An apparatus that automatically captures, stores and analyzes images of crystallization experiments contained in a number of crystallization plates. The face component has a striking plate portion and a return portion. The extruded bearing housing includes webs that connect the radially inner ring and the radially outer ring, and the webs are arranged at an acute angle to a circumferential direction. The Islands cooperate to provide a Virtual Ethernet Connection to each set of customer sites being coupled together. The programmable SSCG includes a variable delay element that generates the output signal by delaying the periods of the periodic signal based on the magnitude of the control signal.