Spawn Process

Description

The Spawn Process task () is used to initiate another process within the same protocol. For example, to reduce evaporation, you can use Process Control task to deliver a certain labware into the system only when they are ready to be processed. You can also use the Process Control task with JavaScript code to use operator-supplied information to initiate a new process or funnel incoming labware into a different process depending on the barcode.

 

Task is available for...	Task is available in...
Any device	Main Protocol

When to use Spawn Process instead of Process Control

The Spawn Process task provides a simple way to initiate another process in the same protocol. Use the task if you want to initiate only one or two processes in the protocol, and the spawning of the processes do not depend on varying run-time conditions.

If you want to initiate multiple processes depending on changing run-time conditions, use the Process Control task instead. See Process Control.

Task parameters

After adding the Spawn Process task at the desired point in the protocol, set the following parameters in the Task Parameters area:

 

 

Parameter	Description
Process to spawn	The process that starts to run when the current process reaches the Spawn Process task. Select from the list of processes.
Spawn as subroutine	The option to run the spawned process as a subroutine (or subprocess) of the current process. IMPORTANT If the spawned subprocess specifies a different labware type, the software ignores the labware specification. Select the option if you want the software to start the spawned process when the Spawn Process task is reached, and continue the current process after the spawned process is finished. Clear the check box if the two processes can run in parallel when the current process reaches the Spawn Process task.

Example 1

Goal

Replicate Source Plate on the Bravo Platform. Deliver the Diluent Plate from the BenchCel Microplate Handler into the system only when the Destination Plate is ready for dilution.

Implementation

The Bravo Platform and BenchCel Microplate Handler in the example are configured as follows:

•	The replication process will occur on the Bravo Platform.

•	The Source Plate, Destination Plate, and Diluent Plate will be stored in different stacks in the BenchCel Workstation. At the end of the process, the microplates are stored in an empty stack in the BenchCel Microplate Handler.

When writing the protocol:

•	Add a process for the Source Plate as shown. In the Source Plate process, add a Bravo Subprocess (renamed Replication in the example) that aspirates contents from the Source Plate and dispenses into the Destination Plate.

•	Add a process for the Destination Plate as shown. In the Destination Plate process, add two Bravo Subprocesses:

–	The first subprocess (renamed Replication in the example) reflects the movement of contents from the Source Plate and into the Destination Plate. This is a copy of the tasks in the Source Plate process.

–	The second subprocess (renamed Dilution in the example) aspirates contents from the Diluent Plate and dispenses into the Destination Plate.

•

Add a process for the Diluent Plate as shown. In the Diluent Plate process, add a subprocess (renamed Diluent in the example) that reflects the movement of contents from the Diluent Plate into the Destination Plate. This is a copy of the tasks in the Diluent subprocess in the Destination Plate process.

•	Add a configured labware for the Tip Box as shown.

•	In the Destination Plate process, add a Spawn Process task between the Replication subprocess and the Dilution subprocess. Doing so holds the Diluent Plate in the BenchCel stack until the Replication subprocess is finished and the Destination Plate is ready to receive the diluent.

 

Example 2

Goal

The same goal as Example 1, except:

•	Ask the operator to specify the number of replications.

•	Control the spawning of the Source Plate and Destination Plate processes based on the operator input.

Implementation

The Bravo Platform and the BenchCel Microplate Handler are configured as described in Example 1. Set up the Source Plate, Destination Plate, and Diluent Plate processes as described in Example 1.

Add a new process called Control at the top of the Main Protocol as shown. Add the following tasks in the Control process:

•	User Message. Asks the operator to specify the number of replications.

•

Spawn Process. Starts the Source Plate process. In addition, provide JavaScript code in the Advanced Settings area to incorporate the input from the operator during the run. For example, if the operator specified two replications, the JavaScript code should use that value to produce two replications during the run.

•	Spawn Process. Starts the Destination Plate process. Provide JavaScript code in the Advanced Settings area to incorporate the input from the operator during the run.

 

Related information

 

For information about...	See...
Adding devices	• Adding devices • Device user guide
Adding tasks in a protocol	Adding and deleting tasks
Task parameter variables	Using simple variables
Microplate-handling tasks	Setting parameters for scheduling tasks
Microplate-storage tasks	Setting parameters for scheduling tasks
Liquid-handling tasks	Setting parameters for liquid-handling tasks
I/O-handling tasks	Setting parameters for I/O-handling tasks