The system crimps caps onto individually loaded vials under near-zero-oxygen conditions. Crimp caps are dispensed using a bowl feeder, marshalled and placed onto the manually loaded vial. The vial is purged with the connected inert gas and crimped in an inert chamber.

The system is used as a proof-of-principle for the University of Liverpool’s Laboratory of the Future project, investigating the possibilities of automated robots working alongside technicians in a laboratory environment. Controlled through a user interface or by RS232 command, the system can be operated by both a laboratory technician or a collaborative and automated robot arm.