BRANDTECH's Liquid Handling Station (LHS) is your personal pipetting robot and - an outstanding solution to automating common repetitive pipetting tasks without the complexity and cost of large-scale devices. The LHS makes the benefits of automation accessible to those working with smaller sample volumes in a wide range of pipetting applications covering everything from ELISA to cherry picking to serial dilution.
Key Benefits
- Intuitive – Simple method creation in minutes with the intuitive software – no programming needed!
- Versatile – Seven configurable work positions accommodate individual vessels up to 384-well plates, covering nearly any pipetting need
- Compact – Fits right on your lab bench with a footprint of 24” x 20” and 21” tall
- Consistent - Eliminates pipetting errors from monotonous, repetitive tasks, producing consistent results and saving you time
Applications and Automation of Routine Pipetting
BRANDTECH's Liquid Handling Station (LHS) pipetting robot is your entry point into laboratory automation. With an excellent price/performance ratio and straightforward operation, our automatic pipettor is cost-effective for low and medium throughput labs. Typical applications include:
Additional Applications
- Preparation of 'assay ready' plates
- Serial dilutions
- Replication of microtiter plates (96/96 and 384/384)
- Reformatting of plates (96/384 and 384/96) Cell cultures
- General liquid transfers in single vessels, strips, and plates in the ANSI/SLAS format
- Sample preparation for following analysis
Is the LHS a fit for your lab application?
Our specialists can help in reviewing your applications, and determine how a liquid handling robot can improve throughput in your lab.
The Liquid Handling Station Software
The intuitive LHS software makes it easy to automate repetitive pipetting tasks. You know your research; with our liquid handling robot's you don’t have to know how to code. The graphical user interface (GUI) provides on-screen instructions to guide you through creating even the most complex methods. The GUI also allows you to simulate your method visually, confirm it has been configured properly, and see how long it will take to complete.
Easy User Interface
Software Functions
- Professional user management
- Predefined liquid properties (liquid types) that can be changed or added at any time
- Disposable item (labware) database can be added to on a customer-specific basis
- Testing of inconsistencies by the software
- Automatic logging of procedures (customizable reports)
- Context-sensitive help function
- Data import/export
- E-mail and sound notifications
- Timeline
- Simulation of the programmed methods
New Features of the LHS
Our New Tip Wiping Functionality: The tip wiping function better simulates proper pipetting technique and is particularly beneficial for labs dealing with challenging liquid types such as more viscous or foaming liquids
A Stronger Motor for Enhanced Performance: The new Motor Control Unit II provides greater power and speed when aspirating and dispensing
Expert Service from BRANDTECH
BRANDTECH’s highly-trained team works closely with our LHS customers to ensure their success. Our team is responsive, and knowledgeable, with a focus on creating the best experience for your pipetting automation.
- Before you buy - While you evaluate your automation options, our team will work with you to develop an example method to demonstrate that the LHS addresses your specific needs.
- Getting started - We’ll make sure you get going quickly, including onsite setup assistance, user training, and method validation.
- Ongoing support - Our recommended preventative maintenance (PM) service keeps your automated pipetting system running in optimal condition and produces accurate, repeatable results. Other a la carte services such as additional user training can be quoted on request.
Simple, Easy, and Efficient - BRAND Liquid Handling Station
While the liquid handling robot processes your pipetting jobs, you have time for other tasks. Our Liquid Handling Station works quietly and can be easily adjusted to handle all applicable work steps. Using the intuitive software, you can define your methods quickly, with no programming knowledge required. If the data is already available in a spread-sheet, creating methods is even easier with the import function. Particularly for small and midsized sample volumes, the robot, which operates on the proven air-interface principle, is a cost-effective introduction to laboratory automation.
A compact clean room in your lab - BRAND Liquid Handling Station Flow
Do your samples have to be protected against exposure to particles and micro organisms? Then the Liquid Handling Station flow is the right pipetting robot for you. The FlowBox directs filtered air in a horizontal, laminar air stream through the work area, which prevents contamination. Primary applications are those in which the liquids must be free of particles and micro organisms. The ambient air of the Liquid Handling Station flow is exchanged more than four times per minute. The exhaust air escapes through openings in the front door. This technology conforms with the requirements of ISO 14644-1 (Class 5) and GMP Annex 1 (Class A). The inner compartment is free of particles in less than 5 minutes.
Are you ready to learn more?
The BRANDTECH team of specialists can help determine if lab automation is a good fit for your application.
LHS Accessories
Technical Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
The BRANDTECH® Liquid Handling Station (LHS) is designed for small- to medium-throughput workflows. Its 7-position deck and choice of single-channel or 8-channel liquid ends (pipetting heads) help automate common tasks such as tube-to-plate transfers, serial dilutions, and 96- or 384-well plate preparation where walk-away time and reproducibility are priorities.
In the 1–1000 microliter (µL) range, the LHS can achieve accuracy as tight as ±1.0% and coefficients of variation (CV) as low as ±0.2%, depending on the liquid end (pipetting head) and working volume. This performance supports assays that require high precision and reproducible liquid handling.
