Preparing for protocol writing

Before you create a protocol, determine the following:

•	The devices and accessories you need for the protocol.

A device is a robot, instrument, or location in the lab automation system that can hold a piece of labware. For more information, see Adding devices.

An accessory is an option that can be added to a robot, instrument, or location to enhance existing functions and facilitate operation (for example, an Auto Filling Reservoir).

•	The labware that will be used or processed during the protocol run and their starting and ending locations.

•	Whether the macro library contains any task sequences that you can use. For details on using macros, see Using macros to create protocols.

This topic explains how you plan for and specify the different devices, accessories, and labware in a protocol and the terminology that is used.

Planning device and accessory use

When planning for devices and accessories:

•	Determine the devices and accessories you will need in the protocol.

•	Determine the locations of the accessories on devices such as the Bravo Platform or the Vertical Pipetting Station. You do this when you configure the accessory in the diagnostics software. For instructions, see the device user guide.

IMPORTANT Accessory locations are displayed in the diagnostics Configuration tab only. You need to remember their locations when configuring labware in the protocol.

Note: Devices and accessories stay at the same location throughout a protocol run.

For the list of available devices and accessories you can use in the lab automation system, see the device user guide or the Agilent Technologies website at www.agilent.com/lifesciences/automation.

Planning labware use

In a lab automation system, labware can either:

•	Transfer into and out of the system for processing.

•	Start and stay in the system during the entire protocol run.

When you plan a protocol, you should determine how the labware will be used or processed and how they will move in the system. For example, if you are writing a microplate replication protocol, you need to decide whether the source microplates or destination microplates will be moved into the system while the other will remain stationary in the system. The decision can depend on many factors, including your preferences.

In the VWorks software, labware can be categorized as follows:

•	Process plates

•	Configured labware

•	Static labware

Process plates

A process plate is a labware that:

•	Is transferred into the system automatically or manually during the protocol run.

•	Is the object of one or more tasks in the protocol run.

•	Might move to different locations during the run.

•	Is transferred out of the system automatically or manually during the protocol run.

For more information about process plates, see About protocols, processes, and tasks. To create a protocol process, see Workflow for creating a basic protocol.

Configured labware

A configured labware is a labware that:

•	Starts at a location on a device.

•	Is used by one or more tasks in the protocol process.

•	Might move to different locations during the run.

•	Returns to the original location after the protocol run is finished.

For the Bravo Platform, configured labware represents the single physical labware on the deck, such as a tip box. For example, if you are using two different tip boxes in a protocol, you would configure two labware in the software, one for each tip box on the deck.

Like accessories, you must let the software know the labware's starting location. To do this, see Configuring labware.

Configured labware is displayed in a protocol with a gray background. If it is used by a task in a Bravo sub-process, a copy of the sub-process tasks are shown next to the configured labware. You cannot add or remove tasks in the duplicated process. However, whenever the sub-process is updated, the duplicate copy is also updated automatically.

You have the option of converting a configured labware into a process plate. For instructions, see Configuring labware.

Static labware

IMPORTANT Although the VWorks software supports the static labware configuration in protocols for backward compatibility, Agilent Technologies recommends that you use the concept and procedure in Configuring labware when writing new protocols.

A static labware is a labware that will start on the Bravo deck and will remain at the same location during the protocol run. For example, a tip box can be a static labware.

To specify its starting location, you must configure the static labware using one of the following methods:

•	The Bravo Sub-Process task in a Main Protocol

•	The Configure Static Labware task in the Startup Protocol

•	In general, you configure static labware before the first task in a protocol. If you have multiple processes in the protocol, configure the labware once before the first task of the first process.

Configure static labware in a Startup Protocol if it will be used in all the Main Protocol subprocesses. Configure static labware in the Main Protocol subprocess if you want to override the labware configuration in the Startup Protocol.

Related information

 

For information about...	See...
Protocols, processes, and tasks	About protocols, processes, and tasks
Workflow for creating a basic protocol	Workflow for creating a basic protocol
Using advanced features	Creating a protocol: advanced topics
Using macros to expedite protocol writing	Using macros to create protocols
Creating a custom interface for the operator who runs the protocol	Creating protocol forms for operators