The plate measuring tool with one plate.

Measuring plate heights

Learn how to measure plate heights with the plate measuring tool

How to measure plate heights

The WELLJET dispenser stacker allows microplates to be stored, dispensed into, then re-stacked. If plates are lidded, the lids are held in the tower, and re-attached after each dispensing step. To ensure a reliable process, use the plate measuring tool to determine the necessary heights in mm.

WELLJET Plate measuring tool for measuring plate heights 5412
The plate measuring tool features a convenient measuring block and scale bar.

On a planar surface, put the measuring block (a) on the short side of the plate(s). Attach the scale bar (b) and read off the height where the “0” on the measuring block points to the scale bar, e.g. 27 mm in the example shown. Read the first decimal point where the decimal line of the measuring block exactly matches up to a line on the scale bar, e.g. 0.5 mm. The height in the example shown is 27.5 mm.

A close up of the scale bar, showing the 27 mm and 0.5 mm marks used in the above example.
A close up of the scale bar, showing the 27 mm and 0.5 mm marks used in the above example.

Determine the following heights for reliable processing of plates with the stacker:

Plates without lids:
H: Height of one plate
H2: Total height of two plates

plates-without-lids

Lidded plates:
H: Height of one plate without lid
F: Flank, the distance between the top edges of the plate and the skirt
T: Total plate height with lid
T2: Total height of two plates with lid
L: Lid height including stacking rim
S: Skirt height: measure H and F, S = H - F

lidded-plates