System and auto-alignment method for determining position using a discrete contact probe

An automated alignment system for a differential scanning calorimetry system consisting of:

• a plurality of wells held at a first potential;
• a probe having a tip held at a second potential;
• one or more motors for moving the probe relative to the wells;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• detect changes in potential at the probe,
• direct the motors to move the probe to an estimated position in which the probe tip extends within a given well and move the probe along first and second axes to determine dimensions of the given well by determining first and second end points of the first and second axes as the locations at which the potential at the probe tip changes along the first and second axes,
• direct the motors to move the probe along a third axis into electrical contact with a floor of the given well based on a change in potential at the probe tip, and
• calculate a center location of the given well as the coincidence of mid-points of the first, second and third axes that are calculated based on the endpoints of the first and second axes, and a mid-point of the third axis calculated based on a location of the floor of the given well and a known depth of the given well.

A method of aligning a probe to wells comprising:

• holding the probe at one potential and holding the wells at a different potential;
• moving the probe to an estimated center position above a selected well;
• lowering the probe into the selected well;
• moving the probe in positive and negative directions along first and second axial dimensions until changes in potential are detected at the probe to indicate electrical contact between the probe and end points along the first and second axial dimensions of the selected well;
• moving the probe along a third axial dimension into electrical contact with a floor of the selected well based on a change in potential at the probe;
• and
• calculating center location of the selected well as the coincidence of mid-points of the first, second and third axial dimensions that are calculated based on end points of the first and second axial dimensions, and a mid-point of the third axial dimension based on a location of the floor of the selected well and a known depth of the selected well.