Robotic Lab Technical Specifications.pdf

Technical Specifications

Request for Information

Modular Autonomous Thin Film Robotic Laboratory

Overview

1.1. This specification describes the technical requirements for a robotic system integrating multiple instruments, designed to autonomously prepare libraries of solution-deposited thin films (10-100000 nm thick) on rigid substrate coupon samples with systematically varied discrete material and process parameters; these include, but are not limited to, thickness, film composition, casting solution concentration, casting conditions (e.g., spin speed), and thermal annealing conditions. This system will comprise multiple lockable, wheeled tables for transferring to different laboratories and experimental environments (e.g., synchrotron beamlines). The system is envisioned to include a single table comprising a primary robotic process station, additional interchangeable tables onto which ancillary process or characterization stations may be mounted, and a robot(s) for transferring samples from the primary station to ancillary stations or between ancillary stations. Ancillary stations will be interchangeable to enable flexible workflows that accommodate a wide range of experimental campaigns designed by users.

General Design

2.1 Footprint: The entire system should fit within a footprint no larger than 2.5 meters by 1.5 meters. The full height of all tables and associated instruments, peripheral and enclosures shall be less than 2.0 meters.

2.2 Tables: The system will comprise two tables:

2.2.1 Primary Table: A primary table designed for standard processing operations, including solution preparation, film deposition by both spin and blade casting, and thermal annealing

2.2.1 Ancillary Table: One ancillary table shall be included to support additional commercial and/or sample processing or characterization instruments. This table will serve as the template for future ancillary tables and must support third party robots.

2.3 Table Specifications: Tables must conform to the following characteristics:

2.3.1 Tabletops shall encompass square areas 2/3 to 1 meter (2-3 feet) per side.

2.3.2 The height of table working area shall be between 0.9 and 1.1 meters.

2.3.3 All tables should be mobile and interchangeable, with lockable wheels.

2.3.4 All tables should have the same tabletop area.

Center for Functional Nanomaterials

2.3.5 Excluding robots, table designs and component or material lists shall be provided in full so that tables may be fabricated by BNL employees or purchased through third parties.

2.3.6 All tables shall incorporate a pedestal “staging area” onto or into which samples may be placed for transfer to other tables. Staging areas may be pedestals whose top surfaces shall be flat and shall be able to accommodate no fewer than three samples, simultaneously. Alternatively, staging areas may be storage racks designed to hold larger quantities of samples.

2.3.7 All tables shall be able to support weights of at least 100 kg.

2.3.8 The working area (tabletop and above) shall be designed for full or partial enclosure. Fully enclosed working areas shall be able to sustain a slight positive pressure of pure nitrogen. Partial enclosure may include shields or windows on any side(s) and above the working area. Enclosures shall be installed or uninstalled by BSA personnel as needed.

2.4 Robots: The system must include at least two robots:

2.4.1 Primary process robot: One primary multi-axis (4+) robot for handling samples and solutions and conducting process operations on the primary table. This robot shall be able to pick up samples from and place them on or in the staging area for the primary table.

2.4.2 Transfer robots: At least one robot must be mounted per table for transferring samples between staging areas on adjacent tables. These robots must be able to pick up samples from and place them on or in staging areas on the table onto which they are mounted and staging areas on all adjoining tables.

2.4.3 Ancillary process robot: An additional robot shall be mounted on the ancillary table to pick up samples from staging area on the ancillary table and transfer them to process modules on the same table.

2.4.4 Dual purpose: At the discretion of the contractor, a single robot may serve as both the process robot and transfer robot on each table.

2.4.5 Safety: Robotic operation shall be programmable to limit force to 51 N and the velocity to 200 mm/s, with emergency stop triggered on detection of a collision with objects. An Emergency stop device must be easily reachable by anyone operating a robot during all tasks. In the event of power restoration after power outage, the system will not restart without an intentional full system reboot performed by a trained operator.

2.5 Peripherals:

2.5.1 Inclusion: The system will supply all peripherals, including but not limited to controllers, pumps, motors, racks, cartridges, stands, clamps, balances, and other auxiliary equipment that are required to execute experimental tasks meeting the specifications described in this document.

2.5.2 Compactness: All peripherals shall be contained within the area of the table. Peripherals may be mounted on, above or below the table as appropriate for the design.

Sample and Solution Handling

All robots shall be able to precisely and accurately position and handle samples and solutions, subject to the following specifications:

3.1 Sample Handling:

3.1.1 Sample size: The system must be able to handle samples with rectangular projected areas within the range of 10 mm to 25 mm on a side. Restrictions on sample length, area, and aspect ratio within this range may be accommodated based on discussion with the vendor.

3.1.2 Sample type and thickness: Samples should be rigid, between 200 and 800 micrometers thick.

Typical samples will be silicon or glass coupons; capabilities for handling thinner, flexible, or more brittle samples are preferred.

3.1.3 Temperature: Robots must be capable of sample pick up from and placement onto surfaces held at temperatures from room temperature (~20 °C) to 250 °C or higher.

3.2 Liquid Handling:

3.1.1 Dispense volume: The minimum and maximum liquid dispense volumes shall be less than 40 µL and greater than 500 µL, respectively.

3.1.2 Automation: All liquid handling operations shall incorporate automated pipette tip mounting and removal and automated vial capping and uncapping.

Software

4.1 Programming Interface: All provided robots and primary table operations must be programmable via an open and documented Python-based application programming interface (API). An integrated developer environment (IDE) that simulates the outcome of user-written scripts to avoid potential errors is preferred.

