AAW™ Automated Assay Workstation Frequently Asked Questions

The AAW™ Automated Assay Workstation – Assay Ready (Product No. 99900256) comes with the following:

• AAW™ Automated Assay Workstation
• AAW™ 1-Channel Pipette, 1,000 μL
• AAW™ 8-Channel Pipette, 1,000 μL
• AAW™ Flex Gripper
• Opentrons Flex™ Heater-Shaker (includes all adapters)
• Opentrons Flex™ Magnetic Block
• Opentrons Flex™ Deck Expansion (4 pk)
• Access to the Millipore^® Protocol Library

Other accessories are available separately. You can also get the stand-alone workstation (Product No. 99900241) and purchase accessories as needed.

There are 12 main deck slots. 4 additional slots can be added with the deck expansion set, these can be used for staging tips and labware.

Yes, the AAW™ workstation can be networked through Ethernet or Wi-Fi.  Or, you can choose to isolate it from your network and upload scripts through USB drive.

Yes. The system is modular in nature, and you can mix and match modules based on your needs.

Modules are plug-and-play. They are simple to remove and install and do not require an FSE.

With the AAW™ workstation, you will have full access to the Millipore^® Protocol Library available from the Opentrons^® website.  This library consists of verified automated assay and sample prep protocols that have been developed by our R&D groups to provide accurate and reproducible automated processes for a variety of workflows. This library will continue to grow as new workflows are developed and verified. 

Check the filtered table on our AAW™ hub page for the full list of automated assays we offer. You can also explore all our protocols here. Some examples of assay protocols that are available include:

• SMC^® Assays- a highly sensitive immunoassay method
• Duolink^® PLA - a multicolor proximity ligation assay detection protocol
• PureProteome™ Purification - Lysis and affinity purification of recombinant proteins expressed in E. coli in a 96-well format
• MILLIPLEX^® Assays- Bead-based multiplex immunoassay used with Luminex^® technology

Access to this library is in addition to the many open-access protocols from www.Opentrons.com that are also useable on the AAW™ workstation.

Yes. All Python scripts that are downloaded can be edited freely. 

Yes, you can sign up to be notified for updates, including when new protocols are available. Please fill out our form to stay updated.

Work with one of our local sales representatives on this topic.  You can look into a custom protocol development service to ensure you get the specific protocol you want.

If you have a suggestion for changes to the existing Millipore^® Protocol Library, we can take this for consideration, but there is no guaranteed path for this.

Yes. The Protocol Designer app does not require coding and is a great place to start. Open-source Python API allows for direct coding options, or custom protocol design services are available to build your specific protocol.

Ask for a custom protocol development service.  There are a variety of ways to get help through this service, including on-site development from Opentrons^® Field Application Scientists.

Yes, check out the full list of pipette tips in the filtered table on our hub page.

No. Tips are sold separately.

Every AAW™  instrument has a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty, which covers defects from manufacturing only.

For more advanced service coverage, we offer the Opentrons^® Care Plus Plan (Part Number 30200201). This is a 1-year coverage and includes the following:

• Parts Replacement for Manufacturing Defects
• Parts Replacement for Wear and Tear
• 4-Hour Response Time in US
• 24-Hour Global Response
• On-Site Repair  
• Expedited Shipping of Replacement Parts
• Annual On-Site Instrument PM:
  •     Pipette Precision Verification
  •     Module Temperature Verification
  •     Gantry Alignment Check
  •     Door Safety Mechanism Check
  •     HEPA Filter Replacement
  •     UV Bulb Replacement
  •     Instrument Inspection and Cleaning

Times can vary depending on preparedness of the space and the depth of questioning for the Field Service Engineer or Field Applications Scientist doing the install.  A typical install takes approximately 2-4 hours.

With proper preparation on your part, you can potentially have the first Millipore^® verified assay running same day.

There are different types of calibration. Below are the minimum recommendations.

• Labware Position Checks (LPC) must be done when a new piece of labware (i.e. sample plate, tip box, reservoir, etc.) is introduced to the machine/protocol, or if the machine has been moved from its position where the last check happened. This can take approximately 3 minutes per labware.
• Accessories (i.e. pipettes, heater-shaker, gripper, etc) need to run through position calibration when they are installed. This can take approximately 5 minutes per accessory.
• Annual preventative maintenance by a field service engineer is the only other thing needed to ensure reliable performance.

Yes, you can purchase the Opentrons® Care Plus Plan (Part Number 30200201), which covers the AAW™ workstation. This is a 1-year coverage and includes the following:

• Parts Replacement for Manufacturing Defects
• Parts Replacement for Wear and Tear
• 4-Hour Response Time in US
• 24-Hour Global Response
• On-Site Repair
• Expedited Shipping of Replacement Parts
• Annual On-Site Instrument Preventive Maintenance

The annual PM includes:

• Pipette precision verification
• Module temperature verification
• Gantry alignment check
• Door safety mechanism check
• HEPA filter replacement
• UV bulb replacement
• Instrument inspection and cleaning

We’re always happy to chat with you! Please fill in our form, and a sales rep will reach out shortly.