This article explains how to integrate devices located outside the worktable.
Devices such as shakers and incubators are usually integrated directly on the worktable (grid-based), while devices such as readers and washers are often integrated outside the worktable (non-grid-based), either next to or underneath it.
Prerequisites for Non-Grid-Based Carrier Definitions:
- Ensure the custom attribute “IsGridBased” is unchecked.
- Set reference offsets to zero.
- Check “Allowed Locations the deviceSite01-50”.
Steps to Integrate Non-Grid-Based Devices:
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Open FluentControl™: Start the FluentControl™ application and open the relevant worktable.
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Fetch Labware: Use Direct commands to fetch labware for teaching.
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Place the Device: Drag and drop the device onto the worktable. This will open the “Placement” section in the device editor. Fig.1
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Activate “Zero-G”: Enable “Zero-G” for the RGA and move it to the end position on the plate holder.
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Adjust Position: Click “Transfer” under the “Adjustment” section.
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Save the Carrier Definition: Save the carrier definition to update the device's positioning on the worktable.
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Set Robot Vector: Navigate to the “Robot Vector” section and transfer the current position as the “End Position” of the RGA vector.
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Teach Waypoints: Teach safe and intermediate waypoints for the RGA vector.
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Return Labware: Use Direct commands to return the labware used for teaching.
Compared to other FluentControl™ versions, FluentControl v3.6 stores the placement (teaching) values of non-grid-based devices, such as a centrifuge or a HydroFlex washer, on the instrument’s Te-Control board in the LocationCorrection.config file. Adjustments to carrier sites are stored on the instrument as well. When a computer running FluentControl is connected to an instrument, these values are automatically downloaded from the instrument and used in the worktables in FluentControl.
When using FluentControl 3.6 or FluentSetup 3.6 (whichever is launched first) with an instrument for the first time, the values are migrated from the local database onto the instrument and the .config file is created.
What happens when I upgrade from a previous FluentControl version to FluentControl 3.6?
After the upgrade, the device placement and carrier site adjustment values from the FluentControl database are uploaded to the instrument. This happens when FluentControl or FluentSetup, whichever is used first, are connected to an instrument which has no values stored on it. Before the upload, a restore point is created.
What happens when I connect a computer running FluentControl 3.6 to an instrument that already has device placement and carrier site adjustment values stored?
The values from the instrument will be downloaded to the computer and updated in the FluentControl database.
What happens when I import a .ZEIA file into FluentControl 3.6 and I am connected / then connect to an instrument that already has device placement and carrier site adjustment values stored?
The values from the instrument will be downloaded to the computer and updated in the FluentControl database.
At which point during teaching are teaching values uploaded to the instrument?
1. When adding a device to the worktable and saving the Adjustment values in the Placement tab of the carrier definition. See also Fig. 1. Below.
Fig. 1. Non-grid-based devices are taught using the Placement section of the device carrier definition. These values are stored on the instrument.
2. When adjusting a carrier site on a worktable, either via the carrier definition or the labware definition editors. See also Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 below.
Fig. 2. Site-specific adjustments to carriers are stored on the instrument when the radio button ‘Individual position of location in this workspace’ is chosen.
Fig. 3. Site-specific adjustments to carriers can also be made via the labware editor. These values are stored on the instrument.
Note: “Placement” only teaches and defines the location of the device in the workspace. A device-specific vector must still be manually defined in the “Robot Vectors” section. It is important that the “Adjustment” in the “Placement” section is the same location as the “End Position” of the vector in order to prevent PathFinder™ issues.
Note: that the PathFinder™ does not work underneath the deck. Therefore, the first waypoint of the RGA vector (the Safe position) must be defined above deck level (z-coordinate >= 0).
Further Help
For further help, please refer to our Helpdesk.
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