Combining intelligent transport and workflow orchestration for adaptable lab automation
Biosero and Beckhoff bring together Green Button Go orchestration with Beckhoff’s XPlanar intelligent transport technology, TwinCAT automation software, and EtherCAT networking to support flexible, high-throughput lab automation. Together, these technologies help labs coordinate instruments, robots, movers, and workflow logic in compact, modular systems designed for gentle handling, repeatable execution, and scalable automation.
Partnership overview
Biosero works with Beckhoff to support advanced lab automation systems where precise sample transport, flexible workcell design, and reliable orchestration are critical. Beckhoff’s XPlanar technology provides magnetically levitating movers for low-agitation transport, while TwinCAT and EtherCAT support deterministic automation and control architecture. Green Button Go integrates these systems into the broader laboratory workflow by coordinating scheduling, device communication, and execution across connected instruments and systems.
Together, the partnership helps labs:
- Connect best-in-class technologies without being limited to a single-vendor ecosystem
- Coordinate transport, instruments, and robotics through Green Button Go orchestration
- Design modular systems that can evolve as assays, instruments and throughput requirements change
- Reduce integration complexity through close collaboration between Biosero and Beckhoff engineering teams
- Scale automation over time without requiring a complete system redesign
Joint solutions
- XPlanar-enabled sample transport: Beckhoff’s XPlanar technology uses magnetically levitating movers that can move plates and carriers across motor tiles with smooth, low-agitation motion. In Biosero-enabled workflows, this supports gentle transport between instruments, robots, and workcell stations.
- Orchestrated workcells with Green Button Go: Green Button Go coordinates workflow logic, hardware execution, device communication, data connectivity, and ongoing support within a single modular system. This allows Beckhoff-enabled transport systems, instruments, and robots to operate as one coordinated laboratory workflow.
- PC-based control with TwinCAT and EtherCAT: TwinCAT provides an automation engineering and runtime environment where XPlanar, PLC, motion control, and safety functions can coexist in one platform. EtherCAT provides low-latency communication, diagnostics, and flexibility for distributed I/O as systems scale.
- Modular automation for changing workflows: Biosero uses modular workcells linked by XPlanar lanes and orchestrated by Green Button Go. This supports reconfiguration for new assays or plate formats through software-driven changes rather than major mechanical and electrical redesigns.
- Developer-friendly integration: Biosero’s engineering team benefits from TwinCAT’s integration with Microsoft Visual Studio, including familiar development practices and Git integrations. This supports faster engineering iteration and clearer traceability in regulated environments.
Outcomes & benefits
Biosero and Beckhoff’s work together supports lab automation architectures that are gentle on samples, adaptable to changing workflows, and easier to scale across instruments. Benefits include smoother transport, reduced disruption to sensitive samples, faster changeovers, standardized control templates, and improved troubleshooting through Beckhoff’s automation platform and diagnostics.
Partner testimonial
"In support of Biosero, Beckhoff has implemented an intelligent transportation system using XPlanar that directly integrates with Green Button Go scheduling software. XPlanar is controlled with standard TwinCAT 3 automation software, which integrates fully into Microsoft Visual Studio. This is what makes integration with Biosero’s Green Button Go possible. EtherCAT is high-performance fieldbus in the application, which lets Biosero scale the XPlanar transportation deck to accommodate larger and smaller workcell formats as needed. Multiple XPlanar-enabled workcells and production lines can be managed by the scalable control solution based on TwinCAT and EtherCAT."
— Charles Usher, Regional Sales Engineer, Beckhoff USA
Photos and video content produced in collaboration with Beckhoff Automation.