New Software for the STAR Line: VENUS one

New Super Simple Method set-up. New Action editor for graphical method definition. Achieve your results - faster and easier.

Hamilton Robotics announces release of its new MicroLab^® STAR VENUS one software.

Hamilton's popular MicroLab®  STARlet, STAR and STARplus automated pipetting workstations are now easier than ever to run with VENUS one, the next generation in ‘smart yet simple’ instrument control software. Designed around the daily needs of researchers in today’s busy labs, VENUS one offers a more intuitive and practical approach to STAR workstation programming, making it easy to learn and even easier to use. VENUS one offers several novel editing modules for fast and straightforward programming. One example for this is the SuperSimpleMethod, providing users with a quick set-up for common pipetting routines.  Creating your method can be as simple as: 1) choose the pipetting task (Copy plates / AddLiquid / MergePlate) 2) select the number of plates to process; 3) choose liquid and volume; 4) load your carriers guided by the method; and 5) hit Go and VENUS does the rest!  VENUS one software also delivers a host of new user-friendly tools and advanced features for even more power, flexibility and ease-of-use.  Templates offer pre-programmed method skeletons for common tasks, easily customizeable and ready to run.  And, of course, VENUS ONE requires no tedious position teaching, allowing for computer-optimized movements and fast assay processing.  The primary motivation for developing VENUS one was to make control of the STAR easier than ever.  With over 2000 STAR installations worldwide, we received valuable customer feedback and focused on how to best enhance the user-workstation interface, thereby shortening the learning curve, reducing training time, and minimizing requirements for user intervention.  This will allow researchers using VENUS one to achieve results easier, faster and with more efficiency.

VENUS one also features a new Action Editor, a highly intuitive user interface to quickly structure a method.  Simple ‘drag & drop’ icons are used to build a graphic method, both editable in the Action or the Step Editor.  It comes with a clear, precise and dynamic progress bar.

Additional key customer-centric features include advanced 3-D visualization for outstanding graphical representation of the deck layout; more options for customized data output, Favorites Toolbox for rapid access to often used programming steps, expanded error handling options, cLLD (liquid level detection) memory for higher speed pipetting operations, streamlined control of 3rd party components (ie barcode reader), and additional support for control of new Hamilton hardware (ie camera, tube gripper).  Not to forget power users, Hamilton also added more flexibility for sample tracking, unique barcode check, easier database linking and worklist importing, and capabilities for stacking of plate/tip racks. As with all Hamilton software, VENUS one carries on with the tradition of superior error code handling and response as well as intelligible error code explanations understandable by the common human being. The MicroLab® STAR VENUS one instrument control software will help get the most out of your STAR workstation and is ideal for new, intermediate and advanced users.

Since its inception over 50 years ago, Hamilton has been recognized as a world leader in precision liquid handling. From its earliest glass barreled syringes, to its most advanced robotic systems, Hamilton products have set the standard for excellence. With the addition of the MicroLab® VENUS one software, Hamilton continues to strengthen its leadership position in the liquid handling industry.

For additional information on the MicroLab® STAR VENUS one instrument control software, please visit  HAMILTON VENUS ONE liquid handling software, e-mail sales@hamiltoncompany.com

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