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You are here: Using the FLO i8 System : Concepts : Error Recovery

Error Recovery

When you encounter an error during a protocol execution, FLO i8 provides options for recovery. You can find the detailed information about each error and the recovery procedure in the following sections.

ClosedPipetting Errors

Pipetting errors relate to any issues occurring on pipetting channels and tips during protocol executions. Three common pipetting errors are Clog Detection, Air Aspiration, and Pipetting Time Out. Whenever the FLO i8 system detects any of these errors, the running protocol will automatically pause. Subsequently, a recovery window named Pipetting Error Detection pops up on your screen, containing error details and recovery options for you to choose from.

Pipetting Error Detection Window

The window provides information related to the occurring error, such as source name, well, volume in the tip, expected volume, status, and recovery options. EXECUTE and ABORT action buttons are also available for you to choose after selecting the recovery option for the pipetting errors.

The descriptions of the Pipetting Error Detection window are available in the table below.

Item Description
Source Name The stock name or source well that encountered error during protocol execution.
Well The well position where the pipetting error occurred.
Volume in the tip The actual liquid volume inside the tips that encountered the error.
Expected Volume The liquid volume that is expected to be aspirated or dispensed by the tips.
Status

The error type followed by the execution status when the error occurred (e.g. Pipetting Time Out - Dispense).

Note: Error type and execution status determine the list of recovery options available on the window.
Recovery Options

The list of recovery options you can choose to handle the pipetting errors. The list differs according to the error status.

Tip: If you want to see the description of the recovery options, drag and hover your cursor to each option. A screen tip containing the recovery description will appear.

Hover Your Cursor to the Recovery Option

Note: Resulting source refers to a source created by the combination of two or more sources in a single well.
EXECUTE The system runs the recovery option you select.
ABORT

The system ejects the tips and stops the running protocol without doing any error recovery procedure. When you click the ABORT button, a message will pop up to ensure your decision in aborting the protocol.

Abort Message

Please check the following sections to find out more about each pipetting error type.

ClosedClog Detection

The system senses clog in tips (e.g. clumps, or other solid substances) while aspirating, dispensing, or mixing liquid. Clogs block the liquid flow, resulting in failure to aspirate or dispense the full commanded volume.

When the system detects clogging, the Pipetting Error Detection window pops up to provide detailed information about the error. Select an option from the Recovery Options list to handle the issue. You can choose different options in the event that multiple clogs are detected.

Clog Detection Recovery Window

The recovery options are provided differently according to the Status (e.g. Clog Detection - Aspirate) in which the error occurs . The statuses are aspirate, dispense, mixing before aspirate, mixing after dispense, and dispense (multi dispense). You can find the error recovery options for each status below.

ClosedClog Detection - Aspirate

Clog can occur when the tips aspirate liquid from the source well. When the error occurs, there are seven recovery options available for you to choose from, including Continue Anyway, Recover & Retry, Eject & Retry, Recover & Skip Source, Skip Source, Recover Source and Skip Affected Source, and Skip Source and Skip Affected Source.

ClosedClog Detection - Dispense

The flow of liquid during dispense to the destination well can be disrupted by clogs. To solve the issue, you can choose four recovery options, including Continue Anyway, Retry, Skip Source, and Skip Source and Skip Affected Source.

ClosedClog Detection - Mixing Before Aspirate

Clogging in the tips can also occur during the mixing before aspirate process as the system conducts sample mixing cycles. See the Using the Pipetting Parameters topic to find out more about Mixing.

There are seven recovery options available for this particular error. The options are Continue Anyway, Recover & Retry, Eject & Retry, Recover & Skip Source, Skip Source, Recover Source and Skip Affected Source, and Skip Source and Skip Affected Source.

ClosedClog Detection - Mixing After Dispense

Similar to mixing before dispense, clogging can be detected during the mixing after dispense process when the pipettes mix sample stocks. See the Using the Pipetting Parameters topic to find out more about Mixing.

