Equipment List
Certain tools and supplies are required for using the NE-CAT Robot. This section details the tools, cryopucks, bases and pins acceptable for use on the Robot.
Puck Set and Tools
Starting in 2027, only Uni-Pucks will be supported at NE-CAT. Currently, ALS-Style pucks and Uni-pucks can be used on 24-ID-E. If you do not have Uni-Pucks, you may borrow a set through our Puck Loan Program. If you are purchasing new Uni-Pucks, you should choose the free option to have barcodes etched onto the pucks.
Pucks and Tools can be obtained directly from Crystal Positioning Systems or through MiTeGen.
| Qty. | Part # | Item | Price/Each (USD) | |
| 1 | CP-111-030 | Bent Cryo Tong | 130 | 130 |
| 1 | CP-111-027 | Puck Dewar Loading Tool aka Puck Pusher | 175 | 175 |
| 1 | CP-111-026 | Puck Wand | 150 | 150 |
| 7 | CP-111-021 | Universal V1-Puck | 425 | 2975 |
| 1 | CP-111-029 | Shelved Puck Shipping Cane* (ALS-Style) | 1250 | 1250 |
| 1 | CP-111-028 | Puck Separator Tools (aka Puck Separator and Base Support) | 350 | 350 |
| Total | 5030 | |||
We recommend the shelved puck shipping cane as the uni-puck shipping cane and clip is weak and allows movement of pucks which can lead to dewar breakage during transit.
Uni-Puck
Tools
Bases
Starting in 2027, NE-CAT will only support 18mm sample pins mounted on SPINE bases. We recommend Hampton Research SPINE HT, MiTeGen SPINE or Molecular Dimensions CryoCaps. Currently, 24-ID-E will accept ALS-style bases in addition to SPINE bases. Staff will not attempt to recover samples on unsupported bases.
SSRL bases are not compatible with the NE-CAT automounter. CrystalCap Copper Magnetic and the original CrystalCap Magnetic Bases (such as the ones used with SSRL-style robots) do not work with the automounter. Original CrystalCap magnetic bases feature a flat ledge. Collision between the ledge and the gripper prevents the gripper from grabbing the base, resulting in a failure to mount and/or dis-mount the sample. Yale pins and non-magnetic screw cap bases will not work with the automounter.
Pins
All pins for the NE-CAT Automounter must be 18mm in length. We do not support copper pins. You may use pins and loops from Hampton Research, Molecular Dimensions Ltd., or MiTeGen.
Pins from Molecular Dimensions and MiTeGen are a fixed length. Hampton Research sells both a fixed length and loops mounted on pins with ‘easy snap notches’ for an adjustable length. If you are using an adjustable Hampton pin, 18mm corresponds to breaking off the two end segments of a Hampton pin.
