Precise Automation PF400 — Specs & Review
Specifications
| Brand | Precise Automation |
|---|---|
| Model | PF400 |
| Year | 2015 |
| Category | Industrial Lite |
| Autonomy | programmable |
| Environment | indoor |
| Weight | 18 kg |
| Dimensions | 45cm H |
| Payload | 4 kg |
| Reach | 400 mm |
| Country of origin | US |
Key features
- Collaborative SCARA design certified for operation without permanent guarding
- 400 mm reach with 4 kg payload optimised for laboratory benchtop workflows
- ±0.01 mm repeatability for precise microplate and tube positioning
- Integrated controller in robot base column — no external cabinet required
- ACE software with drag-and-drop lab task sequencing and scripting
- SiLA 2 and LIMS integration support for laboratory automation ecosystems
- Single-cable connection simplifies installation in lab environments
- Four-axis SCARA kinematics matched to flat benchtop working envelopes
Overview
The Precise Automation PF400 is a four-axis SCARA cobot developed specifically for laboratory and pharmaceutical automation. Unlike general-purpose industrial SCARA robots that are optimised for high-speed electronics assembly, the PF400 prioritises collaborative safety certification, compact integration, and software that matches the workflow patterns of laboratory automation: plate movements, tube transfers, reagent dispensing, and instrument loading.
Technical Specifications
Four axes: two horizontal SCARA joints, one vertical (Z) axis, and one rotational (R) wrist axis. Reach is 400 mm with a 4 kg payload. Repeatability is ±0.01 mm. The integrated controller is housed in the robot base column, requiring no external cabinet. A single power and communications cable connects to the host.
Collaborative Safety
The PF400 is certified for collaborative operation with force sensing that enables safety-rated stops on unexpected contact. Laboratory environments require this capability because researchers cannot operate in isolated cells — they must be able to access instruments, check samples, and intervene at any point in a workflow.
Software: ACE Platform
Precise Automation's ACE software provides drag-and-drop task configuration for common laboratory motions (plate moves, tube picks, tip loading) alongside a full scripting environment for complex sequencing. Integration with laboratory automation middleware including SiLA 2 and common LIMS interfaces is supported.
Target Applications
Microplate handling for high-throughput screening, sample tube transfer and capping, pipetting station loading, reagent dispensing, diagnostic cartridge assembly, and compact benchtop assembly of medical devices are the primary deployment contexts.
FAQ
What is a SCARA robot and why is it used in laboratories?
SCARA (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm) robots have two horizontal revolute joints that sweep a flat, disc-shaped working envelope, plus a vertical axis and wrist rotation. This geometry matches laboratory workflows precisely: reaching across microplate grids, moving between instrument stations, and performing pick-and-place on flat benchtop surfaces. SCARA kinematics are simpler, stiffer in the vertical direction, and more space-efficient than six-axis arms for these planar tasks.
Is the PF400 safe to use alongside laboratory personnel?
Yes. The PF400 is certified for collaborative operation, incorporating force sensing that triggers a safety-rated stop if unexpected contact occurs. This allows researchers to work in the same space as the robot without permanent physical barriers, which is essential in laboratory environments where scientists need continuous access to instruments and samples.
What payload and reach does the PF400 offer?
The PF400 carries 4 kg at a 400 mm reach. This accommodates standard laboratory equipment — microplate grippers, tube handlers, pipetting heads — with capacity remaining for the sample or plate being moved.
What software controls the PF400?
Precise Automation's ACE (Automation Control Environment) software controls the PF400. It offers drag-and-drop task configuration for common laboratory motions as well as a full scripting environment for complex multi-step workflows. SiLA 2 and LIMS interfaces are also supported.
How does the PF400 differ from a standard industrial SCARA robot?
Standard industrial SCARA robots (such as those from Epson or Yamaha) are optimised for high-speed electronics assembly and are not certified for collaborative operation — they require safety guarding. The PF400 prioritises collaborative safety certification, laboratory-appropriate software, and an integrated controller form factor suited to benchtop installation.