Setting general and view options

Setting the general options

General options allow you to specify the amount of debug information to display in the Main Log, set the robot speed, enable the error library, and other preferences.

You can set the general options during setup or the first time a protocol is run in the software. You do not need to set the general options every time you run a protocol.

 

CAUTION The settings in the Options dialog box apply to all protocol runs. Always check the settings before you start a run.

To set the general options:

1	Select Tools > Options. The Options dialog box opens.

 

2	In the Options area, set or select the following options:

 

Option	Description
Debug log level	The amount of debug information presented in the Main Log. This field should be used by Automation Solutions Technical Support or advanced users for troubleshooting purposes. Valid values are: • 0. No debug information. This default value is for typical use. • 1–5. Various levels of plugin information. • 6–100. Additional debug information. The larger the value, the more information is presented.
Robot speed (not applicable to the Bravo Platform)	The maximum general speed at which a robot, such as the BenchBot Robot, Direct Drive Robot, or BenchCel Microplate Handler, will move during the run. If you are testing a new protocol or learning to use the system, run the robot at a slow or medium speed to reduce the risk of crashes. In addition to this general robot speed, you can set: • Robot-handling speed for labware. Specifies the maximum speed at which the robot can move when handling a specific type of microplate. This parameter is set in the Labware Editor on the Plate Properties tab. If this speed differs from the general robot speed, the robot uses the slower of the two speeds. For more details on the Labware Editor, see the VWorks Automation Control Setup Guide. • Always run at robot speed when gripper is empty. This option allows the robot to move at a faster speed when no labware is in the gripper and yet retain the ability to move more slowly when carrying labware.
Always run at “robot speed” when gripper is empty	The option to move at the Robot speed setting, above, when no labware is in the robot gripper. For example, if the Robot speed is fast, but the speed for the labware is slow: • Select the check box (default). Allows the robot to move fast when moving to the labware pickup location, while the gripper is still empty. • Clear the check box. Results in the robot moving at slow speed both while moving to the pickup location and while picking up and placing the labware. For the maximum throughput, ensure this option is selected.
Use robot to check for plates	BenchBot Robot only. The option that requires the robot to move to all positions defined in the device file to check that the positions are empty. In devices that have more than one location such as the Microplate Centrifuge, the robot will check to make sure all locations are empty.
Height to check above teachpoints (BenchBot Robot only)	This parameter is available if you select Use robot to check for plates. The height you specify is the offset added to the z‑axis coordinate of the teachpoint being checked. Default: 2.0 mm
Halt on bar code misreads	The option that requires the software to pause the protocol when a barcode scanned does not match the barcode in the input file. Causes of the misread include missing barcode labels, damaged labels, or wrong labels.
Enable error library	The option to turn on access to the Error Library.
Delete orphaned plates	The option to clear from memory any labware that were left in storage devices temporarily before the run was aborted. Doing so allows the use of the storage location in the next protocol run. For example, during a run, a labware is placed in a Labware MiniHub slot while it waits for a device. You abort the run. Before you can restart the run, you must physically remove orphaned labware left in the system from the previous run, such as the labware placed temporarily in the Labware MiniHub. However, the software still remembers that the labware is in the Labware MiniHub slot. Selecting this option clears the software memory and permits that location to be used in the new run.
Disable device initialization prompt	The option to display a message if you attempt to initialize a disabled device in the device file. Note: A disabled device will be not be available during a protocol run. If the software encounters a task pointing to the disabled device during a run, the protocol will skip the task and continue the run.
Simulation quality	The accuracy of the simulation. Select one of the accuracy levels: • Standard. The lowest level of accuracy, because the software does not query the device plugins. Certain physical constraints are not simulated, so this option results in the fastest simulation. • More accurate green dots. The next level of accuracy where the simulation might take longer than Standard quality. Similar to the Standard quality option, the software does not query the device plugins for physical constraints. However, the software ensures the green dots in the Protocol area are positioned accurately during the simulation. • Dots + communicate with plug-ins. The highest level of accuracy. The software queries the device plugins to ensure every move is physically permissible, resulting in a slower but more accurate simulation.
Create a pipette log for each protocol run	The option to create separate pipette logs for each protocol run.

Setting the view options

View options allow you to hide parameters that are not in use and remember the simulation mode when you restart the software.

You set the view options when you first set up the software. You do not need to set the view options every time you run a protocol.

To set the view options:

1	In the View Options area, set the following options:

 

 

Option	Description
Hide disabled parameters	The option to hide parameters that are not in use: • To hide the unavailable parameters, select the check box. • To show the unavailable parameters as grayed out items, clear the check box. For example, in the Aspirate task, if you select Perform tip touch, additional parameters appear, and you can specify the sides of wells to use for tip touch. If you do not select Perform tip touch, the additional parameters can be hidden or grayed out, depending on whether you selected Hide disabled parameters.
Remember simulator state between sessions	The option to remember the simulation mode (Simulation is on, or Simulation is off) when you restart the software.

2	Click OK to save the changes and close the Options dialog box.

Related information

 

For information about...	See...
Setting the log file directories	Setting log file directories
Resolving barcode reader error messages	Resolving barcode reader error messages
Setting error-handling options	Setting error-handling options
Setting up email notification	Setting up email notification
Adding an alarm	Adding an alarm
Running a protocol	Workflow for running a protocol
Setting up the error library	Setting up automated error responses