Task List View (The Main View)

Provides organized and quick access to various major commands. See Menu Bar for more information.

Consists of buttons that enable you to run an experiment, open a task list, run the system priming, switch between views, and so on.

The Toolbar

From left to right, the toolbar consists of the following:

• Task List view button — Click this button to display the Task List view. The Task List page is open by default.

• RM Integration view button — Click this button to switch to the ROCK MAKER Integration page.

• Run Task List button — Click this button to start running the task list. It will only be enabled if you have added a task list to the Task List table or paused the running sequence. This button changes to a pause button when clicked.

• Stop button — Click this button to abort the running sequence. It is only available when you are running a task list.

• Home Motors button — This button sends the device arm to its default (home) position and fixes its position when the motor has skidded or skipped.

• Start System Priming button — Click this button to start and stop the priming process.

  Note: It is recommended to run a system priming when you first use the NT8 every day and after refilling the water carboy to ensure that there’s no air in the liquid lines.

• Eject LV Tips button — Click this button to eject the low volume (LV) tips attached to the hardware and dispose of them in the Waste Station.

• Eject HV Tips button — Click this button to eject the Plate Copy or high volume (HV) tips attached to the hardware and dispose of them.

• Move to Park Location 1 button — Moves the NT8's head to the waste station, so that you can load and unload plates and tip caddies, and interact with components on the right side of the stage.

• Move to Park Location 2 button — Moves the NT8 head to the HV tip caddy, so that you can interact with the protein block or other components on the left side of the stage.

• Move to Park Location 3 button — Moves the stage back into the NT8's body so that you can slide an HV tip caddy into the HV tip caddy station.

Device View, which makes up the majority of the Task List view, is a simulation of the various components on the NT8 deck.

Device View

Protein Source Station

Wash Station

Low Volume (LV) Tip Caddy Station

Plate Station 1

High Volume (HV) Tip Caddy Station

Waste Station

Plate Station 3

Plate Station 2

Deep Well Plate Station (plate copy only)

Task List Panel

When you create a task list or open one from the predefined task list templates, the details of the task list(s) or sequences will be displayed in the Task List table (see H in the image below). See the example below for reference.

Task List Panel

A progress bar will appear below the task list table to visually display the progress of the running dispense task.

A Progress Bar Under the Task List Table

The Task List panel also provides buttons to help you customize the sequences you have added, such as the Delay and Add Repeat Task buttons.

New Task List button — Click this button to create a new task list.

Note: When you create a new task list, any existing task list(s) in the Task List table will be removed and reset. Make sure to save your changes by clicking the Save Task List button.

Open Task List button — Click this button to open an existing task list.

Open Recent button — Click this button to open a recently used Task List.

Save Task List button— Click this button to save changes made to your task list.

Save Task List As button— Click this button to save changes made in your task list as an extension .XML file.

Note: Functions A, B, D, and E can also be accessed through the File menu.

Add Delay Task button — Click this button to add the desired delay time to your task list when you want the NT8 to pause at some points during the task list execution.

• Delay Duration — NT8 pauses at the desired delay time and continues running the experiment automatically. If you select this option, set the delay time in second(s).

• Wait for User’s Response — NT8 pauses and waits for your further action to continue or cancel the experiment.

  

  Wait for User’s Response Option

Add Repeat Task button — Repeat and End Repeat will appear on the task list when you click this button. Any tasks you place between these two commands will be repeated on each selected column of a plate.

Right-Click Menu Options

If you right-click on any items in the Task List table, you can:

• Manually edit the selected task in the Task Details window by selecting Edit. You can also directly edit a task by double-clicking it.

• Execute the normal copy, paste, cut and delete commands on all selected items at once. Press Ctrl + click to select non-consecutive items or press Shift + click to select consecutive items.

• Delete a task by selecting Delete. You can also delete a task by clicking on the task, then pressing the Delete key on your keyboard or clicking the Delete button.

• Change the order of execution by selecting Move Up or Move Down, to move the task up or down the list. You can also change the order by dragging the desired task to a different place in the list.

Humidifier Control Panel

All Humidifier-related settings can be found in the Humidifier Control panel, from activating the automatic humidifier feature to monitoring the humidity change history in real time. Find out more about the Humidifier Control panel here.

OPTIONAL: Liquid Cubic Phase (LCP) Syringe Control Panel

The LCP Syringe Control panel is only available if you purchase the NT8 with the LCP option.

LCP Syringe Control Panel

From top to bottom, the LCP Syringe Control panel provides you with the following options:

• Mix LCP button— Displays the Mixing LCP wizard. For more information, read Preparing LCP Samples.

• Setup Joystick Speed button— Adjusts the LCP syringe movement speed when using the manual lever.

• Calibrate LCP Syringe button— Calibrates the LCP syringe to ensure accurate dispense from the syringe. NT8 is equipped with a fully automated LCP syringe calibration feature. Contact FORMULATRIX support if you need with recalibration of the syringe.

Tip: These functions can also be accessed through the Device menu.