Adjustable Tip Spacing Pipettes: One Pipette, Multiple Labware Formats

Liquid handling in a modern lab rarely sticks to one format. A researcher might start with samples in tubes, move them into a PCR plate, then transfer them into a microplate for analysis, and finally work with an agarose gel—all in the same afternoon, all part of the same workflow. This is exactly the kind of scenario where an Adjustable Tip Spacing Pipette earns its keep.

Multichannel pipettes speed up repetitive transfers, but they come with a catch: fixed tip spacing. Once you’re locked into one spacing, you’re stuck with it—unless you reach for another pipette.

That’s the problem adjustable tip spacing technology solves. Instead of swapping instruments every time the labware changes, you can simply adjust the distance between tips to match whatever vessel you’re working with next. Fewer pipette changes, less friction, a smoother workflow overall.

What Is an Adjustable Tip Spacing Pipette?

Put simply, it’s a multichannel pipette where you can change the spacing between tips depending on what labware you’re using.

Standard multichannel pipettes are built around one fixed spacing. That’s fine as long as you’re moving between compatible labware—say, one 96-well plate to another. But real workflows aren’t always that tidy. Tubes, PCR strips, different plate formats, gels—these all have different spacing requirements, and a fixed-spacing pipette simply can’t keep up.

An adjustable spacing pipette gets around this by letting you dial in the spacing you need, without giving up the ability to handle multiple samples at once. Depending on the model, this can mean working across 12-, 24-, 48-, 96-, and 384-well plates, plus tubes, PCR strips, reservoirs, and gels—all with the same tool.

Why Does This Actually Matter?

Picture this: you’re transferring eight samples from a tube rack into a 96-well plate. A regular multichannel pipette handles that just fine.

But now those samples need to go from the plate into a format with different spacing. Suddenly your pipette doesn’t fit anymore.

Normally, you’d either grab a different multichannel pipette or fall back on a single-channel one and do the transfer sample by sample. Neither option is ideal—both just add steps you didn’t need.

An adjustable spacing pipette skips that problem entirely. Same pipette, new configuration, done. That flexibility really pays off in workflows where samples are constantly moving between different vessels.

From Tubes to Plates, No Pipette Swaps Required

Here’s a typical path a sample might take:

Sample tubes → PCR plate → 96-well plate → agarose gel

With fixed-spacing pipettes, each step in that chain might mean reaching for a different tool. With adjustable spacing, you just reconfigure the tips to match the next destination and keep moving—still transferring multiple samples at once, still getting the speed benefits of a multichannel pipette, just without the constant instrument changes.

Key Applications of Adjustable Tip Spacing Pipettes

Adjustable spacing technology can support a wide range of laboratory workflows.

1. PCR & qPCR

PCR workflows frequently involve transferring samples and reagents between tubes, strips, and microplates.

Adjustable tip spacing can make these transfers more convenient by allowing the pipette to accommodate different vessel arrangements while maintaining multichannel operation.

2. Cell Culture & Cell-Based Assays

Cell culture workflows can involve different vessel formats, including multiwell plates and other culture vessels.

When samples need to be transferred between formats, adjustable spacing provides greater flexibility while reducing the need for repeated single-channel transfers.

3. ELISA & Immunoassays

ELISA workflows often involve repetitive transfers across microplates.

A multichannel pipette already improves throughput, while adjustable spacing can add flexibility when different plate formats or vessel configurations are part of the workflow.

4. Genomics & NGS Sample Preparation

Genomics workflows frequently involve high numbers of samples and repeated liquid transfers.

Reducing unnecessary pipette changes and enabling simultaneous sample transfers can help make sample preparation more efficient.

5. Proteomics & Protein Research

Protein workflows can involve transfers between tubes, plates, and other laboratory vessels.

Adjustable tip spacing provides the flexibility needed to move multiple samples across different formats with a single pipette.

6. Agarose Gel Loading

Gel loading is another application where tip spacing can become important.

The spacing required for a microplate may differ from the spacing needed to access wells in an agarose gel. Adjustable spacing allows the pipette to adapt to these different requirements while maintaining multichannel operation.

Adjustable Tip Spacing vs. Fixed Tip Spacing

The biggest difference is simple: fixed spacing is designed around a format, while adjustable spacing adapts to the workflow.

