Set Head Mode (Bravo)

Description

The Set Head Mode (Bravo) () task specifies the channels (or barrels) in the pipette head to be used for pipetting. You can select an m × n array of channels (barrels) for one of the following configurations:

•	All of the pipette channels

•	The first or last full column or row of pipette channels

•	Multiple full columns or rows of pipette channels

•	The first or last partial column or row of pipette channels

•	Multiple partial columns or rows of pipette channels

•	A single pipette barrel at the corner of the pipette head

This task should only be used if the Series III pipette head is installed.

 

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

Pipette head requirements

You can use the following pipette heads with a flexible array of pipette tips:

 

Pipette head	Microplate format
Series III 96-channel head with disposable tips	96, 384, or 1536
Series III 384-channel head with disposable tips	96, 384 or 1536

Accessible deck locations

The deck locations you can access depends on the pipette head channels you select. The following table shows the channel selections and corresponding deck location limits. Use this information when you set up labware on the Bravo deck.

 

Pipette channel selection	Accessible Bravo deck locations

Before you add the task

Make sure:

•	You have installed the correct pipette head. See Pipette head requirements and the Bravo Automated Liquid Handling Platform User Guide.

•	If you are going to use partial rows or columns of channels (barrels) on the pipette head, retract the tip box stripper pins on the pipette head. See the Bravo Automated Liquid Handling Platform User Guide for this procedure.

•	The correct Bravo device file is open in the VWorks window.

•	The profile you selected shows the correct head type, tip type, and miscellaneous settings.

•	All the teachpoints have been added and verified.

Task parameters

IMPORTANT The Set Head Mode task should always precede the pipetting tasks that require the specified subset of pipettes.

IMPORTANT The Set Head Mode task should precede the Serial Dilution task. If you plan to change tips during the serial dilution process, add the Set Head Mode task before the Tips On task.

After adding the Set Head Mode task at the desired point in the protocol, set the following parameters in the Task Parameters area:

 

 

Parameter	Description
Head mode	The channel selection. Click the Head mode field, and then click the button that appears. In the Head Mode Selector dialog box that opens, select the pipette channels.

Head Mode Selector dialog box

The Head Mode Selector dialog box allows you to select the pipette channels. Except for the Subset: All barrels mode, you select the desired channels using a combination of the Subset mode selection with the Subset orientation selection.

 

To select the pipette channels:

1	In the Subset list, select one of the following:

 

Subset mode	Description
All barrels	Uses all of the pipette channels.
Full column	Uses one or more full columns of pipette channels, starting from the right-most or left-most column.
Full row	Uses one or more full rows of pipette channels, starting from the first row or the last row.
Partial row/column	Uses part of the selected columns or rows.

2	In the Subset orientation list, select one of the following:

 

Subset orientation	Description
Front right	Uses pipette channels that contain the single channel in the front right corner.
Back right	Uses pipette channels that contain the single channel in the back right corner.
Front left	Uses one or more full rows of pipette channels, starting from the first row or the last row.
Back right	Uses part of the selected columns or rows.

3	When you are finished, click OK to save the selection.

Example: Specify the pipette channels to use on the Bravo Platform

Goal

Use only column 1 of a Series III 96-channel pipette head for the liquid-handling tasks.

Implementation

At the beginning of the Bravo subprocess, add a Set Head Mode task as shown.

 

In the Set Head Mode Task Parameters area, column 1 is selected.

I

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
Tips On task	Tips On (Bravo, Vertical Pipetting Station)
Tips Off task	Tips Off (Bravo, Vertical Pipetting Station)
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