From my training in 2022, I remember Hamilton mentioning that JET dispensing is fundamentally different from Surface Dispense. My understanding is that there are some parameters we can adjust in the Liquid Editor (e.g., flow rate, air transport volume), while others are automatically managed by the firmware (e.g., acceleration, deceleration, etc.). Is that correct?
In other words, if I change the dispense mode in the Liquid Editor, does it actually affect how the dispense is performed, or is it only used for filtering and organizational purposes?
Still, I do not see in this guide if there are unique parameters that are inherently specific to the dispense type. In other words, if I create a liquid class JET EMPTY, with unique parameters, and I then create a SURFACE EMPTY with the exact same parameters, will the 2 liquid class be identical or are there some fundamental differences between the 2 that are managed by the system?
Jet and Surface inherently can not have the same parameters. If you look at the graph above, Jet dispense has a lot of blanked out settings that the firmware either manages itself or are not applicable. If you toggle the drop down between Jet and Surface when making the liquid class you will see these settings blank out.
Additionally, LLD is never on for jet dispense because ideally you are not touching the liquid in the well while dispensing. You’ll get a fun error if it is turned on so I guess that would also be a big firmware difference.
Christina’s guide is quite comprehensive, but to maybe answer your question directly: Jet and Surface (and Empty and Part) are not just filtering options, they set up a fundament for your liquid class that you won’t be able to deviate from.
The clearest example is mixing. You can not mix with a Jet liquid class, as it won’t touch the liquid on dispense by definition. If you try, you get a runtime error.
Thank you Patrick and Christina.
Yes, I understand what you mean, I will try to reformulate my question:
If I select surface: is there anything different the system will do or handle for me vs if I select jet?
I understand that selecting 1 mode activate or deactivate some options but I am more wondering if for instance, I select JET, will that use some parameters that I cannot control that were developped by Hamilton to generate a Jet stream vs a surface dispense?
There are no hidden features or settings. You gain the ability to change settings with one over the other. If, for the sake of argument, you consider a liquid class to just be aspiration and dispense speeds then yes, you can use a surface liquid class as jet and vice versa, as the ranges are identical, as far as I know. It’s just that the Jet liquid class basically won’t allow for any actions that result in touching liquid on dispense.
In my screenshot above you see a default aspiration with channels. For MPH this might look a bit different but the philosophy is the same. However interestingly the liquidclass will also “tell” the liquid handler the tip on that channel. As you see in my screenshot the Liquid Class is coming from an array. But for the argument, if you put your liquidclass here. The tip type and modes are correctly taken over.
The screenshot from @Christina is the one you should try to memorize. It contains all the basic allowed settings and modes.
Try opening a dispense step and look closely at the settings. Dispense mode is also interesting.
