Creating or adding a Bravo device

About this topic

Read this topic if you are an administrator responsible for managing Agilent Technologies devices that are controlled by the VWorks software. This topic describes how to add and delete new Bravo devices in the VWorks software.

The VWorks software uses the information in a device file to communicate with and operate the Bravo device.

•

If your computer was configured by Agilent Technologies. The correct device configuration is already set up for communication with the Bravo Platform. You are not required to create a new Bravo device in the software unless you want to reference different profiles. To establish communication, you must initialize the device.

•	If you configured your own computer. You must add a device in the VWorks software for each Bravo Platform in the system.

For detailed information about device files and associations with profiles, teachpoints, and labware definitions, see the VWorks Automation Control User Guide.

Devices and device files defined

A device is an item in your lab automation system that has an entry in a VWorks software device file. A device can be a robot, an instrument, or a location in a lab automation system that can hold a piece of labware.

The device file (*.dev) stores information for all the devices in an integrated system, including:

•	Type of device (for example, Bravo device)

•	Device configuration information (for example, approach height, allowed or prohibited labware, and so on)

•	Profile to use

Creating a device file

If you are setting up the Bravo Platform for the first time, you will create a device file. You add the Bravo device and the external devices to the device file.

To create a device file:

1	Log in to the VWorks software as an Administrator.

2	In the VWorks window, choose File > New > Device.

A Device File tab appears in the VWorks window.

3	Choose File > Save. In the Save As dialog box, type a file name (*.dev), select the following storage location, and click Save:

…\VWorks Workspace\Device Files

 

Adding the Bravo device to a device file

Before you begin:

•	Ensure that any devices are physically networked to the computer.

•	Turn on the devices.

To add devices to a device file:

1	In the VWorks window, verify that the correct device file is open.

To open a device file, choose File > Open. In the Open dialog box, select your device file (*.dev), and then click Open. The device files should be stored in the following location:

…\VWorks Workspace\Device Files

2	In the Available Devices area, double-click the Bravo icon. Or, drag the Bravo icon to the Device File tab.

Note: To show or hide the list of available devices, choose View > Available Devices.

 

3	In the Device File tab, select the Bravo‑n icon.

4	Under Bravo Properties, type a Name for the device. By default, the software assigns Bravo‑n, and increments the number for each Bravo device that you add.

To identify the specific Bravo, the device name should include the device serial number.

5	In the Profile list, select a profile for the device.

If the Profile list is empty, open Diagnostics and create a profile. Then return to the Profile list under Bravo Properties and select the new profile.

 

To use different configurations of the same device in different protocols, you can save time by creating a different device file for each configuration. For example, if you change a pipette head on a pipettor, you can simply open the device file that contains the device with the appropriate profile instead of editing the profile selection in the device file.

 

6	On the Device File tab, expand the Bravo device icon to show the list of deck locations, and then click the location 1 icon. The corresponding location properties appear.

 

Set the desired values for the following properties. Use the default values for the remaining properties.

 

Property	Description
Allowed/prohibited labware	Optional. Click if you want to specify labware restrictions for this location. The Allowed/prohibited labware dialog box appears. For details on the labware classes, see the VWorks Automation Control Setup Guide. Note: If the button is not visible, click the empty field.
BCR on side	If a barcode reader is set up at this location, you specify the side.
Stack Height	Type the maximum height (mm) for a labware stack at this location.
Teachpoint for robot <robot name>	If the device is integrated with an external robot, specify whether the robot can access this location. In Bravo Diagnostics, specify whether the Bravo head should move to a safe location or can perform operations at other deck locations concurrently. Carefully plan which locations the external robot can access.

 

Do not change the default value of the Teachpoint for robot Bravo property. For example, the deck location 1 teachpoint identity is 1, the identity of deck location 2 is 2, and so forth.

 

Repeat this step for each deck location.

7	Select File > Save.

If you are creating a new device file, the Save As dialog box appears so that you can specify a name and location for your device file. Ensure the file type is *.dev.

Alternatively, you can select File > Save All to save the device file and the current protocol file at the same time.

 

 

If an external robot will access the Bravo deck, ensure that you carefully plan which locations can be accessed and where the Bravo head can be during the external robot’s access. See Configuring external robot access.

 

Related topics

 

For more information about…	See…
Initializing the device	Initializing the device
Relationship of VWorks components, such as device files, profiles, teachpoints, and labware	VWorks Automation Control User Guide
Opening Bravo Diagnostics	Opening Bravo Diagnostics
Profiles	Creating and managing profiles
Planning and configuring external robot access on the Bravo deck	Configuring external robot access