Micronic has announced the launch of an Automatic Screw Cap DeCapper™ system. The next-generation Screw Cap DeCapper is an innovative, easy-to-use device that provides automated decapping/capping of screw cap storage tubes in 96-tube racks in portrait or landscape formats. The device is able to cap or decap 96 Screw Cap tubes, in rows of 8 or 12, in just 60 seconds.

The new device is able to provide an automated capping / decapping solution for Micronic screw cap tubes, screw caps and the recently introduced low profile screw caps. Micronic low profile screw caps provide an unmatchable solution for biobanks and other laboratory facilities that need a space saving solution for their long-term sample storage at low temperatures.

The Automatic Screw Cap DeCapper includes new features such as real-time process monitoring, and torque monitoring for optimal tube sealing, to enhance sample security. An innovative “secure mode” further enhances sample security by decapping and recapping only one row at a time, minimising the time a tube is open and eliminating the risk of cross contamination. This feature also enables the rows to be paused for “point-of-use” pipetting between capping and recapping, which is very useful for manual workflows. A new turntable allows tube racks to be turned after decapping for better positioning in pipetting workflows. A laser sensor on the Automatic Screw Cap DeCapper detects the tube height so that no adapters are needed for different tube sizes. The devices graphical touchscreen interface simplifies programming and it clearly displays tubes to be capped or recapped which makes the Screw Cap DeCapper very easy to operate.