There are four recovery options available for mixing after dispense status, including Continue Anyway, Retry, Skip Source, and Skip Source and Skip Affected Source.

ClosedClog Detection - Dispense (Multi Dispense)

The multi dispense setting is aimed to dispense liquid from one single tip to multiple destinations. If the clogging occurs, the liquid volume dispensed from one tip that is supposed to be distributed equally to multiple destinations becomes unevenly distributed.

The available recovery options are Continue Anyway, Skip Source, and Skip Source and Skip Affected Source.

After selecting the recovery option(s) according to the clogging status, you can proceed to select EXECUTE. Or you can forgo recovery and end the protocol by selecting ABORT.

ClosedAir Aspiration

The system senses unexpected aspiration of air. This can occur if there are bubbles in the source, or if the end of the tip is not submerged in the liquid.

The FLO i8 system automatically pauses any task whenever it detects air entering the tips. You can see the details of the occurring Air Aspiration in the recovery window that pops up after the protocol is paused.

Air Aspiration Recovery Window

The Pipetting Error Detection window provides the details of the Air Aspiration error. The icon in the Volume in the tip indicates that the stated volume may not be accurate due to the presence of air.

Subsequently, the provided recovery options for this error depends on the execution status in which the error happens, as seen in the Status column (e.g. Air Aspiration - Aspirate). The statuses are aspirate, mixing before aspirate, and mixing after dispense. The following sections provide the lists of Air Aspiration recovery options according to the error status.

ClosedAir Aspirate - Aspirate

There are seven recovery options available for this error status, including Continue Anyway, Recover & Retry, Eject & Retry, Recover & Skip Source, Skip Source, Recover Source and Skip Affected Source, and Skip Source and Skip Affected Source.

ClosedAir Aspirate - Mixing Before Aspirate

In mixing before aspirate process, air can also be aspirated during the sample mixing cycles. While setting up the mixing before aspirate, you are required to fill the liquid volume you want to mix. If Air Aspiration occurs, the mixed liquid volume becomes inaccurate. See the Using the Pipetting Parameters topic to find out more about Mixing.

The recovery options for Air Aspiration during mixing before aspirate are Continue Anyway, Recover & Retry, Eject & Retry, Recover & Skip Source, Skip Source, Recover Source and Skip Affected Source, and Skip Source and Skip Affected Source.

ClosedAir Aspirate - Mixing After Dispense

Similar to mixing before aspirate, air aspiration can occur when the pipettes mix sample stocks. See the Using the Pipetting Parameters topic to find out more about Mixing.

There are four recovery options available for this particular status, including Continue Anyway, Retry, Skip Source, and Skip Source and Skip Affected Source.

After selecting the recovery option according to the status in which Air Aspiration occurs, you can proceed to select EXECUTE or ABORT.

ClosedPipetting Time Out

Pipetting Time Out occurs when it takes longer than the estimated time to execute a pipetting task. When Pipetting Time Out occurs, the Pipetting Error Detection window appears with recovery options to fix it.

Pipetting Time Out Recovery Window

The recovery options are provided according to the system status when an error occurs. Pipetting Time Out usually occurs during aspirate, dispense, mixing before aspirate, and mixing after dispense. To find the error status, you can take a look at the Status column in the Pipetting Error Detection window.

The lists of recovery options for each status are available in the following sections.

ClosedPipetting Time Out - Aspirate

The pipetting channels can aspirate liquid from the source well longer than the expected time, resulting in Pipetting Time Out. There are seven recovery options you can choose, including Continue Anyway, Recover & Retry, Eject & Retry, Recover & Skip Source, Skip Source, Recover Source and Skip Affected Source, and Skip Source and Skip Affected Source.

ClosedPipetting Time Out - Dispense

The pipetting channels can take longer in dispensing liquid to the destination well, triggering Pipetting Time Out. The available recovery options for this particular status are Continue Anyway, Retry, Skip Source, and Skip Source and Skip Affected Source.