The LHS supports a working range of 1–1000 µL using BRAND robotic tips. This range covers typical applications from low-volume assays to higher-volume transfers in microplates and tubes.
The LHS is compatible with both BRAND and third-party ANSI/SLAS-format labware, including microplates (6, 12, 24, 48, 96, and 384 wells), PCR plates (96 and 384 wells), microtubes (0.2, 0.5, 1.5, 2, and 5 mL), deep-well plates (24, 48, 96, and 384 wells), cuvettes, reagent reservoirs, and tube racks (including barcoded tubes). Standard definitions are stored in the software’s labware library, and custom labware definitions can be created upon request.
The LHS uses tip-based air-displacement technology, similar to handheld air-cushion pipettes. A piston moves an air column to aspirate and dispense liquids through disposable tips, keeping the liquid path confined to the tip and reducing cross-contamination risk.
The software allows users to define liquid types and tune pipetting parameters such as aspiration and dispense speeds, air cushion and blowout settings, pre-wet cycles, immersion depth, tip wiping, and wait times. These controls help improve accuracy and reproducibility for viscous, volatile, or foaming liquids and other challenging media.
Yes. When integrated with the INHECO Teleshake 95, the LHS supports on-deck heating for incubations and temperature-controlled workflows. Temperature and timing can be programmed directly within methods.
Yes. The INHECO Teleshake 95 provides programmable shaking and mixing on the deck, enabling controlled resuspension, mixing, and improved homogeneity during automated protocols.
Yes. The Teleshake 95 can be programmed to heat and shake simultaneously, allowing users to define temperature, shaking speed (RPM), and duration for combined incubation and mixing steps within a single automated method.
Yes. The LHS software is designed to be approachable and visually intuitive, with no programming language required. Users build methods through a graphical interface, making the system accessible to both new and experienced automation users.
Yes. Users can work from pre-loaded general methods or create their own protocols. Methods can be easily edited, duplicated, or locked to protect validated workflows, supporting both flexibility and compliance.
The software includes pre-run checks at each step of method creation, including volume transfer limits, labware capacity checks, and collision or clearance checks. A 3D visual simulation allows users to preview deck layout and pipetting movements before execution, helping to identify potential issues in advance.
Yes. The software can track sample locations and transferred volumes and can generate run reports that support sample management and traceability. These reports can be exported and attached to electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) or other documentation systems.
Yes. The LHS supports data import and export in CSV and Excel (XLS/XLSX) formats. Plate maps, sample identifiers, and volume tables can be imported, and run results can be exported for use in LIMS or other systems that accept CSV or Excel files.
Yes. At the end of a run, the system can export plate and tube results such as sample IDs and volumes in CSV or Excel formats for use with ELNs, plate readers, thermocyclers, and other analytical or documentation platforms.
Yes. Users can add new liquid ends (pipetting heads), accessories, and approved third-party modules as needs evolve. Custom adapters and labware definitions can also be incorporated without replacing the base system, extending system capability over time.
The LHS is designed to fit on a standard laboratory bench, with a hinged door that allows shelving above the unit.
- LHS base model
- Door closed: 23.43 in W × 19.09 in D × 20.87 in H
- Door open: 23.43 in W × 19.09 in D × 27.17 in H
- LHS Flow (with HEPA module)
- Door closed: 23.43 in W × 20.28 in D × 26.06 in H
- Door open: 23.43 in W × 20.28 in D × 27.17 in H
BRANDTECH recommends annual preventative maintenance, including system alignment checks and inspection and servicing of internal mechanisms. Systems with heavy use may benefit from shorter maintenance intervals to maintain optimal performance.
System alignment of the Liquid Handling Station is performed at a preventative maintenance visit, while the liquid ends (pipetting heads) can be factory-calibrated at BRAND GmbH + Co KG in an ISO 17025-accredited facility following ISO 23783 and ISO 8655 standards (as-found/as-left calibration certificates optional). IQ/OQ documentation and services for the Liquid Handling Station are available for an additional fee during system installation.
The LHS features a transparent, enclosed work area with a front access door. Motion automatically pauses when the door is opened and can be halted immediately via a front-panel switch. These safeguards help protect operators during setup and operation.
Collision and clearance checks during method building, operator prompts before execution, and tip-detection alerts help reduce the risk of spills, collisions, and incorrect loading. If an error occurs, run logs are available to support troubleshooting and root-cause analysis.
BRANDTECH offers 1-year and 2-year service contracts that cover preventative maintenance, system alignment and calibration of liquid ends (pipetting heads), replacement of standard wear parts, and software updates. These plans are designed to help maintain performance and uptime over the lifetime of the instrument.
Yes. Service contracts include new user training and BRANDTECH’s support team is available to answer questions about use cases, software features, liquid handling settings, and general troubleshooting. Users can contact Customer Service at 888-522-2728 or via the online contact form for additional assistance.
Get Started with the LHS!
From the bench to the breakthrough, BRANDTECH is here to help you work smarter and achieve consistent results. Contact us today.
