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Using the Options Menu

Modify the dispense values and chip configurations by accessing the Options window under the Tools menu.

The available settings are under the following tabs:

Dispense Options
Chip Configuration
Advanced

Important: Advanced settings should be used by support technicians only. Please do not alter the options under the Advanced tab unless you are under guidance of a FORMULATRIX support person.

Dispense Options Tab

To ensure that you modify the correct settings, verify the User Data Location and Protocol name fields.

You can change the root path location of your preferred User Data from the User Data Location box. To do so, click the browse button , and select the folder you desire, or click the Make New Folder button to create new storage. The current protocol name will then be displayed in the Protocol name.

User Data Location and Protocol Name

The Dispense Options tab includes seven groups of settings which contain various options:

Prime and Dispense

Prime and Dispense Settings

Note: The Prime and Dispense settings will only display the prime volume options based on the input selection (tube or pipette) in the Input Control Panel.

Option	Default Setting	Description
Tubing Length	12” (304.8 mm)	Determines the tubing length (in millimeters). TEMPEST will suggest the prime volume and pre-dispense volume values based on the tubing length.
Recirculate Prime Volume for HV Chip**	2004.0	Determines the reagent(s) volume (in microliters) used for tube to prime the input tubing and the High Volume chip before dispensing. A thorough prime ensures that there is no air in the chip.
Trailing Prime to Waste (nozzle prime) for HV per Nozzle**	3.0	Determines a specific reagent(s) volume (in microliters) that each nozzle of the High Volume chip will prime to waste after all standard prime events. This fills the nozzles with reagent ahead of the dispense.
Recirculate Prime Volume for LV Chip*	400.8	Determines the reagent(s) volume (in microliters) used for tube to prime the tubing and the Low Volume chip before dispensing, ensuring there is no air in the chip.
Trailing Prime to Waste (nozzle prime) for LV per Nozzle*	3.0	Determines a specific reagent(s) volume (in microliters) that each nozzle of the Low Volume chip will prime to waste after all standard prime events. This fills the nozzles with reagent ahead of the dispense.
Pipette Tip Prime Volume for HV Chip (To Waste)**	3.0	Determines the reagent(s) volume (in microliters) to be used to prime to pipette tip for High Volume chip. Note: This option is available only when a pipette tip is attached to one of the reagent inputs.
Pipette Tip Prime Volume for LV Chip (To Waste)*	3.0	Determines the reagent(s) volume (in microliters) to be used to prime to pipette tip for Low Volume chip. Note: This option is available only when a pipette tip is attached to one of the reagent inputs.
Pre-Dispense Volume for HV Chip per nozzle**	12.0	Determines the reagent(s) volume (in microliters) that will prime to waste before the first plate or before each plate. This should be one pulse of each diaphragm for best CV's (6 µL for HV).
Pre-Dispense Volume for LV Chip per nozzle*	24.0	Determines the reagent(s) volume (in microliters) that will prime to waste before the first plate or before each plate. This should be one pulse of each diaphragm for best CV's (1.2 µL for LV).
Pre-Dispense Options	For All Plates	Enables the prime to waste to be performed before the first plate or before all plates dispensed.
Use Min SD Pumps Parameter in Pre-dispense	No	Enables you to use the minimum small diaphragm pumps parameter during pre-dispense.
Pull Air Gap	None	Enables you to retract the remaining reagent from the nozzle.
Pull Air Gap on Idle Timeout (minutes)	0.0	Determines the duration of idle time before TEMPEST pulls the air gap.
Prime after pull air gap	Enable	Determines whether or not the chip is priming after retracting the remaining reagent from the nozzle. Note: This option is hidden when the Pull Air Gap option is set to None.
Plate Orientation	Default	Determines whether the plates have been rotated for devices integrated with TEMPEST.
Always Prime Before Dispense	No	Primes the chip automatically before each new dispensing process.
Plate Loading Location	Left Port	Determines a particular plate load location from the list. You may choose Left Port or Right Port.
Plate Unloading Location	Right Port	Determines particular plate unload location from the list. You may select Left Port or Right Port. Note: Load and unload locations should not be the same when using stackers.
First Dispense Diaphragm	Small	Determines whether small or large diaphragm will dispense first.
Ignore Pressure/Vacuum Drop	No	Used for running the TEMPEST without pressure vacuum or pumpbox. Note: This option is usually for the TEMPEST demo.

