German manufacturer Brand has added Flow to its portfolio. The new pipetting robot has been designed to provide laboratories with a liquid handling station with cleanroom conditions.
“The newly developed FlowBox of the Liquid Handling Station FlowBox provides cleanroom conditions at your workbench. The HEPA filter (HEPA 14 according to DIN EN 1822) cleans the intake air, then directs it horizontally in a laminar flow across the workplaces inside the liquid handling station.
“With the door closed, the air inside the cabinet is replaced approx. 260 times per hour (at a volume flow rate of 22 m3/h), and exits through special openings in the front door. The system meets cleanroom requirements of ISO 14 644-1 (Class 5) and GMP Annex 1 (Class A) in the work area and thus protects the samples from airborne contamination,” read a statement.
In addition, the unit’s software performs a three-minute air flushing routine before starting the pipetting process, leaving no measurable particles (particle sizes 0.5 μm, 0.7 μm, 1.0 μm, 3 μm, and 5 μm) inside the cabinet.
During the pipetting procedure, the air flow is controlled automatically and increases to 29 m3/h when the front door is opened, preventing unfiltered air from entering the workplace of the unit.