Skip to content

Unboxing and Assembly

Congratulations! Your OT-2 has arrived and you've prepared a space for it in your lab. The information in this section provides instructions that walk you through the steps required to get the OT-2 unboxed, assembled, and ready for use.

Effort and time required

You'll need to budget about 30 minutes to an hour to setup your new OT-2. Before you begin, ask a lab partner to assist with the unboxing, lifting, moving, and assembly process.

Assembly instructions

  1. Remove the top foam padding and window panels. Also remove the power cable box from the foam, if present. image shows padding removal

  2. Carefully cut open the blue plastic shipping bag. Be sure to avoid cutting any machine components inside. cutting the shipping bag

  3. Pull upwards using the black steel frame to remove the robot from the shipping bag and box. The OT-2 weighs about 42 kg (93 lbs). Get help from a lab partner to remove the robot from the box. lifting points on frame

  4. Place the robot on a secure and stable surface. robot shown on a workbench

  5. Cut the zip ties supporting the customer kit and place the kit aside. cut zip ties image

  6. Pull the remaining zip tie ends and remove completely from the deck. remove zip ties image

  7. Remove the tape from the calibration switch cover. remove tape from switch cover

  8. Remove the plastic calibration switch cover. remove calibration switch cover

  9. Put the trash bin in place. trash bin placement

  10. Use a 3 mm hex screwdriver to remove the red transport bracket screws, and then remove the brackets. removing transport brackets

  11. Remove the protective film from the window panels. removing the window protective film

  12. Install the top window panel. Use the provided 2.5 mm hex screwdriver and 4 top window screws to fasten the top window panel to the robot.

installing top window panel fastening top window panel to frame

  1. Install the window covers. installing window covers

Post-assembly checklist

At this point you should have an assembled robot, but it isn't time to power it up and start running protocols, at least not yet. There are a few more items to work through first.

  1. Perform the following assembly check:

    • Confirm that 3 transport fasteners have been removed, as powering on the robot with these brackets attached can damage the robot.
    • Confirm that you are not missing any required cables or parts. If you are missing components, contact Customer Support.
    • Visually check the deck and windows; if there are any significantly scratched, broken, or bent components, contact Customer Support.
    • Visually check the gantry; if it is uneven or slanted, contact Customer Support.
    • Move the pipette head in the x and y direction; if it makes any loud/abnormal noises or is difficult to move, contact Customer Support.

  2. Clean and sanitize the robot. REMINDER: LINK TO CLEANING SECTION HERE

    Note

    When during cleaning or other maintenance, be sure to turn off the machine and disconnect the power before proceeding. Also, pay attention to any warning labels as you work.

Final steps and power on

  1. Download and install the Opentrons App, which is available at https://opentrons.com/ot-app.

  2. Connect the Ethernet cable to the OT-2 and laptop. If your computer does not have an Ethernet port, use the provided Ethernet-to-USB dongle. laptop USB-Ethernet connection

  3. Connect the external power supply to the OT-2 and then connect the main power cable to a wall outlet. external power supply connection

  4. Turn on the power by pressing the power button on the OT-2. It may take up to 45 seconds before the OT-2 starts running. After starting up, the robot will move the gantry to its home position.

At this point your OT-2 is ready for use. You can attach pipettes to the gantry, add modules to the deck, and create protocols in for the robot using the Opentrons App.