Intelligent Automation

Intelligent Automation

Who are PAA ?

Who are Process Analysis & Automation ?

Incorporated in 1992 Software supplier, OVERLORD Offer systems integration services Independent automation supplier Experienced in multi-vendor platforms

– PE/GE/Thermo/Caliper/Tecan/Beckman/Hamilton – Drivers for 75+ manufacturers, 230+

instruments Unique software solutions

– Tried and tested, over 400 sold worldwide

Laboratory Automation Experience

1986 1988 1995

1998 2004

Intelligent Automation

Why do we automate ?

Why do we automate ?

Speed Reliability

– Small workstations Extend instrument operating hours Cost effective analysis Data and sample tracking

The tools

Laboratory robot Storage Liquid handling Barcode reader Shaker Luminex

Hardware list – Robots 1

automate.it SCARA

Hardware list – Robots 2

PE PlateStakMitsubishi

Hardware list - Storage Incubator Storage

Storage

Hardware list – Liquid Handling

Reagent dispensing

Flexdrop

Liquid Handling

PlateWash

Hardware list – Other peripherals

Barcode reader

Plate reader

Intelligent Automation

What automation to offer ?

What automation to offer ?

Listen to customer– Some want ‘off the shelf’ solution– Some want full flexibility– Some want simple– Some have no idea what they need

Sell them what they ask for !

Control Software Real-time

scheduling– Overlord2– Event driven

Time-resolved scheduling– OVERLORD

Scheduler– Time driven

eitherschedu

ler

Bio-Rad

Intelligent Automation

What is OVERLORD ?

What is Overlord?

Suite of Automation software by PAA

Product range is 10 years old Support for more than 230

instruments Two main products

– Workstation– Scheduler

Common features Support for over 230 instruments Data handling facilities Utilizes original instrument software Can integrate with most databases

– SQL Server, Oracle, Access 21 CFR Part 11 Compliant Full system tracking Error notification Error Recovery

Which product ?Advantages Disadvantages

Overlord2

Very FlexibleTrue Dynamic Scheduling

Takes longer to setup

OVERLORD Scheduler

Very easy to useObeys critical timingsSchedules fixed processes

Cannot make decisions

Most suitable

OVERLORD Scheduler

OVERLORD Scheduler Static/time driven Icon based drag and drop Gantt chart

interface Can optimise and interleave different

assays within a single run Each assay run with exact incubation

timings Very easy to create an assay Add new assays when the system is

running

Overlord2

Overlord2

dynamic/real-time/event Icon based drag and drop set-up Flow chart interface Very flexible Dynamic scheduling

– decisions can be made in real-time

Overlord2 - Model

Common Model through application Procedures defined that contain

Actions Actions define how to run a

Command Commands are:

– Instruments– Plugins– Flow Control

Overlord2 - Runtime

Executes Procedures from the Model

Processes the Flow using Overlord variables

All errors handled with different options

More Run Engines planned

Overlord2 - Customizable Overlord drivers quickly ALL components can be modified Different Run Engines can be run Can use different GUI, Excel could be used Master or slave .NET Framework, API will be utilized This technology helps writing instrument

drivers Fresh ideas for the UI to make writing

assays easier

Overlord2 - Summary

OVERLORD Workstation was a mature product

Overlord2 based upon .NET Framework

Common Model Different Run Engines can be used Components can customized

Intelligent Automation

Example Systems

Example systems

Mitsubishi Robot

Bulk dispenser

Plate storage

Accurate dispenser

Plate reader

Safety cabinet

Other peripherals

Plate sealer

Plate storage

Plate access

with Twister II

with automate.it SCARA

Intelligent Automation

Bio-Rad example

Intelligent Automation

What extra can PAA offer ?

What extra can PAA offer customers ?

What happens before the plate read ?– Automation expertise– Customer specific user interfaces

What happens after the plate read ?– Data handling expertise– Post run data manipulation– Database interaction

Installation expertise– Highly experienced installation team– All our installation engineers are also

programmers

Intelligent Automation

How can PAA help ?

How can PAA help Bio-Rad ?

Discuss the leads by e-mail/Skype– PAA may have done it before– PAA may have specialist knowledge to

make the Bio-Rad option sexy versus the competition

Allow PAA to demonstrate the solution by Web

Flexible customer orientated automation solutions