You'll hear some mechanical noises from the robot when using a P300 8-Channel GEN2. These may be louder than you are used to hearing from the robot, but they are most likely normal.
Here's how it sounds:
When is it normal to hear the noise?
Only the P300 8-Channel GEN2 makes a louder than normal noise because of the plunger design. It does this when homing, but also in a few other instances. It's normal to hear it:
When you attach the pipette for the first time.
At the beginning of your protocol, even if the pipette isn't used by the protocol you are running.
If the pipette hasn't been used for more than 30 minutes in your protocol.
At the end of the protocol, as the robot stops moving.
If you hear a loud noise at any other time while using the robot, try to take a video of it happening and contact Opentrons Support for help.
What is that noise and why is it so loud?
The loud noise you hear coming from the P300 8-Channel GEN2 is the sound of the motor applying a higher force than normal in order to "unstick" the pipette plungers.
Unsticking is required to mechanically free the pipette when the plungers haven't been used for a while. You can think of this as the pipette stretching before going for a run. 🏃♀️