Cycling teachpoints

 

 

About teachpoint cycling

After you have set and verified each teachpoint, you can have the robot transfer labware to and from multiple teachpoints in a cycling pattern as a final check. You can select the teachpoints you want to verify and specify the sequence in which the transfers will occur. Doing so allows you to check the accuracy of the selected teachpoints without having to write or run a protocol.

Cycling sequences

Two types of teachpoint-cycling sequences are available: Sequential, and all permutations.

Sequential

In sequential cycling, the robot will transfer labware to the selected teachpoints in the order you specify. For example, if you select four teachpoints (1, 2, 3, and 4), the cycling order is as follows:

 

All permutations

In all-permutations cycling, the robot will transfer labware to each of the selected teachpoints in all of the possible permutations. If a teachpoint has more than one orientation, all of the orientations will be cycled.

Before you start

Plate stages

IMPORTANT Make sure the device plate stages are extended so that the robot can place labware at these teachpoints during cycling.

The cycling function is a feature of BenchBot Robot Diagnostics only. During cycling, the VWorks software does not send commands to the devices to open device doors or extend the plate stages. Therefore, you must use the commands in the device diagnostics to move the plate stages into positions before cycling the teachpoints. For instructions on how to move the plate stages into position, see the device user guide.

Labware lids

The only actions the robot will perform during cycling is picking up and placing labware. You cannot delid or relid labware during the cycling process.

Procedure

 

WARNING  Be sure to wear protective eyewear when entering the system and working with the robot.

 

WARNING  Stay out of the system while the robot is in motion.

To transfer labware between multiple teachpoints:

1	In BenchBot Robot Diagnostics, click the Cycler tab.

 

2	Click Add teachpoints. The Add Cycler Teachpoints dialog box opens.

 

3	Select the teachpoints you want to verify. CRTL+click multiple teachpoints to add them simultaneously.

4	Click OK to return to the Cycler tab. The selected teachpoints appear in the Teachpoints list.

5	To change the order of the teachpoints, select a teachpoint, and then click the up- or down-arrow button to move it up or down the list.

 

6	Review the list in the Teachpoints area. To remove a teachpoint from the list, select the teachpoint in the list, and then click Remove teachpoint.

7	Select Pause after if you want to pause the cycling after a specific number of cycles. Type the number of cycles after which you want to pause in the cycles box.

8	Select All permutations if you want to run that type of cycling sequence. See Cycling sequences.

9	Place the labware at the first teachpoint.

10	When you are ready, click Start to begin cycling. Notice that the Start button changes to the Pause button.

During teachpoint cycling, you can:

•	Monitor the cycling. To do this, check the number displayed in the Cycle count area. You can also view the robot movements in the system or in the Robot Status area.

•	Stop the cycling. To do this, click Stop. The robot will stop after the current pick-and-place action.

 

 

 

Related information

 

For information about...	See...
Editing teachpoints	Editing existing teachpoints
Verifying teachpoints	Verifying teachpoints
Managing teachpoints	Managing teachpoints