In the Field of Sustainable Science
In the Field of Sustainable Science
The AP-1 Automated Tube Printer is the ultimate solution for direct labelling onto plastic or glass sample collection and storage tubes & vials. Agnostically designed for seamless integration and high-performance dual-colour printing, maximising productivity and minimising downtime. The AP-1 simplifies automated labelling workflows with precision, durability, and adaptability. With AP-1, adhesive labelling is a thing of the past.
The AP-1 Automated Tube Printer is an affordable benchtop printer, featuring a cutting-edge dual-head UV ink printing system. Designed for printing durable and high-quality labels directly onto the side of tubes and caps. This system incorporates three key components—surface cleaning module, dual printheads, and a UV curing module—all fully configurable through the printer’s intuitive software or remotely via API.
The dual-head UV ink printing system allows the user to create high-contrast labels for barcoding applications. Offering unparalleled and superior performance to existing tube labellers and markers already present on the market. The AP-1's background printhead applies a high-contrast base layer directly onto the tube surface, while the content printhead adds clear and legible text, barcodes, and graphics. This intuitive design eliminates the need for expensive pre-barcoded tubes, providing the user flexibility to print text and barcodes unique to them and their application. For situations where a background is not required, the content printhead can be used independently, offering even greater versatility.
Users are able to fine-tune settings for individual labware and label requirements. These configurations can be saved within the software app for repeatable, optimized labelling workflows. The on-board printhead cleaning module automates maintenance when required, maintaining high-performance printing, while ensuring continued productivity and reduced downtime.
The AP-1 printer is designed with integrators in mind, offering robust and flexible tools to streamline the development of mid to high-throughput custom applications. To ensure effortless integration into your automated workflows, we provide:
C++ DLL: A powerful and lightweight library enabling direct control over the printer from native C++ applications
.NET Assembly: A fully featured library for developers working with C#, providing seamless integration into .NET applications
Web API: A modern, platform-independent interface, ideal for web-based or distributed systems requiring remote control of the printer
LIMS compatible: generate label content by calling data from external databases
Each solution is accompanied by comprehensive documentation and ready-to-use example projects, ensuring you can hit the ground running with your development. Whether you're building benchtop applications or integrating into complex automated systems, the AP-1 is the labeller to achieve this with.
The AP-1 is the ideal solution for:
Integrators seeking effortless system compatibility and streamlined implementation
Kit manufacturers, CROs and CMOs handling high-throughput labelling workflows
Biotech and Pharma companies requiring precise and durable labelling
Biobanks managing diverse sample collections
Academia needing versatile, affordable and user-friendly printing solutions
Owing to the agnostic design, the AP-1's dual-head UV ink printing system applies a high-contrast label directly onto a wide range of plastic or glass tubes available on the market. Unlike laser markers, which are limited to etching laser-compatible tube surfaces, often resulting in poor contrast on clear or lightly coloured tubes. The AP-1 creates consistently readable labels on-demand across various materials and textures. This flexibility eliminates the need for specialised tubes, reducing labware costs, while ensuring precise and durable labelling. Laser markers are expensive and often bulky, requiring more than just a power supply to work.
In contrast, sticky label printers are prone to operational issues. Labels can detach during automated workflows, causing instrument jams and costly downtime. Additionally, labels are vulnerable to manual or accidental removal, peeling over time, risking the loss of critical identity and traceability of samples. AP-1 eliminates the risk of label detachment or tampering, ensuring reliable, traceable identification throughout the entire sample lifecycle, even under demanding automation conditions.
· Surface Cleaning Module: Prepares the tube surface by enhancing ink adhesion, ensuring long-lasting, smudge-resistant labels once UV cured
· Two-Printhead Design:
Background Printhead applies a background to the content to be printed, enhancing legibility. Essential when printing barcode labels
Content Printhead applies text (all TrueType fonts), 2D & linear barcodes and graphics
· UV Curing Module: Rapidly cures the ink using UV light for immediate, durable results. Exposure time is configurable in the app
· Intuitive software for full hardware control and custom label creation, including data binding from imported CSV files
· Automated Print Delay for smooth printing of manual workflows. Detection of a tube triggers a print. Delay time configurable in the app.
