlined as possible. Looking forward to making your first lab automation project a reality!
