Improving efficiency

Setting up and conducting immunoassays can be a time consuming process. However, the intuitive GUI and layout of features makes it simple to adopt the Axela dotLab MX System to a variety of immunoassaying workflows so that researchers can focus on what really matters. The system has been created with cost in mind with a design that reduces the cost per assay. Combined with Axela’s proprietary optics technology, the result is a truly innovative product that stands out from the competition.

Planning the Road Ahead

Kangaroo took on the industrial and mechanical design leaving Axela to focus on the product`s core IP development. The first step was a design strategy to identify the aesthetic direction and consumer requirements that would ensure that the entry product properly represented Axela’s emerging brand. The design would need to facilitate positive market acceptance and sensible production costs. This revealed the clear Industrial Design approach that focused on the coherence of the scientific process layout, ease of use, and clearly defined aesthetics that differentiate and yet are appropriate for the lab environment. The initial research looked at various aspects of the product including ergonomic constrains, potential environments, the existing market place through to possible design inspirations. The resulting design strategy outlined the outcome of the initial design strategy sessions that are intended to identify the core objective of the company, market strategy and customer requirements.

Turning Strategy into Reality

The design effort was focused aesthetics as well as usability and accessibility through multiple iterations of usability prototypes. The engineering team took on the mechanical conceptualization for tube containment with a moving arm, then revising to meet the changing mechanical requirements of the instrument. The finished design contained a complete robotic motion auto lifter system. By the end of this phase refined CAD files were ready to be sent out for both prototype and production.

Kangaroo acted as the liaison between multiple vendors to create cost effective and timely prototypes for the first few units. The design for the internal chassis was fabricated overseas and plastic components were CNC machined in Asia.

With the prototype complete, T1 and T2 components were soon to follow, with minor adjustments to some of the smaller mechanical components to optimize the plastics, and mechanical features. At the completion of the project, Kangaroo was able to provide continuing support to both Axela in the transition to production and assembly to their preferred manufacturing partner.