Using the Pipetting Parameters

Determines the height of the tip position (in millimeters) in the well during aspiration. The available options for the tip positions are:

• Below Liquid Surface - Choose this option to specify the tip position under the detected liquid surface level.

• Above Bottom of Well - Choose this option to specify a tip position above the bottom of the well.

  • Contact Detection* - Select this option to use contact sensing to detect the well bottom.
  • Labware Definition Calculation* - Select this option to locate the well bottom based on the pre-defined plate geometry.

*Available when you select the Above Bottom of Well option.

Determines whether the FLO i8 system will use new tips or reuse the existing tips for each aspiration in the current protocol execution. The available options are:

• Pick New Tips For Each Aspiration - Select this option to eject the current tips, and use new tips for each aspiration.

• Pick Tips For Same Stock - Prioritize Speed - Select this option to reuse the same tips for repeated transfers from the same source well. Up to 8 tips may be used to allow for multiple channels to function in parallel to optimize runtime while saving on tips.

• Pick Tips For Same Stock - Tips Saving - Select this option to reuse the same tip for repeated transfers from the same liquid source. Only a single tip will be used for each source well.

• Reuse Tips From Previous Pipetting Operation - Select this option to keep using the same tips from the previous transfer for each aspiration.

Determines the FLO i8 system to mix the liquid before aspirating it by defining the following settings:

1. Fill in the desired mixing volume in the Volume box, either in microliters or as a percentage of the total aspirate volume.

2. Then, define the number of mixing cycles.

3. Configure the mixing flow rate by choosing from the available options: Automatic or Custom (set the flow rate in µL/second).

Note: Sample mixing in FLO i8 is performed by aspirating and then dispensing the indicated volume. One mixing cycle refers to one complete aspiration and dispense process.

Determines the tip position in the well during mixing before aspirate. The available options for the tip positions are:

• Below Liquid Surface - Choose this option to start with a tip position {1 mm} under the liquid surface in the well.

• Above Bottom of Well - Choose this option to set the tip position {1 mm} above the well bottom.

During mixing before aspirate, there are also options for tip position you can choose in aspirate and dispense:

• Aspirate

  • The Dynamic Liquid Level Tracking option enables the tip position to follow the liquid surface level in the well.

  • The Labware Definition Tracking option allows the tips to adjust the position based on the predefined plate geometry. For use with non-conducting liquids.

• Dispense

  • Contact Detection** - Select this option to allow the FLO i8 system to detect the well bottom by using the collision sensor.

  • Labware Definition Calculation** - Select this option to allow the FLO i8 system to detect the well bottom based on the pre-defined plate geometry.

Note: The value in brackets is the default value used by the FLO i8 system, which is 1 mm. This value can be changed.

Determines the FLO i8 system to mix the liquid after dispensing it by defining the following settings:

1. Fill in the desired mixing volume in the Volume box, either in microliters or as a percentage of the total aspirate volume.

2. Then, define the number of mixing cycles.

3. Configure the mixing flow rate by choosing from the available options: Automatic or Custom (set the flow rate in µL/second).

Note: Sample mixing in FLO i8 is performed by aspirating and then dispensing the indicated volume. One mixing cycle refers to one complete aspiration and dispense process.

Determines the tip position in the well during mixing after dispense. The available options for the tip positions are:

• Below Liquid Surface - Choose this option to start with a tip position {1 mm} under the liquid surface in the well.

• Above Bottom of Well - Choose this option to set the tip position {1 mm} above the well bottom.

During mixing before aspirate, there are also options for tip position you can choose in aspirate and dispense:

• Aspirate

  • The Dynamic Liquid Level Tracking option enables the tip position to follow the liquid surface level in the well.

  • The Labware Definition Tracking option allows the tips to adjust the position based on the predefined plate geometry. For use with non-conducting liquids.

• Dispense

  • Contact Detection** - Select this option to allow the FLO i8 system to detect the well bottom by using the collision sensor.

  • Labware Definition Calculation** - Select this option to allow the FLO i8 system to detect the well bottom based on the pre-defined plate geometry.

Note: The value in brackets is the default value used by the FLO i8 system, which is 1 mm. This value can be changed.

Enable this option to aspirate air into the pipette tip after the liquid aspiration has finished. This option is useful to prevent the liquid from dripping and ensure more accurate dispense, especially when you are using volatile liquid.

Set the amount of Air Gap Volume in μL in the provided field, to be aspirated after the liquid aspiration process has been completed.

Enable this option to allow the FLO i8 system to perform a single aspiration, and then dispense into multiple destinations. This feature is useful to reduce tip use and save time in your experiment.

The Multi Dispense option will be automatically disabled if the Mixing After Dispense option under the Mixing tab is enabled.

Determines the tip position during dispense, at the side of well when it is enabled or centered in the well when it is disabled.

This option allows the FLO i8 system to pressurize the pipetting tip after dispensing, ensuring that all liquid in the tip has been completely evacuated from the tip. The available options are:

• Automatic: Select this option to enable the system to automatically define the volume of air flowing after dispense.

• Manual Override: Choose this option if you want to manually define the offset position in millimeters and air volume in μL for evacuation.

Important: For more accurate dispense, keep this option enabled, when the Side Dispense option is disabled.

Determines the pipetting flow rate in μL/second based on the liquid properties to optimize the transfers during the aspirate process.

Disable this option to allow the manual flow rate setup during the aspirate process by modifying the Aspirate Speed in the provided field.

Determines the pipetting flow rate in μL/second based on the liquid properties to optimize the transfers during the dispense process.

Disabled this option to allow the manual flow rate setup during the aspirate process by modifying the Aspirate Speed in the provided field.

Determines the FLO i8 system to mix the liquid before aspirating it by defining the following settings:

1. Fill in the desired mixing volume in the Volume box, either in microliters or as a percentage of the total aspirate volume.

2. Then, define the number of mixing cycles.

3. Configure the mixing flow rate by choosing from the available options: Automatic or Custom (set the flow rate in µL/second).

Note: Sample mixing in FLO i8 is performed by aspirating and then dispensing the indicated volume. One mixing cycle refers to one complete aspiration and dispense process.

Determines the FLO i8 system to mix the liquid after dispensing it by defining the following settings:

1. Fill in the desired mixing volume in the Volume box, either in microliters or as a percentage of the total aspirate volume.

2. Then, define the number of mixing cycles.

3. Configure the mixing flow rate by choosing from the available options: Automatic or Custom (set the flow rate in µL/second).

Note: Sample mixing in FLO i8 is performed by aspirating and then dispensing the indicated volume. One mixing cycle refers to one complete aspiration and dispense process.