· Wide tube compatibility: Handles tubes and vials from 0.5ml to 50ml, across various plastic resins and glass materials
· Works on surfaces with raised graduations or textured finishes
· Interchangeable magnetic tube adapters allow for fast and easy changes of tube types
· Easy-to-install tube adapters, ink cartridges and cleaning materials for hassle-free maintenance
· Ingenious onboard Printhead Cleaning and Protection Module reduces downtime due to maintenance
Dimensions(W x L x H): 450mm(W) X 645mm(D) X 470mm(H)
Weight: 13kg
Printhead resolution: 300dpi
Power supply: V in: 100~240VAC , 50/60Hz V out: DC24V/5.0A
Power consumption: 120W
Working temperature range: 15 ~ 30°C
Operating humidity (RH): 20 ~ 80%
Connection: USB port: USB 2.0 for Computer Connection; USB B-type for I/O
Communication: C++, C# & Web API
Q: What types of tubes and vials can the AP-1 print on?
A: The AP-1 supports a wide range of tubes and vials, from 0.5ml to 50ml, and is compatible with various plastic resins (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate) and glass. It also works on surfaces with raised graduations and textured finishes.
Q: Can the AP-1 integrate with existing automation systems?
A: Yes, the AP-1 supports integration via C++, C#, or web API protocols and works seamlessly with LIMS systems for automated label data generation.
Q: What kind of ink does the AP-1 use?
A: Inks are only available from Arvensis or approved Arvensis resellers.
The printer uses a UV curable ink system. The surface cleaning module primes the surface for enhanced ink adhesion, while UV light cures the ink for durable, long-lasting printed labels. A solvent ink may also be used where durability isn’t such a concern and speed is critical. In this instance cycle time can be reduced as UV curing isn’t needed and surface cleaning is optional.
Q: Is it possible to print barcodes on tubes?
A: Absolutely. The AP-1 can print both 2D and linear barcodes, as well as text (in all TrueType fonts) and graphics.
Q: How easy is it to change tube sizes?
A: The AP-1 features interchangeable magnetic tube adapters, making it quick and simple to switch between different tube types and sizes.
Q: How do I control the printer?
A: The AP-1 comes with advanced label design software that simplifies data binding with imported CSV files, giving users complete flexibility in label creation. For more advanced requirements, such as automated systems, the AP-1 can be controlled remotely via web API, C++ or C# communication.
Q: Does the AP-1 require routine maintenance?
A: The AP-1 performs at its best when the printer is in constant use. However, cleaning and maintenance of the printheads is only necessary immediately after the system has been in sleep mode or the printheads have been replaced. AP-1 detects whenever either of these things have been initiated and does the job for you. Furthermore, if you notice the print quality reduce over time, cleaning the printheads via the Clean Printhead command within the software app will restore this. From time to time, manual intervention may be needed, whereby the ink is removed, shaken and wiped with a lint free cloth.
Q: Why is direct labelling with the AP-1 better than using sticky labels?
A: Sticky labels often detach during automation workflows, leading to instrument jams and costly downtime. They can also be easily removed or peel over time, risking the loss of sample identity and traceability. The AP-1’s direct labelling system applies durable, smudge-resistant UV ink directly onto the tube surface, reducing the risk of detachment or tampering and ensuring reliable identification throughout the sample lifecycle.
Q: How does the AP-1 provide better label contrast than laser marking?
A: Laser markers require specialised, laser-compatible tube surfaces, which is costly and very limiting to the labware that can be used. Reading laser marked barcodes can be unreliable, often due to poor contrast on clear or lightly coloured tubes. The AP-1’s dual printhead design applies a high-contrast background layer and clear, legible content directly on top. This approach ensures excellent readability on clear or lightly coloured tubes. The content printhead can also be used alone when a background isn’t necessary.
AP-1 Automated Tube & Vial Printer