*This option is available only when a Low Volume chip is assigned to the input source.

**This option is available only when a High Volume chip is assigned to the input source.

Recovery and Wash

Recovery and Wash Settings

Option	Default Setting	Description
Pre-Wash Recovery Volume (µL)	0.0	Determines the recovery volume used before the washing process.
Wash Station 1	Water	Determines the liquid used for Wash Station 1. You may choose either Water or Wash Solution.
Wash 1 Liquid Class	Default(Wash)	Determines the liquid class for the liquid used in Wash Station 1.
Wash Volume (µL)	2000.0	Determines the wash volume (in microliters) of liquid in Wash Station 1 and Wash Station 2. Note: This option is available when the Wash Station 1 and Wash Station 2 options are set to the same liquid.
Wash Volume 1 (µL)	2000.0	Determines the wash volume (in microliters) of liquid in Wash Station 1.
Wash Station 2	Wash Solution	Determines the liquid used for Wash Station 2. You may choose either Water or Wash Solution. For best results, use water in Wash Station 2. Note: Some TEMPEST hardware V1 builds may not support dual column wash stations.
Wash 2 Liquid Class	Default(Wash)	Determines the liquid class for the liquid used in Wash Station 2.
Wash Volume 2 (µL)	2000.0	Determines the volume (in microliters) of liquid in Wash Station 2.
3-Step Wash (Water-Wash Solution-Water)	Enabled	Determines whether or not the TEMPEST washes its liquid lines with water, then wash solution, then again with water.
Wash Volume 3-Water (µL) *	2000.0	Determines the volume used for the final water wash for the 3-step wash process.
Post-Wash Recovery Volume	1000.0	Determines the volume of liquid (in microliters) to be recovered after the washing process.
Manual Recovery Volume	1000.0	Determines the volume of liquid (in microliters) to be recovered during the manual reagent recovery process.
Recovery Liquid Class	1-2 cP	Assigns dispense settings based on reagent viscosity to optimize the recovery process. More viscous fluids will require a higher recovery liquid class to better remove fluid from the chip. You can select the available liquid class by default, including 1-2 cP, 3-8 cP, 9-15 cP, 16-20 cP, Default (Recovery), as well as the predefined liquid class of your preference.
Prompt wash after dispense	No	Determines whether TEMPEST will prompt you to wash all of the inputs after the scan and dispense process completes, eliminating the need to manually execute the Wash All inputs function.

*Select 3-Step Wash (Water-Wash Solution-Water) option to enable the feature.

Recirculate

Recirculate Settings

Option	Default Setting	Description
Recirculate Enable	No	Enables the TEMPEST to recirculate reagents when it is in idle mode, to mix or circulate reagents through the chips.
Recirculate Timeout (minutes)*	1	Determines the duration of idle time before TEMPEST triggers a recirculation event.
Timing Based on ...*	Machine Idle	If Machine Idle is selected, the timer will reset when the entire system sitsidle. If Input Idle is selected, the timer will reset when any individual input sits idle.
Recirculate Type*	Recirculate Prime	Determines whether reagents are recycled into the tube (Recirculate Prime) or dispensed into the waste station (Prime to Waste).
Recirculate When Plate On Stage*	No	Determines whether or not the TEMPEST recirculates reagents during delay when plates are on stage. Set to Yes to allow recirculating with plates on stage. Set No to only allow recirculating when no plate is active on the stage.
Prime to Waste when Idle*	No	Determines whether or not the TEMPEST while prime to waste after an idle period.

Stacker*

Stacker Settings

* Available only for TEMPEST with plate stackers.

