Precise Automation Allegro — Specs & Review
Specifications
| Brand | Precise Automation |
|---|---|
| Model | Allegro |
| Year | 2019 |
| Category | Industrial Lite |
| Autonomy | programmable |
| Environment | indoor |
| Weight | 24 kg |
| Dimensions | 55cm H |
| Payload | 3 kg |
| Reach | 580 mm |
| Country of origin | US |
Key features
- 6-axis collaborative arm providing full orientational freedom for non-planar laboratory tasks
- 580 mm reach with 3 kg payload for medical device and lab instrument handling
- Collaborative safety certification — operates alongside lab personnel without guarding
- ±0.02 mm repeatability for precision component placement and assembly
- ACE software shared across Precise Automation PF SCARA platform — no new software adoption
- Integrated controller in base column — same compact footprint as PF series
- SiLA 2 and LIMS integration for laboratory automation ecosystem compatibility
- Complements PF400/PF3400 for mixed SCARA and 6-axis automation cells
Overview
The Precise Automation Allegro is a six-axis collaborative robot arm that completes the Precise Automation portfolio by addressing the applications within laboratory and medical device manufacturing that require full orientational freedom. The PF SCARA series serves horizontal benchtop workflows efficiently; the Allegro extends automation capability to tasks involving tilted surfaces, vessel interiors, and assembly operations that require the tool to approach from multiple angles.
Technical Specifications
Six revolute axes, 580 mm reach, 3 kg payload. Repeatability is ±0.02 mm. The integrated controller is in the robot base column. Single power and communications cable. Weight is approximately 24 kg. Collaborative safety certification with force sensing.
Six-Axis Capability in Life Sciences
In laboratory automation, applications that benefit from six-axis freedom include aspirating from the bottom of non-standard vessels without tip contact with vessel walls, inspecting multi-sided components in a single fixture, and assembling components with varying approach angles. These tasks are difficult or impossible for SCARA robots without multiple fixtures or manual intervention.
Software Integration
The Allegro is programmed via ACE software, the same environment used for the PF SCARA platform. This gives organisations with existing PF400 or PF3400 deployments a familiar interface when adding the Allegro to their automation cell. SiLA 2 and LIMS interfaces are supported for laboratory ecosystem integration.
Target Applications
Medical device sub-assembly with complex approach angles, laboratory instrument loading that requires tilting or rotating components, pharmaceutical vessel access requiring non-vertical approaches, automated testing of multi-sided electronic assemblies, and vision-guided precision placement tasks where component orientation cannot be guaranteed by fixturing.
FAQ
Why would a laboratory choose the Allegro over the PF400 SCARA?
The PF400 excels at flat benchtop workflows — moving microplates, picking tubes, loading instruments on horizontal surfaces. The Allegro is needed when the task requires the tool to approach from a non-vertical angle, access the interior of a vessel, rotate a component to inspect multiple faces, or perform assembly on a non-horizontal surface. Six-axis freedom enables these orientations where SCARA kinematics cannot.
What payload and reach does the Allegro offer?
The Allegro carries 3 kg at a 580 mm reach. This is slightly longer reach and somewhat lower payload than the PF400, reflecting the different geometric requirements of six-axis versus SCARA operations.
Does the Allegro use the same software as the PF400?
Yes. The Allegro is controlled by Precise Automation's ACE software, the same platform used for the PF400 and PF3400 SCARA robots. Organisations already using PF series robots can programme the Allegro without adopting a new software environment.
Is the Allegro certified for cleanroom operation like the PF3400?
The Allegro is certified for collaborative operation but is not specifically rated to ISO Class 5 cleanroom standards. For cleanroom six-axis requirements, users should consult Precise Automation directly about cleanroom-compatible configurations.
How does the Allegro compare to collaborative six-axis robots from Universal Robots or Fanuc?
The Allegro is purpose-built for life sciences and laboratory environments, with ACE software specifically designed for laboratory workflow patterns and integration with SiLA 2 and LIMS. General-purpose cobots from Universal Robots or Fanuc require third-party laboratory software integrations and are not optimised for the specific safety and contamination requirements of pharmaceutical and diagnostic environments.