LabVIEW drivers - CAT - Liquid Handling CaRo XYZ Autosampler - Testrun

CAT - Liquid Handling CaRo XYZ Autosampler - Testrun

This webpage describes a test of the autosampler in a laboratory setup. The purpose is to show that a series of vials - 105 sets of 6 vials - can be filled and that moving from one set of vials to the next set remains accurate all the time.
In the setup there are 5 trays, each with 7 rows of 18 vials. The following picture illustrates the layout:

Move to...

The basic movement for the needles that will be used to fill the vials is straightforward: move up, move to the next set of vials, move down. Moving to the next set of vials is based on the position for the first set of vials (X₀, Y₀) and the distance between 2 sets of vials in the same row (dY_sets), between 2 rows (dX_rows) and between 2 trays (dX_trays).
There are 2 simple formulas to calculate the X- and Y-coordinates for each selected (N^th) set of vials: X = X₀ + ((N-1) div 3).dX_rows +((N-1) div 21).dX_trays

here x represents the incoming N, the outcome is the X-coordinate Y = Y₀ + ((N-1) mod 3).dY_sets

here x represents the incoming N, the outcome is the Y-coordinate In this particular case the geometric parameters are as follows: X₀ = 180
dX_rows = 150
dX_trays = 30
Y₀ = 300
dY_sets = 900
The orientation of the Y-axis can be altered (e.g. near becomes far) by using the alternative formula: Y = Y₀ - ((N-1) mod 3).dY_sets

here x represents the incoming N, the outcome is the Y-coordinate In this particular case there is one change in geometric parameters: Y₀ = 2100
In caro_position.vi select 'Orientation'=1 for the first method to caltculate the Y-coordinate and 'Orientation'=2 for the second method.

Description of the test vi

The test vi is a continuous loop which will:

• lift the needles
• randomly select a set of vials (a number between 1 and 105)
• calculate the X- and Y-coordinates
• move to the appropriate location
• lower the needles
• loop back if not stopped

Testresult

Downloads

support files
caro_position.vi
This vi calculates the X- and Y-coordinates for set N of vials.

caro_move_sub.vi
This (sub-)vi moves the X-, Y-, or Z-'arm' to the desired position.

main program
caro_testrun.vi
This vi continuously moves the 'arms' to a randomly selected set of vials.

See also

Connecting the autosampler..

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