ClosedPipetting Time Out - Mixing Before Aspirate

Pipetting Time Out can also occur when the tips are conducting a mixing cycle before the aspirate process. See the Using the Pipetting Parameters topic to find out more about Mixing.

The error recovery options you can choose are Continue Anyway, Recover & Retry, Eject & Retry, Recover & Skip Source, Skip Source, Recover Source and Skip Affected Source, and Skip Source and Skip Affected Source.

ClosedPipetting Time Out - Mixing After Dispense

Similar to the mixing before aspirate status, Pipetting Time Out during mixing after dispense happens when the tips are carrying out the mixing cycle for sample stock. See the Using the Pipetting Parameters topic to find out more about Mixing.

This particular status provides four recovery options, such as Continue Anyway, Retry, Skip Source, and Skip Source and Skip Affected Source.

After selecting the recovery option according to the error status, you can choose EXECUTE or ABORT.

ClosedInsufficient Source Volume

The FLO i8 can detect when there is not enough volume in the source well to complete the aspiration. All tasks will automatically pause as Insufficient Source Volume Recovery window appears. You can compare the Aspirated Volume with the Volume Needed, as well as selecting the recovery option for the issue.

Insufficient Source Volume Recovery Window

The recovery options available are Continue Anyway, Recover & Retry, Eject & Retry, Recover & Skip Source, Skip Source, Recover Source and Skip Affected Source, and Skip Source and Skip Affected Source.

After selecting the recovery option for the Insufficient Volume issue, you can choose EXECUTE or ABORT.

ClosedRefilling or Replacing the Source Labware

Eject & Retry Recovery Option That Requires Source Refill

When you select Recover & Retry or Eject & Retry, you are required to refill or replace the insufficient source labware. You can complete the recovery procedure through the following steps.

  1. Select the recovery options you prefer for each insufficient source liquid on the Insufficient Source Volume Recovery window.
  2. Take a look at the message under the table. You can find the type and the slot position of the liquid source labware that requires refills.
  3. Open the instrument door. The deck will move closer for you to easily reach the labware.
  4. Take the labware and refill the source liquid according to the volume of your protocol design.
  5. Place the labware back in the deck slot. Then, close the instrument door.
  6. Click the EXECUTE button.
  7. Wait for the system to validate the labware position. If the labware is placed correctly, the recovery procedure will continue based on the option you choose.
ClosedCollision

Actuator Error Message Due to Collision

Collision refers to unexpected impact to one or more pipetting channels. Two common contacts contributing to collisions are contact with labware and contact by the user.

To handle collision issues, you can choose to CONTINUE, EJECT, and ABORT. Find the detailed description of each action in the following table.

Action Description
CONTINUE Continue the execution without recovering the occurring error by skipping the execution sequence.
EJECT Eject the tip with errors to the waste bin, pick up a new tip, and retry the protocol execution.
ABORT Stop and end all protocol execution without doing any recovery procedure.
ClosedActuator Error

Actuator error occurs due to multiple factors, such as:

When there is an error in the instrument actuator, the protocol is automatically paused. A banner message appears at the top of the virtual deck with recovery options you can choose according to the severity of the error.

There are three types of error messages for three different error severity, namely recoverable motor error, collision, and actuator fatal error. Each is elaborated in the following sections.

ClosedRecoverable motor error

Recoverable motor error covers errors that do not disable the system from operating, so the issue can be immediately handled. An error message, as well as the RETRY and ABORT buttons, are available for you to handle the issue. The description of each option is available in the following table.

Retry Button in a Motor Error Message

Action Description
RETRY Clicking the RETRY button instructs the system to conduct homing and clean up procedures. After the recovery process, the system continues the protocol execution.
ABORT ABORT button is available in any actuator error. It instructs the system to stop all protocol execution without doing any recovery procedure.
ClosedCollision

In some cases, Collision can cause actuator error, specifically when the contacts are too harsh or the collisions occur in multiple pipetting channels. Due to the collision, the actuator encounters emergency stops that result in a motor error. If you still see the RETRY button, the actuator might be able to be recovered.

