Adding a labware entry

Before you start

You must be logged in as an administrator or technician to perform this procedure.

Before you add a new labware entry:

•	Check to see if it is already defined in the Labware Editor.

Some common labware and some Agilent Technologies labware comes already defined in the VWorks software.

•	Contact Automation Solutions Technical Support with the definition you need.

Automation Solutions Technical Support maintains a large collection of labware definitions and might be able to supply you with what you need. However, these labware definitions will still require some fine-tuning for each particular system. The generic definitions available for some microplate types are a good starting point.

To find out if a type of microplate is already defined:

1	In the VWorks window, click Main Protocol, and select the microplate icon in a process.

2	In the Plate identity area, click the Plate type list and look for the microplate name.

If the list does not contain an entry for the microplate type, it is not yet defined.

 

Procedure

To add a labware entry:

1	Open the Labware Editor.

2	In the Labware Entries tab, click New labware entry at the bottom left of the window.

 

Note: You can save time by using a definition for a similar labware type as a template. Select the pre-existing definition in the list, click Save changes as, and enter a name for the new labware definition.

3	In the New Labware Entry dialog box, type a name for the labware type, and click OK. The new entry appears in the labware list.

For clarity, enter a detailed name for the labware that includes labware-specific information. For example, the name should include the number of wells, the manufacturer’s name and part number, and descriptive terms, such as square-well, flat-bottom or tip box.

IMPORTANT If you plan to use a .csv file to import labware into an inventory database, avoid using any commas in the name that you assign to the labware entry in the Labware Editor.

To save the labware entry:

1	Edit the properties as appropriate for the labware type. See Workflow for defining labware.

2	Click Save changes to save the newly defined labware entry.

Related information

 

For information about...	See...
The Labware Editor	• About defining labware with the Labware Editor • Labware Editor overview
Plate Properties tab	Setting microplate properties
Workflow for adding labware to the Labware Editor	Workflow for defining labware
Opening the Labware Editor	Opening the Labware Editor