在准备、搬运和储存不同类型样本时，所用的标准容器是微孔板。微孔板是一种采用标准尺寸和基底的板，其中包含多个凹孔。因此，许多机器人系统都专门针对搬运微孔板及其中的样本进行设计。

在大多数情况下，样本的搬运和移动都是采用批处理过程。为了便于将样本从一个模块转移到另一个模块，同时允许在模块中进行随机取放，需要一种能够在整个过程中移动单个样本的方法。

其中，随机取放是为了能够以任意顺序执行要求的任意检测。针对这一需求，不同的制造商提供了多种临床实验室解决方案，可在分析前、分析中和分析后的过程中高效、无缝地传送和搬运样本。

Collecting, transporting and processing clinical samples is part of the pre-analytical process and is critical to obtaining reliable diagnostic results. Customised solutions for automated sample processing are available and help reduce errors and increase efficiency. The samples can be immediately forwarded to the various modules for the individual process steps, and they can be tracked throughout the entire process.

Equipped with the required knowledge of the basic process and functional solution, Festo is in a good position to provide intelligent subsystems (modules) for manipulating and preparing samples (identification via bar code, decapping and capping sample tubes, integrating pipetting technologies) so that these samples can be used in diagnostic and analytical processes.

To optimise the entire process – including transporting samples and handling microplates, containers, racks and consumables – a suitable combination of Cartesian and robotic handling technology can provide the required efficiency in the final functional solution.