However, the recovery tends to fail if the collision causes a fatal error. The available options are to close the running protocol and report the issue to support at support@formualtrix.com.

ClosedFatal error

Fatal error covers unrecoverable actuator errors that disable the instrument from operating. It requires you to contact our support team through support@formulatrix.com. The error codes for fatal actuator errors are usually ActuatorEncoderError, ActuatorMecNoMove, ActuatorEnableFailed, ActuatorUnknownError, ActuatorIllegalPos, ActuatorNotReady, and more.

Actuator Fatal Error Message

In the error message, you can find some buttons that direct the system to take action regarding the issues. The buttons are REPORT and CLOSE. The details are listed below.

Action Description
REPORT

Clicking the REPORT button directs you to the report of protocol execution history, pipetting profile details, and execution time.

How to Access Protocol Report Button
CLOSE

Clicking the CLOSE button will close the runtime without any recovery procedure. The error message still appears at the bottom of your Protocol Editor if the issue is not resolved.

Fatal Error Message in Protocol Editor

As an early measure to handle the issue, you are suggested to restart the FLO i8 instrument manually by switching the instrument’s power button off, then switching back to on.

Restart Suggestion in the Actuator Fatal Error Message

ClosedTips Error

Tips error occurs when the system runs out of tips during protocol execution or when an incorrect tip type is on the deck. The explanation of each error case and the recovery procedure is covered in the two following sections.

ClosedRunning out of tips during protocol execution.

An error message appears when the system detects there are not enough tips on the deck to continue the protocol execution.

The error message will appear whenever the tips run out, consisting of the deck position number, the type of the tip, and the remaining amount of tips needed.

Insufficient Tips Error Message

The empty tip boxes have to be replaced with the full ones. You can follow the listed steps in changing the tip box.

  1. Open the instrument door. Then, take out the empty tip box and replace it with a new one on the deck.
  2. Close the instrument door and wait for the instrument to validate the labware positions. If you place the new tip box on the wrong deck slot, or you still put insufficient tips on the deck, the protocol cannot be continued. Please do the following suggestions.
    1. Take a look at the Preparing Required Labware page. The slot with the red highlight indicates the inaccurate tip box position. While the slot with the blue highlight is where the tip box is supposed to be put.

      Tip Box Position Error on Preparing Required Labware Page

    2. Open the instrument door. Then, move the tip box to the slot with the blue highlight.
    3. Close the door again and wait for the instrument to validate labware positions.
  3. If the system can validate that the tip box with the required tips number is positioned according to the correct slot, the protocol is automatically resumed.
ClosedPlacing incorrect tip type on deck.

The FLO i8 system can detect when a tip box on the deck does not match the expected type. In designing a protocol, the FLO i8 system calculates the liquid volume with the number of tips needed according to the tip type. You can see the tip types recommendation on the Preparing Required Labware page.

When you place the incorrect tip type, the system cannot proceed to execute the protocol after you click the RUN button. The Incorrect Tip Type window will appear on the screen to provide information about expected tip types and the ones detected by the system.

Incorrect Tip Type Window

Simultaneously, placing incorrect tip types can also happen when replacing empty tip boxes in the middle of protocol execution. The Incorrect Tip Type window will pop up when the system attempts to validate the replaced tip boxes and finds the unmatched tip types.

To handle the issue, follow the tutorial of changing incorrect tips on the deck below.

  1. Take a look at the Expected Tip and Detected Tip columns on the Incorrect Tip Type window to see which tip types and boxes should be replaced.
  2. Under the table, select the checkbox of the tip type you actually have.

    Note: The system can recalculate the expected tip numbers according to the tip type you have.

  3. Click the CONFIRM button. Wait for the system to update the tip type.
  4. Open the instrument door. Replace the incorrect tip box with the tip box containing the recommended tip types.
  5. See the Preparing Required Labware page to place the tip boxes on the correct deck slot.
  6. Close the instrument door. Click the GO button.

 

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