DMC Partners on Application to Improve COVID Testing Capacity

DMC is proud to be a part of a historic effort to improve COVID testing capacity. DMC is working with Boston-based Ginkgo Bioworks to support their efforts in setting up a new mass test processing lab.

Efficient COVID Testing

To meet the growing demand for coronavirus testing, Ginkgo Bioworks created an 18,000-square-foot facility capable of processing tens of thousands of tests daily. As described in an article by WBUR, plates containing test samples move along MagneMotion tracks throughout the facility. Fanuc robotic arms pick up the plates and place them on a variety of sophisticated test equipment, which will determine whether the sample is positive or negative. 

DMC's Expertise

DMC is working with Ginkgo to provide a complete automation solution for this important project—including system and equipment design, controls engineering, software development, project management, and more. DMC is pleased to have a large, dedicated team of engineers supporting this project in order to rapidly build and start up the system.

"We're excited to work on such an important application," said DMC Project Director Jon Carson. "We look forward to seeing it through to completion and having an impact on making coronavirus testing more efficient."

Photo credit: Jesse Costa/WBUR

About Ginkgo Bioworks

Headquartered in Boston, Ginkgo Bioworks uses the most advanced technology on the planet—biology—to grow better products. The company's cell programming platform is enabling the growth of biotechnology across diverse markets, from food to fragrance to pharmaceuticals. Ginkgo is also actively supporting a number of COVID-19 response efforts, including community testing, epidemiological tracing, vaccine development, and therapeutics discovery. 

The testing facility is expected to be running in early 2021.

Learn more about DMC's manufacturing automation expertise.