XPeel

The XPeel removes heat-applied seals from microplates using a tape removal medium rather than a mechanical peeling mechanism — Azenta states the patented approach exists precisely because mechanical removal mechanisms are prone to failure.

At a glance

Throughput	Up to 200 seals per hour
Labware	Compatible with virtually all microplate and seal types
Removal method	Patented tape removal medium, not a mechanical mechanism
Operation	One-touch push-button standalone, or integrated with external robotics
Revolution control	Peel with speed and adhere-time options, set peel count, reset, restart

Specifications

The 200 seals per hour figure is the one to schedule against — 18 seconds per plate — and it is the instrument’s own rate, before any robot transfer time is added. Azenta also states the instrument supports manual standalone use, or integration into automated systems with external robotics.

Supported methods

• Peel — remove the seal from the plate at the handoff position. Three parameters shape the operation:
  • start and speed options — how the peel begins and how fast it runs
  • adhere time — how long the tape is given to bond to the seal before lifting
  • ignore seal sensor — proceed even when the seal sensor does not detect a seal
• Set peel count — set the peel count
• Reset device — reset the instrument
• Restart device — restart the instrument

Adhere time is the parameter that matters for a stubborn seal: giving the tape longer to bond before the lift is what gets a firmly-applied seal off in one pass rather than leaving residue.

Ignore seal sensor should be used deliberately rather than by default. The sensor exists to stop the instrument peeling a plate that has no seal on it; overriding it is useful when the sensor cannot see an unusual seal, and unhelpful when the plate genuinely arrived unsealed.

Integration

Revolution talks to the XPeel over a serial connection.

Prerequisites

• The instrument must be cabled to the Revolution host and its COM port number known before the device is initialised.
• Tape must be loaded, and the used-tape waste emptied as the instrument requires — the tape is a consumable, and an unattended run will stop when it is exhausted.
• The plate must be presented at the handoff position for the robot serving it.

Device configuration

Property	Purpose
Com port number	Serial port the instrument is connected on

If you need more of this instrument driven from a schedule, get in touch — the driver is extended on demand.