AP-1 PrintStation

Revolutionising tube labelling

AP-1 PrintStation

The AP-1 PrintStation 6 takes direct-to-tube UV printing to the next level, combining the proven AP-1Tube Printer with intelligent robotics, data-driven labelling and true walk-away automation. Designed forplastic and glass tubes and vials, it replaces adhesive and laser marked labels with durable, abrasion- andchemical-resistant UV printing.

Using an integrated 6-axis COBOT, six LED-lit SBS rack positions, touchscreen control and a built-in camera, PrintStation 6 enables user-configurable automated workflows by reading 2D coded tubes, linking to CSV or LIMS data, printing barcode and human-readable ID information while intelligently handling tube placement or reformatting between racks as required. Purpose-built for biobanking, sample management and high-throughput automated workflows.

Adhesive labelling is a thing of the past

UV ink technology

High-contrast dual-colour print system

6 LED-lit SBS rack positions

With live tube and rack status indication

COBOT tube picker

With intelligent tube handling

Integrated Vision System

Reads 2D coded tubes and handles position/verification

Touchscreen user interface

Full hardware set-up, control and custom label design

Agnostic design

Handles and prints onto plastic and glass tubes & vials

Feature	What It Delivers
Direct-to-Tube UV Printing	Label-free, high-resolution UV printing directly onto tubes. Durable, abrasion- and chemical-resistant markings designed for long-term storage and sample identification.
Six LED-Lit SBS Rack Positions	Colour-coded statuses per rack for fast visual and retrievable feedback aiding true walk-away operation.
Integrated Camera	Scans 2D barcoded tubes and links them to CSV or LIMS data to enable accurate, error-free, data-driven labelling.
6-Axis COBOT Tube Picker	Safe, force-limited robot with collision detection, enabling intelligent tube handling, error detection, and reliable pick-and-place operation without the need for safety guarding (optional).
Live Tube Status & Tracking	Real-time visibility of each tube’s progress with clear status indicators and reporting.
Touchscreen User Interface	Simple and intuitive setup of hardware, labware (tube and rack), label design and user-defined workflows.

Ink Economy

The AP-1 PrintStation 6 is designed for excellent inkeconomy, delivering low operating costs across a widerange of tube sizes and label designs. A single inkcartridge can print in excess of 10,000 tubes, dependingon label content and format. Printing in one colour,such as on tubes with pre-existing writable patches,increases output by around 30%, reduces cost perprint and shortens cycle time.

Beyond Labelling

The PrintStation 6 can also reformat tubes between racks, either independently or as part of a printing workflow—ideal for consolidation, sorting or downstream automation.

Throughput & Performance

• Supports 6× SBS racks simultaneously
• Typical formats: 24, 48 or 96 tubes per rack
• Minimum capacity: 36 × 50 mL Falcon tubes (6 per rack)
• Maximum capacity: 576 × 0.5 mL tubes (96 per rack)

‍Typical cycle time:~30 seconds per tube (including pick, scan, print, UV cure, replace)