Move and Filter Plate (Bravo)

Description

The Move and Filter Plate task moves a specified filter plate from its current location to the Vacuum Filtration Station and then turns on and turns off the vacuum.

 

Task is available for...	Task is available in...
Bravo Platform	Main Protocol, Bravo Subprocess

In a Bravo Subprocess, use the Move and Filter Plate (Bravo) task () if the Vacuum Filtration Station is assembled in configuration B or C, as the following figure shows. In these configurations, the filter plate is not part of the station assembly.

Note: You may use the Move and Filter Plate task with configuration A if you want to place a second filter plate on top of configuration A.

Figure. Vacuum Filtration Station configurations A, B, and C

 

If the Vacuum Filtration Station has configuration A, where the filter plate is part of the assembly (it sits under the collar), use the Toggle Vacuum task to turn on and turn off the vacuum. See Toggle Vacuum (Bravo, Vertical Pipetting Station).

Task parameters

Note: The Move and Filter task parameters displayed can vary, depending on the type of vacuum pump used with the Vacuum Filtration Station.

After adding the Move and Filter Plate task at the desired point in the Bravo Subprocess, set the following parameters in the Task Parameters area:

 

 

Parameter	Description
Location, plate	The name of the filter plate that the robot will move to the Vacuum Filtration Station (specified by the Location, location parameter). Select the filter plate from the list of names. Note: In a double-filtration scenario, where a Move and Filter Plate task will place a filter plate on top of configuration A, ensure that you specify the filter plate to be placed on top of the collar, not the filter plate that is part of the configuration A assembly.
Location, location	The deck location of the Vacuum Filtration Station. If more than one Vacuum Filtration Station is on the deck, select the specific deck location instead of <auto-select>.
Mode	The action of the task. The options are On, Off, and Timed. • On and Off. If you are not timing the filtering process, add two Move and Filter Plate tasks in the protocol for each filtering operation. One task turns on the vacuum (Mode = On), and the other task turns off the vacuum (Mode = Off). • Timed. If you plan to time the filtering process, add only one Move and Filter Plate task. The task turns on the vacuum, and then turns off the vacuum automatically at the end of the time period.
When filtration timing begins ME4C VARIO Vacuum Pump only	The different options for when to start timing the filtration process: • When pressure is achieved • When the vacuum pump starts
Time for operation in Timed mode (s)	The duration, in seconds, that you want to leave the vacuum on. At the end of the period, the vacuum will turn off.
Hold or tap down filter plate	The different options for whether to have the Bravo gripper hold down the filter plate when the vacuum is turned on to ensure a secure vacuum seal: • None. The Bravo gripper will not hold down the filter plate. • Tap down. The Bravo gripper will hold down the filter plate from the top only for the time period specified in the Duration for tap down parameter. • Hold down. The Bravo gripper will hold down the filter plate from the top for the duration of the task. Note: If the Vacuum Filtration Station is assembled in configuration A without a filter plate on top of the collar, and the Tap down or Hold down option is selected, the gripper will press directly on the outer upper plastic rim of the collar. Note: If you select None or Tap down, the protocol can perform other tasks in parallel. Concurrent operation is not an option if you select Hold down.
Duration for tap down (1-30 s)	The length of time, in seconds, that the Bravo gripper presses down on the filter plate. The timing commences the instant that the gripper begins to press down on the filter plate, not from the commencement of the vacuum. Note: The Vario vacuum pump has a delay of approximately 3 seconds to start the vacuum after the Tap down begins.
Allow concurrent operation	The option to permit the accessory to operate simultaneously with other tasks.
Time allowed to reach pressure (s) ME4C VARIO Vacuum Pump only	The length of time, in seconds, to allow the vacuum to reach the specified target pressure. An error message displays if the target pressure is not reached within the time specified.
Pressure units ME4C VARIO Vacuum Pump only	The desired unit of measure: mbar, Torr, hPa, mmHg, cmHg, or inHg. IMPORTANT The unit of measure specified in the Bravo device profile must match the pressure unit set at the VARIO pump in order for the VWorks software to convert to the selected units.
Target pressure ME4C VARIO Vacuum Pump only	The difference between the pressure of the outside atmosphere above the filter and the pressure in the Vacuum Filtration Station manifold, including the enclosure beneath the filter. For example, if you set the Target pressure to 600 mbar and the ambient pressure displayed on the VARIO pump is 1000 mbar, the vacuum will remain on until the reading on the VARIO pump reaches 400 mbar.
Vent delay ME4C VARIO Vacuum Pump only	The length of time, in seconds, to wait for the air pressure under the filter to equalize with the ambient air pressure.

Example

Goal

Assemble a Vacuum Filtration Station whose configuration is Base–Collection plate–Collar. Move a filter plate to the station. Filter for 30 seconds. Disassemble the station.

Implementation

In Bravo Diagnostics, the Bravo deck is configured such that:

•	The Vacuum Filtration Station will be assembled at deck location 3. The Vacuum Filtration Station base is at deck location 3.

•	The collar is at deck location 2.

•	The Filter Plate Holder is at deck location 6.

Figure. Configuration tab in the Bravo Diagnostics dialog box

 

For instructions on how to configure the device in Bravo Diagnostics, see the Bravo Automated Liquid Handling Platform User Guide.

In the protocol, the following are added as shown:

•	Filter Plate process

•	Collection Plate configured labware at deck location 8

•	Place Plate (to place the Filter Plate at location 6), Assemble Vacuum, Move and Filter Plate, and Disassemble Vacuum tasks

Figure. Example of protocol with the Move and Filter Plate (Bravo) task

 

Figure. Assemble Vacuum task parameters example

 

Figure. Move and Filter Plate task parameters example

 

Figure. Disassemble Vacuum task parameters example

 

The resulting protocol will run as follows:

1	Acknowledge that the Filter Plate is starting at deck location 6.

2	Acknowledge that the Collection Plate is starting at deck location 8.

3	Assemble the Vacuum Filtration Station (Base–Collection plate–Collar):

a	Move the Collection Plate from deck location 8 and place it on top of the base at deck location 3.

b	Move the collar from deck location 2 and place it on top of the Collection Plate at deck location 3.

4	Move the Filter Plate from deck location 6 and place it on top of the assembled Vacuum Filtration Station at deck location 3.

5	Turn on the vacuum for 30 seconds, and then turn off the vacuum.

6	Disassemble the Vacuum Filtration Station:

a	Move the Filter Plate to deck location 6.

b	Move the collar back to deck location 2.

c	Move the Collection Plate to deck location 8.

Related information

 

For information about...	See...
Adding devices	• Adding devices • Device user guide
Adding tasks in a protocol	Adding and deleting tasks
Assemble Vacuum task	Assemble Vacuum (Bravo)
Disassemble Vacuum task	Disassemble Vacuum (Bravo)
Toggle Vacuum task	Toggle Vacuum (Bravo, Vertical Pipetting Station)
Pipetting in a filter plate that sits under the collar	Pipette Under Collar Begin and End (Bravo)
Microplate-handling tasks	Setting parameters for microplate-handling tasks
Microplate-storage tasks	Setting parameters for microplate storage tasks
Scheduling tasks	Setting parameters for scheduling tasks
I/O-handling tasks	Setting parameters for I/O-handling tasks