Configuring the autofilling function

 

 

About this topic

This topic describes how to configure an autofilling location.

Before you start

Connect the Pump Module, Weigh Shelf, and an Agilent autofilling type reservoir.

For details, see the Pump Module User Guide.

Configuring the autofilling function

To configure an autofilling shelf:

1	In Vertical Pipetting Station Diagnostics, click the Profiles tab, and select the profile that you want to change.

2	In the Configuration tab, select the location in the Shelf list, or click the location in the graphic display.

3	In the Configure Shelf list, select Accessory.

 

4	In the Accessories Wizard, do the following:

a	In the Location for accessory list, verify the location and then click Next.

b	In the Accessory list, select Autofill Shelf, and then click Next.

c	In the Number of pump modules box, select the total number of Pump Modules connected to this device, and then click Next.

For example, if only one Pump Module is connected to this Vertical Pipetting Station, select 1. If two Pump Modules are connected to this Vertical Pipetting Station, select 2, and so forth.

Note: To make a change, click the number to display a list of options.

d	In the Autofill Shelf properties table, set the following parameters.

 

Parameter	Settings
Fill module	Specify the Pump Module that this shelf uses. For example, select 1 if only one Pump Module is connected to the device. One Pump Module can function as both the Fill module and Empty module.
Pump for filling	Select which of the two pumps on the Pump Module will fill the container, where, • Pump 1 controls the upper pump. • Pump 2 controls the lower pump.
Direction for filling	Select the pumping direction, where, • Forward moves the pumped fluid in the forward direction of the pump. • Reverse moves the fluid in the opposite direction. For example, if a single Pump Module connects to a left side shelf on the Vertical Pipetting Station, select Pump 1 Forward for autofilling and Pump 2 Reverse for autoemptying. However, if the Pump Module connects to a right side shelf, select Pump 1 Reverse for autofilling and Pump 2 Forward for autoemptying.
Empty module	Specify the Pump Module that this shelf uses. For example, select 1 if only one Pump Module is connected to this device. One Pump Module can function as both the Fill module and Empty module.
Pump for emptying	Select which of the two pumps on the given Pump Module will empty the container on the shelf, where, • Pump 1 controls the upper pump. • Pump 2 controls the lower pump.
Direction for emptying	Select the pumping direction: Forward or Reverse.
Use Weigh Shelf?	If you are using a Weigh Shelf at this location, select Yes.
Weigh Shelf module number	If connecting the Weigh Shelf serial cable to the Pump Module SHELF A input port, select 1. If more than one Weigh Shelf is connected, the module number corresponds to the order in which they are connected to the controlling computer. Note: Agilent Technologies recommends using one Pump Module for each pairing of reservoir and Weigh Shelf.

e	Click Next, and then click Finish on the Summary page.

5	When the accessory configuration message appears and advises you to set the teachpoint to a safe value, do one of the following:

•	If you are using a Weigh Shelf at this location, click Yes to move the teachpoint to a safe value.

On the Profiles tab, click Initialize this profile , and then reset the teachpoint for the installed Weigh Shelf.

•	If you are placing the reservoir on a standard shelf, click No to preserve the existing teachpoint. On the Profiles tab, click Update this profile to save the settings.

Testing the autofilling function

To test the autofilling and autoemptying functions, you can use Vertical Pipetting Station Diagnostics to run the pumps in real time.

To test autofilling:

1	In Vertical Pipetting Station Diagnostics, initialize the profile, and then click the Configuration tab.

2	In the Accessory Configuration area, highlight the Autofill Shelf icon, and then click Diagnose accessory.

Note: The Autofill Shelf is represented by a Pump Module graphic in the software.

 

3	In the Accessory Diagnostics dialog box, verify the following settings.

 

 

Control	Description
Pump on time (s)	Specifies the duration that the selected pump on the Pump Module runs when you click Run pumps.
Fill module	Specifies the Pump Module that this shelf uses. One Pump Module can function as both the Fill module and Empty module. For example, select 1 if only one Pump Module is connected.
Fill pump	Specifies which of the two pumps on the Pump Module to use for filling the container, where 1 controls the upper pump. 2 controls the lower pump.
Fill direction	Forward. Moves the pumped fluid in the forward direction of the pump. Reverse. Moves the fluid in the opposite direction.
Pump fill speed (0–100%)	Specifies how quickly the pump moves the fluid, where 100% is the fastest setting.
Empty module	Specifies the Pump Module that this shelf uses. One Pump Module can function as both the Fill module and Empty module. For example, select 1 if only one Pump Module is connected.
Empty pump	Specifies which of the two pumps on the Pump Module to use for emptying the container, where 1 controls the upper pump. 2 controls the lower pump.
Empty direction	Forward. Moves the pumped fluid in the forward direction of the pump. Reverse. Moves the fluid in the opposite direction.
Pump empty speed (0–100%)	Specifies how quickly the pump moves the fluid, where 100% is the fastest setting.
Run pumps	Starts the pumps on the selected Pump Module in real time.
Stop pumps	Stops the pumps in real time.

4	Click Run pumps and verify that the pump is functioning properly.

5	Click Stop pumps, and then click OK.

 

 

Related information

 

For information about…	See…
Starting up and shutting down the Vertical Pipetting Station	Starting up and shutting down
Setting up a Pump Module	Setting up a Pump Module
Calibrating a Weigh Shelf	Installing and calibrating a Weigh Shelf
Reservoirs and wash trays	Reservoirs and wash trays for autofilling
Draining or filling a reservoir using the Pump Reagent process	Running a process using Diagnostics software
Setting up liquid and labware definitions	VWorks Automation Control Setup Guide
Using an accessory in a protocol	VWorks Automation Control User Guide