Hudson-robotics SoftLinx 5.0 Manuel d'utilisateur

1 SoftLinx V Protocol Builder User Manual V 5.0.48 10 Stern Avenue, Springfield, NJ 07081 Tel: 973-376-7400  Fax: 973-376-8265

10 The protocol editor window is the main SoftLinx V window. Protocols can be viewed, modified, and executed here. Multiple protocols can be opened a

11 Paste - Places the copied steps onto a selected location. (Ctrl + V) Delete - Removes the selected steps from the protocol. (Delete key) Mana

12 Protocol Frame The protocol designer frame shows the protocol currently being edited. Multiple protocols can be opened, but only one protocol can

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14 Running the Protocol Protocol execution is controlled by using the three buttons in the taskbar: These buttons will only control the curren

15 Steps that are currently executing will be marked with a green aura. Expanded steps with children steps that are executing will be marked with a l

16 Protocol Variables Protocol variables can be defined to help facilitate the execution of the protocol's steps. Variables are often used in c

17 Time Constraints Time constraints are user-defined delays between two specific steps. This allows users to run a step at a specific time after a

18 For users with SoftLinx Master installed, the maximum time slot is required for scheduling purposes.

19 Protocol Steps There are several different types of steps used in protocol development. SoftLinx V has a specific set of steps the user can place

2 SoftLinx V Protocol Builder - Introduction ... 3 Main Menu ...

20 Refresh Command List - Obtains the list of commands from the interface, and adds them to the toolbox. Initialize Instrument - Refreshes the int

21 Instrument Steps All instruments have a unique set of commands which the protocol editor will present to the user. Each command is placed i

22 Run VBA Script The Run VBA Script step allows advanced users to create their own function which they may use in protocols. Users are only limit

23 Once a command is selected, the function is shown, including its return type and all required arguments. Users may enter arguments in the adjacent

24 Run Program The Run Program step will run one command line string or open an executable with optional arguments. Users will enter the path of

25 Send E-Mail The Send E-mail Notification step will allow a user to send out an email message at a certain location within the protocol. The user

26 Modify Variable The Modify Variable step will change an instrument or protocol variable to a different value. Users can input direct values or

27 End Protocol Simply stops execution of the protocol. This can be useful in conditional statements, or used as stop points if a user wants to onl

28 Region Regions are collapsible actions which can hold any number of protocol steps. Users may place steps within a region, label the region, con

29 Conditional Statement Conditional statements are used when a decision to run only one set of specific steps is necessary. Based on the result

3 SoftLinx V Protocol Builder - Introduction SoftLinx V is a multitasking laboratory control application, designed to program and operate laboratory

30 Loop Process Loops are composite steps, which will execute a set of activities within itself repeatedly for a set number of iterations. Steps mus

31 beginning of the loop's execution, the loop will continue to repeat itself. If the condition becomes false by the time the loop executes, or

32 Parallel process Parallel processes can run multiple sets of steps, either simultaneously or in a predefined order. Each branch holds its own

33 Should a user have more than 9 branches, the user must use A-Z to denote branches 10-35. Branches 36 and above cannot be run using this method, ho

34 Protocol Tutorial Protocols are sets of instructions given to the instruments to perform in a specified manner. The following instructions will

35 All steps can be dropped from the toolbox to the canvas to create the pattern above. Protocols run from start to finish, top to bottom. 3. Test

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37 Protocol Tutorial - Advanced Advanced protocols require multiple steps of various types to complete. A sample advanced protocol which utilizes th

38 - Dispense liquid to the target plate. - Move the prepared target plate to the RapidPick. We can start by placing all the steps in a linear fas

39 This allows the Crane to prepare the source plate while running the Micro 10 on the destination plate simultaneously, saving time to run the pro

4 Main Menu Upon starting SoftLinx, or whenever no protocols are open, the main window will display the screen above. Users may do one of the follo

40 remove the source plate, target plate, or both, before starting a new pick. In this case, instrument variables can be used to make decisions wit

41 This will replace the source plate when necessary. The target plates are handled in a similar manner, although additional steps must be taken

42 statement that checks the RapidPick.EmptyWells variable to see if we even need to replace the target plate. Place a move plate step, directed a

43 However, we only want to prepare the next plate, if a source plate is still present on the Rapid Pick. If the source plate has been removed, and

44 To detect a plate at a specific location, we use the statement Plates.PlateExists("X"), where X is the name of the nest where the plat

45 So, for a protocol, we currently have the following:

46 This may work for one plate. However, we want the protocol to repeat the picking and replace plate steps multiple times. We can place the last t

47 2c. Final Cleanup The last step, "Remove final plates", is a region activity with processes on removing the last target plate, and t

48 We will then check to see if there is a target plate that needs to be removed. Use a conditional statement, which tests the statement below:

49 Like the previous steps beforehand, check for a source plate using the following: Check for a target plate in the sealer using the following:

5 Instrument Manager The instrument manager hosts a variety of options to set up the user's workcell in preparation for protocol development.

50 The final protocol can condense to this: This concludes the protocol tutorials.

6 In addition to the list of instruments, the following commands are available on this screen: Add New Instrument - Installs instrument interfaces a

7 Adding Interfaces Clicking on the Add New Instrument button on the Instrument Setup list will activate the following window: To add a new instru

8 Users name the interface by instrument type - not by instance name. Templates are also available to use as starting points for interface developme

9 Protocol Editor Screen