Formulation system with glovebox

The formulation system is highly flexible and can be reconfigured multiple times a day to run different formulation workflows. The system can run workflows of up to 112 x 30ml formulations. Each step of the system’s workflows are defined in a .csv input file by the user. To carry out workflows, the system uses a variety of processing, handling, dispensing & analysis modules. Two robot arms, and sets of robotic axes, move the pots between the different modules. A pot processing station removes, and stores pot lids and reads the pot’s barcodes. Various types of mixing media can be dispensed into the pot before materials are added, to aid in grinding & mixing. Seven different types of dispensers are used to gravimetrically dispense liquids, powders, resins, pastes & slurries. A HEPA extracted glovebox enclosure features three further dispensers - this enclosure allows hazardous materials to be safely dispensed. A dual asymmetric centrifuge (DAC) is used to mix three formulations simultaneously. If required, formulations can be transferred into syringes, or can be analysed using a ‘pendant drop’ module to measure their surface tension.