The STACK® Intelligent Automation System is a next-generation platform for flexible, scalable, space-efficient, and self-aware lab automation. Designed to eliminate traditional setup friction, Stack combines smart sensing, automated calibration, and modular hardware to adapt as workflows evolve. Whether expanding an existing process or building automation from the ground up, Stack reduces integration time, increases reliability, and gives both researchers and automation engineers a system that understands its environment and responds intelligently to change.
Fully Automate Workflows
‘STACK’ your existing lab automation to
optimize lab space & workflow efficiency
Scale as Your Needs Grow
Build or expand the system in hours, or reconfigure an existing one in minutes
Dynamic Alignment
No fiddling every time an instrument shifts - calibrate instruments once, ever, and move on to your science
Benefits
For Researchers
- Faster time to experiments with minimal automation setup
- Reliable, repeatable plate handling with intelligent grip sensing
- Seamless workflow expansion as instruments are added or rearranged
- Reduced errors through vision-based alignment and barcode verification
- Safer operation with built-in LIDAR monitoring and optional enclosures
For Automation Engineers
- Faster installation and commissioning: systems up and running in hours, not days
- No homing sequences or manual recalibration after changes
- Automated mapping, teaching, and system validation
- Modular hardware that supports rapid reconfiguration
- Simplified cabling, power, and network access across the frame
Smart Alignment: Precision Without Reprogramming
Vision-guided positioning adapts to instrument positions in real time, ensuring precise plate handling without manual retuning. Barcode-aware alignment enables accurate pick-ups and drop-offs, as layouts evolve and instruments are rearranged, delivering reliable automation without fragile coordinates or constant engineer oversight.
- Self-Calibrating Automation That Adapts Instantly
The Stack eliminates traditional setup steps by automatically calibrating itself at every level so changes no longer require reprogramming or downtime. - Absolute Encoders Everywhere, No Homing Required
Every axis uses absolute encoders, allowing the Stack to know its position instantly at power-up. No homing sequences are required, reducing startup time and eliminating the risk of positional drift after power cycles or interruptions. - Automatic Frame Mapping
The Stack automatically maps the frame layout, allowing shelves or frames to be rearranged or expanded at any time. Simply run the auto-mapping tool, and the system updates itself; no manual coordinate updates needed. - Auto-Teach Plate Learning
Using a dedicated autoteach plate, the Stack learns nest positions automatically using the camera system. The robot detects and stores precise locations without hand-teaching, dramatically reducing setup time while improving placement consistency. - Automated Instrument Scanning
With built-in scanning tools, the Stack detects instruments placed anywhere on the frame. Move devices freely, run the autoscan feature, and the system learns their locations, supporting fast reconfiguration without revalidation.
Modular by Design. Flexible by Nature
The Stack is built for modularity, both in its enclosure and across the automation workflow. Modular frames, enclosures, and HEPA filtration adapt to lab needs, while devices on the Stack can be swapped, rearranged, or expanded at any time.
Smart Grip Sensing for Confident Plate Handling
The Stack continuously measures grip force and plate weight during every transfer, actively adjusting in real time to ensure secure handling. This intelligent feedback prevents slipping, crushing, or misalignment, even when plate types vary. The result is safer transfers, higher reliability, and consistent performance across diverse workflows.
Vision-Driven Transfers at Every Step
Multiple cameras integrated into the gripper give Stack real-time visual awareness. A dedicated camera supports smart alignment, while a forward-facing camera monitors plates during transfers and scans barcodes on the fly. Together, they enable verification, tracking, and error prevention, turning every move into a validated action.
From Installation to Automation—In Hours
The Stack is designed for rapid deployment. Automation engineers benefit from automated calibration, mapping, and teaching tools that drastically reduce setup time. Researchers gain an intuitive system with smart alignment, grip sensing, expandability, and built-in safety. The result is a platform that installs quickly and feels approachable, without sacrificing advanced automation capabilities.
Cleaner Connectivity. Smarter Infrastructure.
The Stack rethinks automation infrastructure from the ground up–Power over Ethernet (PoE) delivers power and networking through the frame for single-computer access. Flush-mounted outlets, protected cable trays, and removable cable baskets keep wiring organized, safe, and easy to maintain—without clutter or obstruction.
Safe and Approachable
A LIDAR safety system continuously monitors the workspace, prompting the system to slow down or pause movement when a person or object approaches near it, ensuring safe interaction without restricting accessibility.
Smart Connectivity and Open Integration
The open REST API enables seamless integration with schedulers, LIMS, and third-party instruments. STACK removes vendor lock-in while providing live system feedback and flexible, unified automation control.