I did search the forum and found someone else asking the opposing problem, whereby they wanted all 8 tips used during a worklist. I however, would like to apply a Tip BitMask setting, which I have used before, but in a Worklist format, to ensure my samples in a series of pools are always added simultaneously.
The image below has a variable, PoolCount, set at 5. I need to make 3 dilutions (replicates) from each pool, and thus there are 15 lines on my worklist. By default, the Tecan grabs 8 tips and conducts 8 transfers (5 + 3), then grabs another 7 tips and transfers (2 + 5). I would prefer it do 3 transfers, with 5 tips each transfer.
It would be fine if the BitMask variable came from inside the script, or the .CSV file. I’m unaware of what “Tip” function does in the “Convert CSV to GWL” script line, I simply populated it here for completeness. Maybe it does this function? The F2 Help documentation does not cover this in detail from what I’ve found.
Thanks! Yes, this works in the .csv whereby each tip must be called individually. I programmed it, and conducted a test run successfully.
However, a Tip BitMask, or Tip Selection value within the FluentControl script would be ideal for this functionality. I’m building this protocol for another group (unfamiliar with Tecan scripting), which they simply enter their PoolCount value and off it goes. PoolCount will always be between 1-8, and applying the mask on the FCA would be ideal.
I guess you can also control the Tip Selection in the CSV by adding the individual tip mask relative to the pool count but that’s an extra layer that you may not want to manage. Also something to note…
Fluent Control 3.6 does have pooling added to the Sample Transfer SMART Command
If the number of options is limited to 8 cases, one could go for some If-Else approach (though it is not elegant)
If PoolCount = 1
Worklist command with tip1
If PoolCount = 2
Worklist command with tip 1,2
…
If PoolCount = 8
Worklist command with tip 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
If you go for another approach and need the tip value for the tip mask for an individual tip, it is formula: 2^(tipNumber -1) => 1,2,4,8,16,32,64,128
If you need the tip mask value for let’s say all tips between tip 1 until tip x you can start with a variabe tipMask = 0 and then
Loop with numberOfTips times loop cycles and loopcounter tipNumber tipMask = tipMask + 2^(tipNumber -1)
Yes, setting the individual tip calling is a possibility in my worklist. To be completely clear, I have a single .csv file that is conducting 8 separate worklists, and thus adding the tip call will add 8 columns to the .CSV file. I was hoping to implement this in a more elegant way. As spreadsheets (.CSV) files get quite large, in my experience, opens up the doorway for errors. Interesting that version 3.6 has pooling capabilities, I’ll have to look into that. Thanks!
I wish, the .CSV is generated by hand. Here is a screenshot of the script and .CSV
The group I generated this for wanted great flexibility in terms of pool count and where samples are being pooled from. As they don’t have TECAN training, I run the script for them. As mentioned above, adding another column for each worklist (8 in this case) would simply add complexity to the .CSV file.
