A rotary incubation station for an automated analyzer is provided. The
rotary incubation station includes a platform, a circular ring-shaped
outside rotary wheel having a plurality of nesting locations for washing
and reading vessels, and a circular disc-shaped inside rotary wheel
having a plurality of nesting locations for incubation and storage of
vessels. The rotary incubation station also includes a spur gear
mechanism for rotating the outside and inside rotary wheels, including
spur gear drivers respectively engaged with spur gear teeth of the
outside and inside rotary wheel, providing accurate control of the
rotation of the outside and inside rotary wheels.