dragonfly® discovery - Liquid Dispensing System
About the available units:
- over 50% cheaper than manufacturer
- last few units available some brand new, some just tested
- full or part annual maintenance contract be purchased directly from manufacturer, as the items are new
- welcomed to inspect before buying
- worldwide shipping (items come in original crate for sea or air freight)
(international buyers, please contact for accurate shipping quote)
The dragonfly® discovery by SPT Labtech is a cutting-edge liquid handling instrument designed to provide reliable, low-volume dispensing for a broad spectrum of applications in the life sciences. It excels in molecular biology, genomics, biochemical assays, and cell-based experiments, offering unmatched precision and flexibility.
This system is engineered to eliminate common challenges associated with liquid handling, such as clogged nozzles or high maintenance requirements. By employing positive displacement technology, the dragonfly discovery ensures precise dispensing of liquids across a range of viscosities, making it suitable for nearly any reagent type—from aqueous buffers to viscous compounds like basal membrane extracts and DMSO.
With dispense volumes ranging from 200 nanoliters (nL) to 4 milliliters (mL), the dragonfly discovery supports various assay formats, including 96-, 384-, and 1,536-well plates, deep well blocks, and racked tubes. It allows for both low and high throughput workflows, ensuring reproducible, accurate results for every experiment.
Key Features and Benefits:
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Unmatched Dispense Range:
- The dragonfly discovery offers a broad dynamic range, dispensing volumes from as little as 200 nL to 4 mL, all from a single syringe type. This range ensures versatility across a multitude of applications, from high-volume bulk dispensing to low-volume, precise assays.
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Exceptional Accuracy and Precision:
- It delivers <5% error at 1 μL with <5% coefficient of variation (CV), ensuring superior data integrity and reducing experimental variability.
- Reliable and consistent across all dispense heads with minimal head-to-head variation (<5% CV).
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Positive Displacement Technology:
- The system utilizes positive displacement syringes, which prevent clogging and cross-contamination. This technology eliminates the need for calibration and cleaning, making it a maintenance-free solution for labs.
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Optimized for High Throughput Screening (HTS):
- With an autofeed reservoir module, the dragonfly discovery can easily manage high-volume dispensing tasks. Fill a 96- or 384-well plate in as little as 30 seconds, and complete 1,536-well plates in under 90 seconds, making it an ideal tool for high throughput workflows.
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Ultra-Low Dead Volumes for Maximum Reagent Efficiency:
- The system minimizes reagent wastage with recoverable dead volumes as low as 30 μL or 200 μL, depending on the reservoir type. This feature is essential for conserving precious and costly reagents in large-scale experiments.
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Flexible Modular Design:
- Configurable to suit your specific lab needs, with options 6 independent positive displacement heads. These heads can work synchronously to increase throughput or independently to handle different reagents in parallel.
- The autofeed reservoir module enables extended walk-away time and increases capacity for bulk filling tasks.
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Versatile Application Across Liquid Classes:
- Compatible with virtually any liquid class, from PCR mastermixes, aqueous buffers, to viscous liquids, ensuring high reproducibility and reliability across diverse assay conditions.
- Supports cell- and bead-based assays, ensuring excellent performance even with challenging reagent types.
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No Maintenance Required:
- dragonfly discovery is ready to use right out of the box, with no daily calibration or cleaning needed, allowing for rapid setup and minimal instrument downtime. This translates to more time spent on scientific tasks such as data analysis and experimental planning.
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Customizable for Assay Development:
- Designed with the flexibility to support assay miniaturization and automation, it allows scientists to increase throughput, standardize workflows, and reduce costs. The assay development software simplifies the creation of complex concentration gradients and supports multi-point reagent addition.
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User-Friendly Software:
- The included dragonfly designer software is intuitive and designed with assay development scientists in mind. It offers easy setup of multi-concentration gradients, calculation of well dispense volumes, and output as open-source CSV files for smooth integration into broader experimental workflows.
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Integration-Ready for Laboratory Automation:
- dragonfly discovery can be integrated into any SBS plate format and is automation-friendly. With a documented API, it can be easily linked to 3rd-party instruments such as robotic plate handlers and stackers, enabling walk-away operations for extended high-throughput projects.
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High Versatility Across Applications:
- Whether working in genomics with sensitive PCR plates or filling deep well blocks for large-scale biochemical assays, this system is built to handle the demands of modern laboratories with speed and accuracy.
Technical Specifications:
- Dispense Volume Range: 200 nL – 4 mL
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Dispense Speed:
- 96- or 384-well plates: 30 seconds per plate
- 1,536-well plates: 90 seconds per plate
- Dead Volume: 30 or 200 µL recoverable, depending on reservoir type
- Plate Formats: Compatible with 96-, 384-, and 1,536-well microplates, deep well blocks, and racked tubes (up to 45 mm height).
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 600 mm x 433 mm x 635.5 mm (23.6 in x 17 in x 25 in)
- Weight: 46 kg (101.4 lbs)
- Additional Features: PCR plate adapter, chilled reservoir blocks, incubation stage lid for enhanced versatility.
Key Applications:
- Molecular Biology & Genomics: Highly controlled dispensing into 96- or 384-well PCR plates, optimized for sensitive assays.
- Biochemical Assays: Efficient dispensing for a wide range of reagents, ensuring reproducible, high-quality results.
- Cell- and Bead-Based Assays: Suitable for complex workflows, providing flexibility for a variety of sample types, including cells and viscous materials.
- High Throughput Screening (HTS): Supports high-density plate formats and seamless integration into automation workflows, making it ideal for large-scale screening and drug discovery projects.
Conclusion:
The dragonfly® discovery by SPT Labtech is revolutionizing liquid handling with its unique combination of precision, flexibility, and ease of use. It is a must-have for laboratories that demand reliable, low-volume dispensing across a broad range of applications, from molecular biology to high throughput drug discovery.
This instrument not only maximizes the efficiency of assays but also minimizes reagent wastage and experimental downtime, making it a cost-effective, user-friendly solution for modern scientific research.