Crystal Monitor™ Workstation

Automated Crystallization Imaging Workstation

Crystal Monitor™ Workstation is an automated stereomicroscope for high-throughput crystallography labs. It solves the crystallization experiment observation and annotation bottleneck by allowing researchers to capture digital images of crystallization set-ups as they annotate the result through speech recognition tools and ergonomic button actuation. The Crystal Monitor Workstation is a complete tool for attended or unattended observation and analysis of crystallization experiments,and can be coupled with CrysTEL plate hotels to capture up to 14,000 images in a single day with automatically scheduled observation sessions.

Hardware Features

High performance stereomicroscope Spot© Insight digital camera (4 megapixel) with Firewire interface Motorized focus and zoom Polarizable illumination Fiber optic cold light illumination

Software Features

Preinstalled formulation definitions for major commercial crystallization screens Extensive chemical database Definitions available for major crystallization plates Design tools for creating crystal growth matrices Unlimited stock solution defintitions Protein formulation definitions HTML reporting Pictographical reporting Slide show presentation of crystallization images Support for Windows® Bitmap (BMP), JPEG/JIFF, and PNG image formats Compatible with Windows® operating systems, Microsoft® SQL Server 2000 Fully networkable

Electrical Features

CE Certified 110/22/ VAC 60/50 Hz, 100VA max. output

Physical Parameters

Weight 200 lb. (45kg) Unit dimensions: height 29" (74cm), depth 28" (71cm), width 20" (51cm) 1 micron motor resolution XYT translational stage travel: depth 4" (10cm), width 6" (15cm)

Performance Features

Variable optical zoom up to 110x magnification Digital image capture up to 1600 x 1200 pixels

Improved Features for the Crystal Monitor™ Workstation

The Crystal Monitor Workstation has incorporated two new non-contact linear servo motors for rapid and precise positioning of crystal samples. The linear servo motors have a small profile and are designed for 24/7 quiet operation. The direct drive motor has been designed for optimum force, speed, and acceleration performance. A high precision non-contact linear encoder provides submicron resolutions ranging from 0.1 to 5 microns. Optical travel limit and home sensors are designed into the unit for easy adjustment over the entire travel of the table. Precision square rail bearings provide for load support. Also, cables are managed and neatly packaged inside the unit leaving no moving cables visible. The New workstation will utilize miniature pneumatic cylinders for soft clamping of the microplate samples.