4.2 Interoperability: This API must enable interoperability with third-party robots and/or programmable third-party instruments (characterization or process tools) that have a Python-based API or an API with commands that can be executed through Python scripts. Communication protocols must allow orchestration of workflows involving both system-integrated instruments and third-party instruments with their own programming interface.

Primary Table Processes

The primary table must support the following instrumentation and capabilities:

5.1 Spin coater(s)

5.1.1 Number: At least one per system; two (or more) preferred.

5.1.2 Speeds: Capable of spin speeds from 50 to 5000 rpm. Maximum speeds higher than 5000 rpm are preferred. Must be capable of ramp rates from 1 to 5000 rpm/s or higher.

5.1.3 Sample clamping: Vacuum suction standard. Options for mechanical substrate clamping are preferred.

5.1.4 Dispense: Pipette dispense standard. Options for syringe pump dispense or sequential solution dispense are preferred.

5.1.5 Replacement and Upgradability: The instruments shall be replaceable or upgradable for incorporating in situ treatment options (e.g., ultraviolet light exposure).

5.2 Blade coater(s)

5.2.1 Number: At least one per system; two (or more) preferred.

5.2.2 Speeds: The velocity range shall be at least 1 to 50 mm/s. An extended velocity range from 0.1 mm/s or less to 100 mm/s or more is preferred.

5.2.3 Sample clamping: Vacuum suction standard. Options for mechanical substrate clamping are preferred.

5.2.4 Dispense: Pipette dispense standard.

5.2.5 Temperature: Temperature control from ambient to 100 °C or higher with 0.5 °C accuracy and precision.

5.2.6 Replacement and Upgradability: The instruments shall be replaceable or upgradable for incorporating options including but not limited to subambient temperature control and in situ treatment (e.g., ultraviolet light exposure).

5.2.7 Blade handling: All blade coating operations shall incorporate automated blade exchange, replacement, and/or cleaning.

5.3 Thermal Annealing Instruments

5.3.1 Number: At least four instruments per system.

5.3.2 Area: Annealing surface area shall be equal to or larger than 25 mm by 25 mm.

5.3.3 Temperature range: The programmable temperature range must be at least 30 – 250 °C.

Temperature control to less than 30 and more than 250 °C is preferred.

5.3.4 Temperature accuracy and precision: Temperature accuracy shall be within ± 0.5 °C, with precision within ± 0.1 °C of the setpoint.

5.3.5 Replacement and Upgradability: The instruments shall be replaceable or upgradable for incorporating future options (e.g., hooded gas flow).

5.4 Solution preparation

5.4.1 Number: Solution preparation shall be performed in an automated manner via dispensation of 5 or more different liquids or powders.

5.4.2 Resolution: Weight and/or volume resolution shall be sufficient to prepare solutions with 1% dissolved solids (or less) without prior dilution steps.

5.4.3 Agitation: To accelerate dissolution, solution vials shall be agitated by stirring or spinning at speeds of up to 500 rpm or higher; options for agitation by ultrasonic vibration are preferred.

5.5 Storage: The primary process table shall incorporate racks with encoded positions for at least 20 solution vials (8 mL or larger), 96 pipette tips (1 mL), and 100 substrates and samples. Sample storage racks may also serve a dual purpose as a staging area.

Miscellaneous Requirements and Options

6.1 Computer: The contractor shall describe the requirements for a computer capable of running software for instrument programming and operation. A computer configured to meet this requirement may be provided as an option.

6.2 Software Compatibility: Any software required for instrument programming, simulation, and operation shall be provided. This software shall be compatible with Windows 11 (or the present version or Windows) and copies of the software shall be made available to instrument users offline (i.e., when not immediately using the instrument). Necessary software updates, including upgrades for compatibility with newer operating systems, shall be provided without additional cost.

6.3 Installation and Training: Contractor shall be responsible for installation of all components and provision of all interconnecting power, communication, control and instrument cabling, and all liquid and gas piping, and tubing between components and to the supply points identified by BSA. Contractor shall provide documentation detailing all facility requirements prior to instrument delivery. Training no shorter than 1 day shall be provided to no fewer than two CFN staff members. This training will teach staff how to program and operate the system.

6.4 Consumables and Parts: The contractor shall guarantee availability of consumables and replacement parts necessary for continued operation of both instruments from the date of installation and acceptance.

6.5 Power: All instruments and peripheral electronics associated with the system shall be compatible with U.S. standard electrical wall sockets (110-120 VAC, 16A).

Questions

1. Can you provide a tool or system with specifications meeting or exceeding the request in this document?

2. If certain requirements cannot be met, please indicate what can be achieved and demonstrated.

3. Can you provide a price estimate for the system that would be provided based on questions 1 and

2?

4. Can you provide a site preparation guide?

5. What are the facility requirements for the instrument (temperature control, electricity, vibrational etc.)?

6. Can you estimate the total current or power draw of all components and peripherals included in the system?

7. Does the system or any instruments comprising it have electrical safety certification equivalent to a

U.S. NRTL? If not, has a comparable system ever been field certified at customer request?

8. Would the system be manufactured in the United States? If not, what is the country of origin of the product?

9. What kind of warranty or servicing plan products do you offer?’

10. Could you please share a list of similar tools (no less than 5) that the vendor has installed in

US/Worldwide research institution/facilities (specified in the list). Examples from U.S. national laboratories are preferred.