Autoload not detecting labware

[NickHealy_Hamilton]

If you are using the original 1D autoload (shown below) with 50mL conical tubes that do not have a self-standing skirt at the bottom of the tube, then unfortunately this is a known limitation.

Due to the tapered angle of the non skirted conical portion of the tube, which is seated at the detection height of the autoload tube detector, the light reflected off of the angled tube surface does not reflect back to the sensor within the detector. See the following post which provides more detail on how this feature works.

Sample carrier insert detection

@max - Unfortunately there is no workaround, programmatic or otherwise, that will influence labware detection to reconcile the difference between metal fliptube insert that has a tube or not. The tube detect sensor is mounted to a bracket at the bottom of the autoload, and has no movement control via dedicated motors. Upon installation, the detector is aligned so that the beam makes contact at a fixed height just below the top surface of the rounded shield mounted to the far left of the autoloa…

You will want to disable labware detection for these carriers when using non-skirted 50mL conical tubes in the 12 position sample carrier. This can be done by modifying the following labware property value from 1 to 0:

The tube detection height of the new 2D autoload is higher in Z, so I believe this feature would work normally (for future reference).

Thanks.

-Nick