A sample identifier has to stay readable for the whole life of a tube, from freezing to thawing, handling and, in some workflows, contact with solvents. Labels can loosen or fade under these conditions, and an unreadable identifier puts the traceability of a sample at risk. Laser marking addresses this by engraving the information directly onto the tube or rack.
Not every lab needs a fully automated system to do this. This article looks at where a manual laser marker, like the AFYS3G Manual Information Marking System Lambda8, fits.
What “manual” means for the Manual Information Marking System Lambda8
“Manual” refers to loading. You place the tubes or the rack in the system yourself. The Lambda8 holds one ANSI/SLAS-format rack or up to 25 tubes. The marking itself is done by the laser, controlled through software on the built-in PC.
There are two versions: one for tubes and racks, and one dedicated to racks in 96-, 48- or 24-well formats. The system marks tubes from 0.30 to 15.00 mL, and custom adapters are available for other lab formats.
Where it fits
The Lambda8 suits labs that mark smaller or varying numbers of tubes and prefer to load them themselves. It works with tubes from several suppliers, including Micronic, Azenta (FluidX) and LVL Technologies, so it can be used in labs that work with more than one brand.
Codes are engraved in a non-transparent area of the tube, which means they can be read regardless of the type or colour of the sample. The AFYS3G Reader for Single (Bar)codes Delta10 and High Speed Rack Reader Delta50 can read these engraved codes, provided a barcode has been engraved.
Lambda8 and Lambda768 side by side
The two systems serve different volumes and are complementary.
| Manual Information Marking System Lambda8 | High Throughput Information Marking System Lambda768 | |
|---|---|---|
| Loading | Tubes or rack placed by hand | Multiple racks loaded at once |
| Capacity | One ANSI/SLAS rack or up to 25 tubes | Up to 8 SBS-format racks |
| Tube handling | User places tubes or rack | Machine selects and engraves the tubes |
| Best suited for | Lower or varying volumes | Higher volumes |
Next step
The right marker depends on your own workflow, which tubes and rack formats you use, and how many tubes you need to mark at a time. For a first impression of the Manual Information Marking System Lambda8, the flyer lists the technical specifications.
If you want to see how the Lambda8 fits your workflow, you can request a live demo or ask an AFYS3G expert for advice.
