Ailun AL-6000 Fully Automated Liquid Handling Workstation

Overview

The Ailun AL-6000 Fully Automated Liquid Handling Workstation is an integrated precision platform engineered for high-throughput, reproducible liquid manipulation in environmental water quality laboratories. Designed around a modular Cartesian robotic architecture with XYZ-axis motorized positioning and multi-channel positive-displacement pipetting, the AL-6000 executes standardized sample preparation workflows—including dilution series generation, reagent addition, standard spiking, filtration support, and sequential vial transfers—without manual intervention. Its core operation adheres to gravimetric and volumetric calibration principles traceable to NIST-certified standards, ensuring compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for testing laboratory competence. The system is purpose-built for routine analysis of surface water, groundwater, wastewater effluents, and drinking water matrices in accordance with EPA Methods 200.7, 200.8, 300.0, and ISO 5667 series protocols.

Key Features

• Modular 8-channel or 12-channel pipetting head with adjustable tip spacing (4.5–9 mm), supporting both standard and low-volume tips (1–1000 µL)
• Integrated deck with up to 24 programmable deck positions accommodating 5–50 mL vials, 96-well plates, centrifuge tubes, and custom carriers
• Onboard barcode reader for sample tube identification and LIMS-compatible sample tracking
• Automated wash station with dual solvent reservoirs (water + organic solvent) and configurable rinse cycles to minimize carryover (<0.005%)
• Temperature-controlled reagent and sample storage zones (4–25°C) with independent monitoring and logging
• Real-time error detection via pressure sensing, tip presence verification, and liquid level sensing (capacitive & optical)
• CE-marked electrical safety compliance and RoHS-compliant construction

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The AL-6000 accommodates aqueous environmental samples across pH 2–12 and turbidity levels up to 1000 NTU, including preserved (HNO₃-acidified) metals samples, filtered (0.45 µm) nutrient solutions, and suspended solids suspensions. It supports ASTM D5173 (determination of dissolved metals), ISO 11929 (evaluation of measurement uncertainty), and USP guidelines for analytical instrument qualification (AIQ). All liquid handling operations are fully audit-trail enabled, with timestamped event logs meeting FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures when deployed with validated software configuration.

Software & Data Management

The workstation operates under Ailun ControlSuite v3.2—a Windows-based, password-protected application supporting method creation via drag-and-drop workflow builder or import of CSV-based protocol templates. Software features include user role-based access control (administrator, analyst, reviewer), full electronic signature capability, automated backup to network drives or NAS devices, and export of raw log files in .CSV and .XML formats compatible with LIMS platforms (e.g., LabWare, STARLIMS, Thermo Fisher SampleManager). Data integrity safeguards include checksum validation, immutable audit trails, and automatic retention of all method versions and execution history for ≥12 months.

Applications

• Preparation of multi-level calibration standards for ICP-OES and ICP-MS analysis of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg, and Ni in drinking water
• Automated dilution of high-concentration wastewater samples prior to COD, BOD₅, or TN/TP spectrophotometric assays
• Reproducible spiking of certified reference materials (CRMs) into field-collected samples for recovery assessment per ISO 5725
• Parallel processing of 24–96 samples for EPA Method 525.3 (pesticides) extraction prep workflows
• Integration with auto-samplers and autosyringe injectors for unattended batch analysis sequences

FAQ

Is the AL-6000 compliant with GLP or GMP requirements?

Yes—when configured with validated software, enabled audit trail, and operated under documented SOPs, the AL-6000 meets GLP (OECD Principles) and GMP (ICH Q7) expectations for instrument qualification and data integrity.
Can it interface with third-party LIMS or chromatography data systems?

Yes—via ODBC, HL7, or RESTful API integration modules; custom middleware development support is available upon request.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for routine operation?

Daily tip ejection verification, weekly pipette calibration using gravimetric checks, and quarterly preventive maintenance by Ailun-certified engineers.
Does the system support ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories’ documentation needs?

Yes—built-in IQ/OQ documentation templates, calibration certificate logging, and traceable metrology records are included in the Validation Support Package.
Is remote diagnostics and software update capability available?

Yes—secure remote access is supported via TLS-encrypted connection with customer authorization; updates are delivered through signed firmware packages with version rollback capability.