--- title: Automated Imaging of Microtiter Plates description: Custom Automation - Automated Imaging of Microtiter Plates Fraunhofer USA CMI R&D Research Design --- [![cmi-usa](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/hubfs/cmi-usa.svg "cmi-usa")](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/?hsLang=en) [![subtext-2](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/hs-fs/hubfs/subtext-2.png?width=660&height=42&name=subtext-2.png "subtext-2")](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/?hsLang=en) - [Fraunhofer USA](http://www.fraunhofer.org) - [![](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/hs-fs/hubfs/boston_univ_rgb.gif?width=67&height=30&name=boston_univ_rgb.gif)](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/about-us/boston-university.html?hsLang=en) - [DOING BUSINESS WITH US](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/about-us/Doing-business-with-us.html?hsLang=en) - [PROJECTS](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/services/projects-our-work.html?hsLang=en) - [CAREERS](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/about-us/career.html?hsLang=en) - [About Us](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/about-us.html) - [Mission](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/about-us/Mission.html) - [Business Model](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/about-us/business-model.html) - [Leadership](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/about-us/leadership.html) - [Fraunhofer Network](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/about-us/fraunhofer-network.html) - [Boston University](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/about-us/boston-university.html) - [Facilities](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/about-us/Facilities.html) - [Careers](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/about-us/career.html) - [Services](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/services.html) - [Custom Automation Systems](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/services/custom-automation-systems.html) - [Energy Systems](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/services/energy-systems.html) - [Biomedical Instruments and Devices](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/services/biomedical-instruments-and-devices.html) - [Process Management and Consulting](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/services/process-management-and-consulting.html) - [Industries](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/Industries.html) - [Publications](https://www.fraunhofer.org/en/media/publications-and-annual-reports1.html) - [News](https://www.fraunhofer.org/en/media/press.html) - [Contact](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/contact.html) - [Services](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/services.html?hsLang=en) - [Custom Automation Systems](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/services/custom-automation-systems.html?hsLang=en) - [Custom Automation Work Examples](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/services/projects-our-work/custom-automation.html?hsLang=en) - Microtiter Plates # Automated Imaging of Microtiter Plates ## Custom Automated Microtiter Plate Loading / Unloading and Logging for Luminescent Image Analysis  ### ![CAPTION: © Fraunhofer USA ## Custom automated microtiter plate loading/unloading and logging for luminescent image analysis.](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/hs-fs/hubfs/1461264150222_luminescence-imagerloadernew-s.jpg?width=240&name=1461264150222_luminescence-imagerloadernew-s.jpg) ### Customer A large pharmaceutical company ### Objective In the field of drug discovery, assays must be custom automated to achieve the required high throughput analysis for screening new drug candidates. A large pharmaceutical company contracted Fraunhofer USA CMI to develop custom automation for the loading/unloading, handling, and data logging of microtiter plates into a commercial Luminescent Image Analyzer in order to increase the throughput of their screening assays. In addition, a primary design requirement necessitated a very small footprint to be compatible with the crowded and expensive laboratory environment. ### Technical Summary The unique custom automation system reduced the number of part "handoffs" thereby increasing reliability while reducing cycle time. The entire load/unload mechanism, including the storage magazine, were all attached to what became a new door on the imaging chamber. Microtiter plates are then picked up from the storage magazine using the integral load/unload mechanism. This mechanism also holds the plate during imaging, similar to a CD / DVD drive, thereby reducing the number of handoffs. The imaging results are logged by the control computer and a bar code reader helps ensure traceability and scheduling of hundreds of samples daily. ### Results - Capacity for 50 microtiter plates that can be replenished on the fly - Changeover time of less than 10 seconds - Two removable storage magazines for remote loading - Unattended operation - Simple retrofit to existing systems - Bar code reader reduces errors in identification and data collection - No increase in footprint ### Related Links - [Fiber Optic Gyroscope Winding](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/services/projects-our-work/custom-automation/fiber-optic-gyroscope-winding.html?hsLang=en) - [Continuous Wafer Production System](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/services/projects-our-work/custom-automation/continuous-wafer-production-system.html?hsLang=en) - [Interference Lithography System](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/services/projects-our-work/custom-automation/interference-lithography-system.html?hsLang=en) #### Work Examples Links - [**Custom Automation Examples**](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/services/projects-our-work/custom-automation.html?hsLang=en) - [**Energy Systems Examples**](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/services/projects-our-work/energy-systems.html?hsLang=en) - [**Biomedical Engineering Examples**](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/services/projects-our-work/biomedical.html?hsLang=en) - [**Process Management & Consulting Examples**](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/services/projects-our-work/process-management-and-consulting.html?hsLang=en) - QUICK LINKS - [Contact](http://www.cse.fraunhofer.org/contact) - [Fraunhofer USA](http://www.fraunhofer.org) - [Fraunhofer ISE](https://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/en.html) - [Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft](http://www.fraunhofer.de/en.html) - © 2026 - [Site map](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/sitemap.html?hsLang=en) - [CONTACT](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/contact.html?hsLang=en) - [Data Protection](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/en/data_protection.html?hsLang=en)