Finding the right pipette often means choosing between control and efficiency. Manual handheld pipettes offer the necessary control over liquid handling – making them ideal for tasks such as mixing, dissolving pellets or removing supernatants – but typically fall short for repetitive steps like aliquoting. Electronic or repeater pipettes simplify these workflows and reduce the hand strain associated with manual workflows, but come with several limitations: higher costs, the need for user set-up and a less intuitive feel than manual options.

The SWITCH hybrid pipette replaces individual manual and electronic pipettes with a single solution, eliminating the need to compromise.

• No need to change your manual pipetting habits 

• Less time needed for aliquoting 

• Reduced RSI risk 

 
 
How it works
The SWITCH is an innovative, single channel pipette designed to simplify and accelerate pipetting tasks, combining precise manual control with fast aliquoting in one device. It is available in 2 μl to 1,000 μl sizes, and offers intuitive adjustments and ergonomic handling for consistently easy and enjoyable pipetting.

Overview

1. Ergonomic plunger requires less force than traditional mechanical pipettes, and is always positioned at the optimal height
2. Quick set ring enables one-handed volume adjustments and easy setting of repeat dispense parameters
3. Curved tip ejector button and GRIPTIPS® pipette tips offer exceptionally low ejection forces
4. Mode switch provides a seamless transition between manual pipetting and repeat dispense mode
5. Easy-to-read display with large, clear digits

Work the way you always have – just smarter

When used manually, the SWITCH delivers the same simplicity and familiar feel as a traditional handheld mechanical pipette. The quick set ring supports intuitive, rapid volume adjustments – allowing both large volume changes and precise fine-tuning – all without putting the pipette down. The ring can even rotate past 100 % to 10 % without resetting, and a firmware lock prevents accidental changes during use. Simply set the volume, operate the plunger using your thumb, and enjoy full control over aspiration and dispensing speed.

Measure unknown volumes

The SWITCH offers the added convenience of measuring unknown liquid volumes. The pipette displays the exact volume aspirated in real time, making it easy to measure unknown liquid volumes directly from the container. Simply aspirate the liquid, and the screen will display the exact volume you've drawn, allowing you to determine how much liquid was in the container.

Save time when aliquoting

The SWITCH can also be used to streamline repeat dispensing – the most commonly used function of electronic pipettes – without the need for complex programming. Seamlessly transition from manual to electronic pipetting using the mode switch (1), and use the quick set ring to define the dispense volume (2), number of aliquots and pipetting speed. Once these parameters have been set, aspiration and each dispense are precisely controlled by the pipette, and activated with a simple press of the plunger (3).

Reduced RSI risk
 
The SWITCH is designed for comfort and efficiency, helping to reduce strain during prolonged pipetting. 

• The plunger stays at the same height regardless of volume for a comfortable grip. This ensures precise manual control at small liquid volumes, as well as full volume dispensing without overstretching the thumb.
• The plunger height is further reduced in repeat dispense mode, transforming it into a convenient button for effortless aliquoting.
• GRIPTIPS snap on without excessive force, reducing strain during tip attachment and ejection.
• The curved ejector button trajectory enables a more natural movement than traditional straight-down designs.
• The SWITCH is lighter than typical electronic pipettes, and features a slightly larger circumference and finger hook to ensure a secure, comfortable grip.

Storage and charging options to fit every lab
 
The SWITCH offers multiple charging options tailored to the needs of busy labs. The pipette’s long-lasting battery supports a full day’s pipetting, and it can be conveniently recharged during use via a USB-C port on the handle, allowing you to continue working without interruption. Additionally, a charging contact on the finger hook enables seamless charging on the Flex charging stand, keeping your pipette organized and ready for use at all times.

Pipette tips that never loosen, leak or fall off

GRIPTIPS are always securely attached and perfectly aligned, regardless of how many side well touch offs are performed. You no longer have to hammer your pipette tips on or worry about pipette tips falling off!

1. LOBES
2. O-RING SEAL
3. RIM SNAPS OVER THE LOBES
4. SHOULDER

The rim (3) of the GRIPTIPS will snap over the Multi-Lobes (1), attaching firmly. As a result, GRIPTIPS will never accidently fall off. A shoulder (4) provides a positive stop to prevent over-tightening of the tip. It can only be attached up to that point and no further, ensuring that all tips are at the same height. That means that the tip is either on or off, and nothing in between.

Sustainability through longevity and plastic reduction

The longer you can use a device, the better it is for the planet. At INTEGRA, we design our products to ensure low wear and easy serviceability. Moreover, we offer consumable solutions that are low in plastic, for both reservoirs and pipette tips.

Learn more about our sustainability initiatives and goals.

Moving liquids in a precise and productive way is core to many tasks of laboratory professionals in the life sciences industry. Since 1965, INTEGRA has been dedicated to developing solutions for pipetting and media preparation, which fulfill the needs of our customers in research, diagnostics and quality control. It is our passion to work side by side with our customers to understand their problems and answer their needs with innovative products. In order to do this, we maintain our own sales and support organizations in several North American, European and Asian countries, as well as a network of over 100 highly trained distribution partners worldwide.

INTEGRA’s engineering and production teams in Zizers, Switzerland and Hudson, NH USA strive to develop and manufacture instruments and plastic consumables of outstanding quality. In recent years, we have focused on developing a new and technologically advanced range of lab devices, which are simple to use and meet the ergonomic needs of our customers. Today we are proud to offer the widest product line of pipettes in the market, spanning a range from single channel mechanical pipettes up to 384 channel electronic benchtop instruments.