Introducing Accumax FabFLEX® Adjustable Tip Spacing Pipette

The Accumax FabFLEX® Adjustable Tip Spacing Pipette is designed for laboratories that work across multiple vessel formats and need flexibility without compromising multichannel operation.

FabFLEX® allows users to adjust tip spacing to transfer samples between tubes, reservoirs, PCR strips, agarose gels, and multiple well-plate formats.

It is available in 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-channel configurations, with volume options ranging from 2 µL to 1250 µL, depending on the model. Tip spacing can be adjusted from 4.5 mm to 33 mm, depending on the configuration.

Key Features of FabFLEX®

Adjustable Tip Spacing

Change the distance between tips to accommodate different labware formats.

Multiple Channel Configurations

Available in 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-channel options for different throughput requirements.

Wide Labware Compatibility

Designed for workflows involving 12-, 24-, 48-, 96-, and 384-well plates, PCR strips, tubes, reservoirs, and agarose gels.

Smooth Spacing Adjustment

An easy-to-use adjustment mechanism enables convenient switching between different vessel formats.

ISO 8655 Calibrated

Designed to provide reliable pipetting performance with accuracy and precision.

Spring-Loaded Tip Cone

Helps provide a secure tip fit while supporting comfortable pipetting.

Ergonomic Design

Designed with weight distribution and user comfort in mind for repetitive liquid-handling workflows.

The Workflow Advantage

The value of adjustable tip spacing goes beyond simply changing the distance between pipette tips.

It is about reducing interruptions in the workflow.

Instead of:

Change Labware → Change Pipette → Transfer Samples → Repeat

the workflow can become:

Change Labware → Adjust Tip Spacing → Transfer Samples

That can make everyday liquid handling more flexible and efficient, particularly in laboratories where multiple vessel formats are used within the same experiment.

When Should You Consider an Adjustable Tip Spacing Pipette?

An adjustable tip spacing pipette can be particularly useful if your laboratory:

• Frequently transfers samples between tubes and microplates
• Works with multiple well-plate formats
• Handles PCR strips and plates
• Performs high-throughput sample preparation
• Loads agarose gels
• Performs cell-based assays
• Works with genomics, proteomics, or molecular biology workflows
• Wants to reduce unnecessary pipette changes
• Needs multichannel throughput with greater flexibility

One Pipette. More Possibilities.

Laboratory workflows are becoming increasingly diverse, but your liquid-handling tools don’t have to become increasingly complicated.

An adjustable tip spacing pipette brings together the throughput of multichannel pipetting and the flexibility needed for different labware formats.

With the Accumax FabFLEX®, laboratories can adapt tip spacing to their workflow and move multiple samples efficiently across tubes, plates, strips, reservoirs, and gels.

Because when your labware changes, your pipette should be able to change with it.

Accumax FabFLEX® Adjustable Tip Spacing Pipette

Adapt the spacing. Simplify the workflow. Keep the samples moving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What labware can I actually use this with?

Pretty much everything you’d typically work with in a day-to-day workflow—12-, 24-, 48-, 96-, and 384-well plates, PCR strips, tubes, reservoirs, even agarose gels. Just adjust the spacing to match what’s in front of you. No need to keep separate pipettes on hand for each format.

What volume range should I get?

That really comes down to what you’re using it for. These pipettes are usually available in a few different ranges—something like 0.5–10 µL, 5–50 µL, or 20–200 µL—so it’s worth checking the specs for whatever model you’re eyeing and picking the one that fits your assay.

Can I stick it in the autoclave?

In most cases, yes—but not always the whole thing. Some models are fully autoclavable, while others only allow certain parts (like the tip cone) to go through the cycle. Best to double-check the manual so you don’t accidentally throw off the calibration.

How do I change the spacing—do I need tools for that?

Nope, no tools needed. Most pipettes use a simple dial, lever, or slider built right in. Takes just a few seconds to switch between configurations, so it’s not going to slow you down mid-workflow.

If I change the spacing, do I need to recalibrate?

Good news—no. A well-made adjustable spacing pipette is built to stay accurate no matter what spacing you’re on, so you’re not recalibrating every time you switch formats. Just keep up with your lab’s normal calibration schedule like you would with any pipette.

Also Read: How Accumax LTS®-Style Tips and LTS®-Style Pipettes Boost Lab Efficiency and Accuracy