Tecan Freedom EVO-2 100 Liquid Handler 10541100
The Tecan Freedom EVO-2 100 (Base Part Number: 10541100) is a highly reliable, compact open-architecture liquid handling platform designed for small-to-medium throughput laboratories. Positioned as the mid-sized footprint in Tecan’s established Freedom EVO series, the EVO-100 balances deck capacity with space efficiency, making it a staple for automated sample preparation, assay setup, and biochemical screening.
Tecan Freedom EVO-2 100 Specifications & Architecture
- Footprint & Deck Size: The EVO 100 offers a 100 cm wide deck. Therefore, it provides approximately 27 grid positions for microplates, tip racks, reagent carriers, and wash stations.
- Dynamic Arm Configuration: The system typically supports up to two independent robotic arms. Most commonly, it is configured with a Liquid Handling Arm (LiHa) and a Robotic Manipulator Arm (RoMa).
- Pipetting Technology: It is available in both air-displacement and liquid-filled displacement configurations. Furthermore, it accommodates disposable tips or washable fixed steel tips to match chemical compatibility requirements.
Core Applications of the Tecan Freedom EVO-2 100
Because the Freedom EVO platform operates on an open-layout design, it can be tailored to a vast array of life science workflows:
- Genomics: Automated DNA/RNA extraction, PCR and qPCR setup, next-generation sequencing (NGS) library preparation, and magnetic bead-based purifications.
- Cell Biology & Screening: Microplate replication, serial dilutions, compound hit picking, and cell culture maintenance (when integrated with a laminar flow hood).
- Analytical Chemistry: Sample dilution series, solid-phase extraction (SPE) setup, and aliquoting for LC-MS or HPLC analytics.
Expert Technical Advantages
1. True Walkaway Integration
Unlike entry-level pipetters, the EVO-2 series excels at integrating peripheral hardware. For instance, the deck structure allows seamless undersurface mounting of orbital shakers, vacuum manifolds, magnetic blocks, and incubators. As a result, this enables full assay automation from raw sample to final read without manual intervention.
2. Process Safety and Liquid Detection
The platform utilizes sophisticated Capacitive Liquid Level Detection (cLLD) and Pressure-based Liquid Level Detection (pLLD). First, this dual-sensing mechanism minimizes tip immersion depth to reduce carryover contamination. Moreover, it flags errors such as clogged tips, empty reagent vessels, or foam detection in real-time.
3. EVOWare Software Flexibility
Controlled via Freedom EVOware, the system offers precise script customization. Experienced automation engineers can map intricate liquid classes (adjusting aspiration speeds, blowout volumes, and settling times) to successfully handle challenging pipetting matrices, such as viscous glycerol stocks, volatile solvents, or foaming detergents.
Maintenance and Deployment Considerations
When acquiring or deploying a pre-owned or surplus EVO-2 100 base workstation, technical teams should prioritize the following verification steps:
- Syringe Drive Calibration: Inspect the syringe drives and valves for wear or micro-leaks, ensuring volumetric precision remains within manufacturer thresholds.
- Arm Alignment & Teach Points: Over time or during transit, X/Y/Z spatial axes can shift. The system requires precise re-teaching of grid coordinates using standard alignment pins to prevent tip crashes.
- Tubing and Fluidics: For systems utilizing liquid-filled LiHa arms, check system fluid lines for micro-fissures or biological growth, and flush thoroughly with deionized water or specialized system cleaners.
In summary, the Tecan Freedom EVO-2 100 is a versatile, open-architecture liquid handler ideal for small-to-medium labs. Powered by seamless hardware integration, advanced liquid sensing, and customizable EVOWare software, it easily handles demanding workflows from genomics to analytical chemistry. To ensure peak accuracy and performance, routine calibration and fluidics maintenance are essential.