Homing the liquid-handling head

About this topic

This topic describes when and how to home the liquid-handling head.

 

To avoid potential injury and damage to the device, only personnel trained in how to teach the Bravo Platform should use the Jog/Teach tab controls.

 

 

The red Stop motors button in Bravo Diagnostics does not perform an immediate stop. The Bravo head can continue to move in the same direction at the same speed after you click the button. To perform an emergency stop, press the red button on the emergency-stop pendant.

 

About homing

The liquid-handling head has a defined home position for each axis of motion. Homing sends the head to the home position for the axes. Home the liquid-handling head to reset the axes. For example, if you notice the Bravo Platform is not moving to locations or teachpoints accurately, home the head.

Homing the liquid-handling head is typically done automatically on first initialization after startup.

There are four homing axes.

 

Homing in this axis …	Moves the liquid-handling head …
X	To home position in the horizontal (left-right) axis. This position is near the middle of the x-axis range.
Y	To home position for the horizontal (forward-backward) axis. This position is near the middle of the y-axis range.
Z	To home position in the vertical (up-down) axis. This position is near the top of the z-axis range.
W	Internal pipetting mechanism to its home position in the vertical aspirate-dispense axis. This position is near the low-to-mid w‑axis range.

Homing the liquid-handling head

 

Keep away from the Bravo Platform when the liquid-handling head is moving or about to move, especially in the z-axis direction. The liquid-handling head might not stop immediately in a collision and a pipette tip could pierce your hand.

 

 

Before homing an individual axis, home the z-axis first so that the head avoids potential obstacles on the deck. A collision between the head and obstacles on the deck can result in equipment damage.

 

To home an individual axis:

1	In Diagnostics, click the Jog/Teach tab.

2	Click the corresponding Home button for the given axis (w, x, y, or z).

To home the liquid-handling head in the x, y, and z axes:

1	In Diagnostics, click the Jog/Teach tab.

2	Click Home XYZ.

The liquid-handling head moves to the home position.

The axis order of homing is z—> x—> y.

 

Related information

 

For information about...	See...
Opening Diagnostics	Opening Bravo Diagnostics
Moving the liquid-handling head manually	Manually moving the head or gripper
Changing the liquid-handling head	Changing the Bravo head