About ActiveX controls

What is the BenchCel ActiveX control

The BenchCel ActiveX control is the software component that allows the BenchCel Microplate Handler to interact with a third-party lab automation system.

How the BenchCel ActiveX control is used

In an Agilent Technologies automation system, the VWorks software is already configured to interface with the BenchCel Microplate Handler. The operator can control the device using the software.

In a third-party lab automation system, you use ActiveX to enable the third-party software to interface with the BenchCel Microplate Handler. Each ActiveX control consists of a collection of the following:

•	Methods. Functions that can be called to invoke individual operations

•	Properties. Attributes or features of the BenchCel ActiveX control

•	Events. Notifications that methods have completed or resulted in errors

When integrating the BenchCel Microplate Handler in a lab automation system, you need to know the available methods and properties for the ActiveX control.

The following diagram illustrates the use of the BenchCel ActiveX control in a lab automation system environment. Actions you perform are conducted through ActiveX methods. System responses are relayed back through ActiveX events.

 

 

Using the ActiveX control

The Agilent ActiveX control is a Windows-based control. To use the control, you place it on a form or window. The form can be visible or hidden. The following procedure provides an example of how to set up the control using Microsoft Visual Studio.

To set up the ActiveX control using Visual Studio:

1	In Visual Studio, open the project form in the Forms Designer.

2	Right-click in the Toolbox area, and select Choose Items from the shortcut menu.

 

3	In the Choose Toolbox Items window, click the COM Components tab, and select the check box of the desired control.

For the BenchCel ActiveX, select the BenchCel Control check box.

 

4	Click OK. The selected control appears in the Toolbox area.

 

5	Drag the control onto your form.

 

Related topics

 

For information about...	See...
BenchCel ActiveX properties	Properties
BenchCel ActiveX methods	Methods
BenchCel ActiveX events	Events
Reporting problems	Reporting problems