Cartridge Transfer v2.0 User Guide
The Cartridge Transfer utility moves full columns of AssayMAP Cartridges from the source cartridge rack, which is a standard 96AM Cartridge Rack and Receiver Plate at deck location 6, to the destination cartridge rack, which is the 96AM Cartridge and Tip Seating Station at deck location 2.
Before you start
The following figure shows the required deck layout.
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On the AssayMAP Bravo deck, make sure:
• The empty seating station is at deck location 2.
• The 96AM Cartridge Rack and Receiver Plate is at deck location 6. It may be completely or partially filled with cartridges. Make sure you remove the lid.
• The cartridges are arranged in full columns of eight cartridges each (if the source 96AM Cartridge Rack and Receiver Plate is partially filled).
• The 96AM Wash Station or the later model 96 Channel Wash Station is at deck location 1.
• All other deck locations are empty.
Experiment ID and method requirements
Each workbench application and utility has an Experiment Settings section that allows you to select an experiment ID and a method.
• An experiment ID is a database record that captures the steps executed and the settings used during each run of an application or utility. Any errors that may have occurred during a run are also recorded.
To create an experiment ID, you open the Experiments Editor by clicking 
in any Workbench app or utility. For details, go to the Literature Library and open Using the Protein Sample Prep Workbench. In the browser that opens, click Using Experiment IDs.
in any Workbench app or utility. For details, go to the Literature Library and open Using the Protein Sample Prep Workbench. In the browser that opens, click Using Experiment IDs.• A method is a comprehensive collection of saved settings for an application or utility, which you can use to run the application or utility.
Experiment IDs and methods are required for compliance-enabled VWorks editions and optional for noncompliance-enabled VWorks editions.
VWorks edition | Experiment ID and method selection |
|---|---|
VWorks Plus | Required |
VWorks Standard | Optional |
Setting up the protocol
Before starting the protocol, make sure the appropriate selections and values are specified in the Cartridge Transfer utility.
To set up the protocol:
1 Open the Utility Library.
2 Locate Cartridge Transfer, and then click Utility.
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The Cartridge Transfer utility opens.
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3 If applicable, click Select Experiment ID.
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The Experiments Editor opens.
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4 Select the Experiment ID that you want to use to record the steps performed during this application run, and then click Use Selected.
The Experiments Editor closes.
5 In the form, click Select Method to locate and select a method.
In the Open File dialog box, select the method, and click Open.
• To run the selected method, go to Starting the Cartridge Transfer run.
• To create or modify a method, proceed to step 6.
VWorks Plus. Administrator or technician privileges are required to create and modify methods.
6 In the Application Settings area, specify the following settings for the run:
Setting | Description |
|---|---|
First Column in Cartridge Rack | The first available column, counting from the left side of the 96AM Cartridge Rack and Receiver Plate. The value must be between 1 and 12. |
Number of Columns to Transfer | The number of columns of cartridges that you want to transfer to the seating station. The value must be between 1 and 12. |
First Column in Seating Station | The first column, counting from the left side, of the seating station to which cartridges will be transfered. |
Reverse Process | The option to return the moved cartridges back to their original locations. See Returning the cartridges to their original locations. |
7 To save the method:
a Click 
.
.b In the Save File As dialog box, type the file name and click Save.
VWorks Plus. You must save the method before you can run it.
Starting the Cartridge Transfer run
The probes of the Bravo 96AM Head are sharp and can scratch you if they brush across your hand. A probe scratch can expose you to any contaminants remaining on the probes. Be careful to avoid touching the probes.To start the protocol run:
1 Ensure that the accessories and cartridge rack are at the assigned deck locations, as shown in the Deck Layout image of the form.
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Incorrect labware selections and improperly seated labware can cause hardware collisions, resulting in equipment damage. Ensure that the selections in the Labware Table exactly match the physical labware present on the Bravo deck. Also ensure that all labware are properly seated within the alignment features of their respective platepads.2 Click 
to start the run.
to start the run. To monitor the progress of the run, check the Status box. For a summary of the movements, see Automation movements during the Cartridge Transfer protocol.
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When the run is finished, remove the 96AM Cartridge Rack and Receiver Plate with any unused cartridges from deck location 6.
To stop a run in an emergency, use the hardware Emergency Stop button. To pause the run, click Pause. The task currently in progress finishes before the protocol pauses. The Scheduler Paused dialog box opens. For details, see Emergency stops and pauses.
To troubleshoot errors, see the Error Recovery Guide and the Bravo Platform User Guide in the Literature Library page of the Protein Sample Prep Workbench.
Returning the cartridges to their original locations
If you have accidentally transferred cartridges to the wrong columns of the seating station, you can return the cartridges to their original locations in the 96AM Cartridge Rack and Receiver Plate.
VWorks Plus. Administrator or technician privileges are required to create and modify methods.
To return the cartridges to their original locations:
1 Without changing any other settings from their original transfer process, select the Reverse Process check box.
VWorks Plus. You must save the method before you can run it.
2 To save the Reverse Process method:
a Click .
.b In the Save File As dialog box, type the file name and click Save.
3 In the form, click Select Method.
In the Open File dialog box, select the Reverse Process method that you created in step 2, and click Open.
4 Click to reverse the original cartridge transfer process.
to reverse the original cartridge transfer process.Automation movements during the Cartridge Transfer protocol
This section describes the basic movements of the AssayMAP Bravo Platform during a generic forward Cartridge Transfer protocol. Changing the selections or parameters will alter the movements.
Protocol step | Head moves to deck location... | Action |
|---|---|---|
1 | 6 | Loads the desired number of cartridges. |
2 | 2 | Parks the cartridges in the seating station. |