Integra Automation Tips: GripTips Style – Standard, Filtered, and Conductive Options

Integra Biosciences offers a range of automated liquid handling platforms including VIAFLO, ASSIST PLUS, and VANTAGE systems. What makes Integra unique is their GripTips technology—a proprietary tip attachment mechanism that ensures secure sealing and consistent performance across all channels.

With options including conductive tips for liquid level detection, filtered tips for contamination control, and standard tips for routine workflows, how do you know which one is right for your application?

This guide will help you understand the differences and make an informed decision.

🔬 1. Understanding Integra GripTips Technology

GripTips are the proprietary tip attachment system used by Integra liquid handling platforms. Unlike universal tips that rely on friction fit, GripTips feature a unique design that ensures:

• Secure attachment – Tips lock firmly onto the pipetting head, preventing accidental ejection
• Consistent sealing – Each tip seals identically across all channels, ensuring well-to-well reproducibility
• Low ejection force – Easy tip ejection reduces wear on the instrument
• Compatibility – Works with VIAFLO, ASSIST PLUS, and VANTAGE systems

✅ Conductive GripTips

Conductive tips are manufactured from carbon-filled polypropylene, providing static dissipative properties that enable capacitive liquid level detection (LLD) in Integra systems. This is critical for assays requiring precise aspiration from variable liquid heights.

When to use conductive GripTips:

• Liquid level detection (LLD) applications – Any assay where the system needs to detect the liquid surface
• Variable volume workflows – When sample volumes vary between wells
• Low-volume pipetting – Improves accuracy for small volumes
• Automated cherry picking – When tips must detect different liquid heights

Advantages:

• Enables capacitive liquid level detection
• Prevents static charge buildup
• Essential for many automated protocols
• Available in 125μl, 300μl, and 1250μl volumes

Disadvantages:

• Higher cost than standard tips
• Not required for all applications

✅ Filtered GripTips

Filtered tips contain an aerosol barrier that prevents contamination of the pipetting head and cross-contamination between samples.

When to use filtered GripTips:

• PCR setup – Prevents aerosol cross-contamination of nucleic acids
• Infectious or pathogenic samples – Protects the instrument and operator
• Radioactive or toxic materials – Adds an extra layer of safety
• Precious or limited samples – Prevents sample loss due to contamination

Advantages:

• Prevents carryover contamination
• Protects the pipetting head from aerosols
• Ideal for sensitive molecular biology applications

Disadvantages:

• Higher cost than non-filtered tips
• Slightly increased pipetting force required

✅ Standard (Non-Conductive, Non-Filtered) GripTips

Standard tips are the economical choice for routine liquid handling where LLD and aerosol protection are not required.

When to use standard GripTips:

• Routine buffer and reagent dispensing
• High-volume applications – Where cost is a primary concern
• Assays without LLD requirements
• Method development and testing

Advantages:

• Most economical option
• Suitable for >70% of automation applications
• Available in all standard volumes

Disadvantages:

• No liquid level detection capability
• No aerosol barrier

📏 2. Volume Ranges and Applications

Volume	Tip Type Options	Typical Applications
12.5μl	Standard, Filtered	PCR setup, small volume dispensing, precious samples
125μl	Conductive, Filtered, Standard	General purpose, common volume for automated workflows
300μl	Conductive, Filtered, Standard	Mid-volume transfers, reagent additions
1250μl	Conductive, Filtered, Standard	Larger volume transfers, buffer dispensing, media preparation

📦 3. Packaging Options

✅ Racked (96 tips/rack)

• Ready-to-use, pre-racked GripTips
• Compatible with Integra systems without additional handling
• Standard packaging: 50 racks/case
• Ideal for laboratories with moderate to high throughput

✅ Bulk (Bagged) Tips

• Economical packaging for high-volume users
• Requires manual loading into empty racks
• Reduces plastic waste and cost per tip
• Ideal for laboratories with very high throughput

🧪 4. Quality and Certification

All Meticulab Integra-compatible GripTips are:

• Certified RNase/DNase free – Safe for molecular biology applications
• Non-pyrogenic – Suitable for cell culture and sensitive assays
• DNA free – No detectable DNA contamination
• Precision molded – Excellent sealing with GripTips technology
• Rigid quality control – Batch-to-batch consistency
• Autoclavable – Up to 121°C (for non-filtered tips)

📊 Quick Selection Guide

Application	Tip Type	Volume	Packaging
PCR setup with LLD	Conductive + Filtered	125μl	Racked
General liquid handling with LLD	Conductive	300μl	Racked or bulk
Infectious sample handling	Filtered	125μl or 300μl	Racked
Routine buffer dispensing	Standard	1250μl	Bulk
High-throughput screening	Conductive	300μl	Bulk
Method development	Standard	Various	Racked (small quantities)

⚠️ Important Compatibility Note

These tips are third-party manufactured and designed to be compatible with Integra liquid handling systems using GripTips technology. They are not original equipment, not affiliated with or endorsed by Integra Biosciences AG. For research use only (RUO). Not for clinical or diagnostic use.

❌ Common Mistakes When Choosing Integra GripTips

• Using universal tips with Integra systems – Universal tips are not compatible with GripTips technology and will not seal properly.
• Using standard tips for LLD applications – Liquid level detection will not work, causing crashes or inaccurate aspiration.
• Using non-filtered tips for PCR – Risk of cross-contamination and false results.
• Choosing the wrong volume – Using 1250μl tips for 10μl transfers reduces accuracy.
• Mixing tip types in critical assays – Inconsistent performance may affect results.

✅ Why Choose Meticulab for Integra GripTips?

At Meticulab, we supply high-quality Integra-compatible GripTips for research and laboratory applications (RUO):

• All tip types available – Standard, filtered, and conductive in 12.5μl, 125μl, 300μl, and 1250μl
• GripTips compatible – Designed for use with Integra VIAFLO, ASSIST PLUS, and VANTAGE systems
• Racked or bulk packaging – Choose what fits your workflow
• Certified clean – RNase/DNase free, non-pyrogenic, DNA free
• Precision molded – Excellent sealing with GripTips technology
• Sterile options available – Gamma irradiated upon request
• Fast dispatch from Asia – In-stock items ship within 1-3 days
• Low MOQ – 1 rack available for testing

Explore our product pages:

• Compatible Tips for Integra Liquid Handling Systems
• All Automation Tips (Tecan, Hamilton, Beckman, Agilent, Integra)

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are these tips compatible with Integra VIAFLO pipettes?
A: Yes, our GripTips are designed for compatibility with all Integra systems using GripTips technology, including VIAFLO, ASSIST PLUS, and VANTAGE.

Q: What is the difference between GripTips and universal tips?
A: GripTips feature a unique attachment mechanism that locks securely onto Integra pipetting heads. Universal tips rely on friction fit and are not compatible with Integra systems.

Q: Can I use standard tips if my protocol doesn't use LLD?
A: Yes, standard tips are perfectly suitable for applications where liquid level detection is not required.

Q: Do you offer sterile tips?
A: Yes, sterile options (gamma irradiated) are available upon request. Please specify when ordering.

Q: What is the minimum order quantity?
A: 1 rack is available for testing. Volume discounts available for bulk orders.