SubProcess (Bravo, Vertical Pipetting Station)

Description

The Subprocess (Bravo) () and Subprocess (Vertical Pipetting Station) () tasks indicate the start of a protocol subroutine that employs either the Bravo Platform or the Vertical Pipetting Station. Within the subprocess, you can add tasks that are unique to the device. You can expand or collapse the subprocess to show or hide the subprocess tasks.

IMPORTANT All Bravo or Vertical Pipetting Station liquid-handling tasks must be added within a Bravo or Vertical Pipetting Station Subprocess respectively.

 

Task is available for...	Task is available in...
Bravo Platform	Main Protocol
Vertical Pipetting Station	Main Protocol

Task parameters

IMPORTANT The latest version of the VWorks software is backward-compatible with protocols created in VWorks4 version 6.2.3 or earlier and will continue to support static labware configuration procedures. However, Agilent Technologies recommends that you use the concepts and procedure in Configuring labware when writing new protocols.

After adding the Subprocess task at the desired point in the protocol, you have the option of assigning static labware to locations on a device. You assign static labware in the subprocess to override the static labware configuration in the Startup Protocol. For more information about static labware, see Planning labware use.

To assign static labware to locations on the device, set the following parameters in the Task Parameters area:

 

 

Parameter	Description
Subprocess name	The name of the subprocess. Select from the list of available subprocesses currently in the protocol.
Display confirmation	The option to display a message at the beginning of the protocol run and the subprocess to remind you to verify the physical locations of the labware match what you specified in the software.
Location/Shelf n	The Bravo deck locations or Vertical Pipetting Station shelves. Select the labware for the specific locations or shelves.

Device selection

You must select a device for Subprocess tasks. If you have multiple devices of the same type, you can:

•	Prioritize the list of devices for the task. If the first device in the list is busy, the software will automatically use the next device in the list. If all of the devices in the list are busy, the task that needs the device will wait until one becomes available.

•	Set up a backup pool. If the primary device encounters an error, the software will automatically use the next device in the list. However, if all of the devices in the list are in an error state, the software will automatically use the device in the backup pool.

IMPORTANT The multiple devices must be configured with the same static labware and accessories, and all the accessories must have identical setups.

After adding the Subprocess task at the desired point in the protocol, select the task, and then click Device Selection in the Task Parameters area.

To select a device for the task:

1	Double-click the desired device (deck location or shelf) in the Devices available to perform task area to move it to the Devices involved in task area. If you have multiple devices of the same type, you can move them to the Devices involved in task area.

2	If you have multiple devices in the Devices involved in task area, select a device, and then click Use earlier or Use later to prioritize it.

3	Optional. Select backup devices to use in case all of the devices in the Devices involved in task area encounter an error.

a	Select Devices in backup pool.

b	Drag one or more devices from the Devices available to perform task area to the Devices in backup pool area.

c	If you have multiple devices in the backup pool, select a device in the Devices in backup pool area, and then click Use earlier or Use later to prioritize it.

 

Subprocess Order

If more than one sub-process uses the same configured labware, and the sub-processes are in different protocol processes, you can specify the sequence in which the sub-processes will be performed.

To specify the sequence in which the sub-processes will be performed on the same configured labware:

1	In the protocol process, select the sub-process that contains the task that uses the configured labware.

In the following example, the Bravo Subprocess named Dilute is selected.

 

2	In the Task Parameters area, click Sub Process Order.

3	In the Sub Process Order area, double-click the subprocess names to rearrange the order.

In the following example, the Dilute subprocess is selected. So the task sequence will be Replicate subprocess, followed by the Dilute subprocess.

 

Related information

 

For information about...	See...
Configured labware	Planning labware use
Static labware	Planning labware use
Startup Protocol	Setting up Startup and Cleanup Protocol processes
Adding devices	• Adding devices • Device user guide
Adding tasks in a protocol	Adding and deleting tasks
Microplate-handling tasks	Setting parameters for microplate-handling tasks
Microplate-storage tasks	Setting parameters for microplate storage tasks
Liquid-handling tasks	Setting parameters for liquid-handling tasks
Scheduling tasks	Setting parameters for scheduling tasks
I/O-handling tasks	Setting parameters for I/O-handling tasks