# Waterloo researchers demonstrate motor-free sample flipping for lab robots

_Published Friday, November 6, 2026 at 4:19 AM EST · Robotics · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![Waterloo researchers demonstrate motor-free sample flipping for lab robots — Primary](https://bioengineer.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/stackrss-featured-1290.jpg)

University of Waterloo engineers demonstrated a module made with CAD $7.34 in materials that lets an Opentrons OT-2 liquid handler pick up, flip and replace delicate contact lens samples without an added motor. The researchers report the work in HardwareX.

A rack and pinion converts the robot's linear movement into 180-degree rotation. The demonstration ran continuously for 144 minutes, completing 48 successful transfers and manipulations across two lens types.

The module rotates about one axis at a time. Heavier or bulkier samples can destabilize the friction fit between the pipette and its adapter.

## Sources

- [BIOENGINEER](https://bioengineer.org/7-3d-printed-rack-and-pinion-module-gives-lab-gantry-robots-a-flip-hand/)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/pg5yqFLlSzj6pZxSFfrYBg
Published: 2026-11-06T09:19:16.800Z
Story chronology: 2026-11-06T08:41:09.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-11-06T23:13:22.533Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)