Do the foils sealing the EZ1 Reagent Cartridges have to be manually removed prior to loading the robot?

No, prefilled Reagent Cartridges can be loaded onto the BioRobot EZ1 with their seals. During operation of the instrument, the piercing unit, a row of 6 metal spikes located behind the tip adapters, will puncture the foil of the cartridges, thereby exposing the reagents.