Automated diagnostic analyzers having vertically arranged carousels and related methods

An automated diagnostic analyzer comprising:

• a base having a horizontal length;
• a first carousel rotatably coupled to the base, the first carousel having a first diameter;
• a second carousel rotatably coupled to the base, the second carousel having a second diameter, the second carousel vertically spaced over the first carousel such that at least a portion of the second carousel is disposed over the first carousel, and such that the horizontal length of the base is less than a sum of the first and second diameters;
• a pipetting mechanism to access the first carousel and the second carousel;
• and
• a controller to control the second carousel to rotate through a plurality of first locksteps, each of the first locksteps taking a first amount of time, each of the first locksteps including an advancement step and a hold step.

An automated diagnostic analyzer comprising:

• a base having a horizontal length;
• a first carousel rotatably coupled to the base, the first carousel having a first diameter;
• a second carousel rotatably coupled to the base, the second carousel having a second diameter, the second carousel vertically spaced over the first carousel such that at least a portion of the second carousel is disposed over the first carousel, and such that the horizontal length of the base is less than a sum of the first and second diameters;
• and
• a pipetting mechanism to access the first carousel and the second carousel, wherein the pipetting mechanism is rotatable about an axis of rotation that is within at least one of a circumference of the first carousel or a circumference of the second carousel.