Option	Default Setting	Description
Use Plate Stacker	No	Enables the use of the TEMPEST plate stackers.
Use First and Last Plate as Lids*	No	Enables you to use the first and last plate in the loading stacker as lids during dispense. If you select Yes, TEMPEST will skip the first and the last plate. Note: You must specify the number of plates to dispense, excluding the two plates as lids. If you are using the Smart Batch Delay mode, you can use the Dispense All Plates option.
Dispense All Plates*	No	Dispense all plates automatically until the stacker is empty. Note: Hidden unless Use First and Last Plate as Lids is set to No.
Number of Plates to Dispense*	1	Determines the number of plates to be dispensed by TEMPEST after you click the Run Dispense button . Note: Hidden unless Dispense All Plates is set to No.
Stacker Loading Location*	Left Port	Determines which stacker plates have been loaded into for dispense.
Time Delay Between Plate (s)*	0	Determines the length of time in seconds that a dispense will start after the previous dispense has finished.
Restack To Source*	No	Determines whether or not any of your plates are restacked to the load stacker after dispense.
Restack All Plates*	No	Restack all plates automatically to the load stacker after dispense. Note: Hidden unless Restack To Source is set to Yes.
Number of Plates to Restack*	1	Determines the number of plates to be restacked to the load stacker after dispense. Note: Hidden unless Restack To All Plates is set to No.
Prime Between Plates*	No	Enables reagent priming before the pre-dispense and dispense into each plate, to prevent air bubbles and to maintain dispense volume accuracy.

* Hidden unless Use Plate Stacker is set to Yes.

Scan Barcode and Dispense

Scan Barcode and Dispense Settings

Option	Default Setting	Description
Email (Separated by comma)		Determines the email address to which the dispensing report will be sent after a dispense is finished or aborted.
Use Barcode	No	Enables the use of the TEMPEST barcode scanner. Note: The Use Barcode option is only available for TEMPEST instruments with barcode scanners.
Smart Batch Delay Using Barcode*	No	Enables you to dispense multiple reagents to multiple plates, and restack the plates during a delay period.
Barcode Action*	Load Dispense List	Determines how the TEMPEST interprets a barcode. If "Load Dispense List" is selected, the TEMPEST will open the dispense list associated with the barcode. If "Log Barcode" is selected, the TEMPEST will record barcodes in the dispense log file. Note: Hidden unless Smart Batch Delay Using Barcode is set to No.
Action If Barcode Failed*	Skip	Determines the action to be performed by the TEMPEST when a scanning error occurs. The TEMPEST can either skip to the next plate in the stacker or abort the scanning process. Note: Hidden unless Smart Batch Delay Using Barcode is set to No.
Num of Tries Barcode Scanner*	3	Determines how many times the barcode scanner will attempt to read a barcode label before announcing an error.

*Hidden unless Use Barcode is set to Yes.

Multi Dispense Run

Multi Dispense Run Settings

Option	Default Setting	Description
Run Multi Dispense List	No	Determines whether or not TEMPEST runs multi dispense lists. When enabled, TEMPEST will run multiple dispense lists for pre-defined batches of plates. For more information, see Executing Multi-Plate, Multi Dispense List. Note: This option is hidden when the Use Plate Stacker option is set to No.

Continuous Flow*

Continuous Flow Setting

Option	Default Setting	Description
Pre-Dispense Volume (µL)	50	Sets the reagent volume to dispense to the waste station immediately before dispensing to the plate.
Prime Volume (µL)	2500	The reagent volume used to fill the input tubing and chip fluid channels prior to a dispense. Purges air from the fluid path.
Reagent Recovery Volume (µL)	4500	The reagent volume pumped backwards through the chip and into the source reservoir after a dispense.
Wash Volume (µL)	2000	Defines the wash solution volume used to wash the CF chip after dispense.
Release Pressure After All Dispense (µL)	☑	Determines whether the CF bottle pressure will be maintained or released after the dispense execution. Maintaining pressure allows multiple dispenses without re-priming the chip.

*This option is available if the Continuous Flow license is activated.

Chip Configuration Tab

There are two sections in the Chip Configuration tab:

Current Chips

Before designing a dispense, you will need to configure the chip information you want to use, such as chip type, and chip’s serial number. Then, the chip’s installation date and lifetime cycle status are automatically tracked and listed in the table.

Current Chips Section under the Chip Configuration Tab

The assigned chip status in the Input Control Panel are as follow:
- The Error icon means that you haven’t assigned any chip in the Input Control Panel.
- The Warning icon indicates that your assigned chip has incorrect serial number format.
  
  The Assigned Chip Indicator
Click the Show Detailed Information option under the chip information table to show detailed values for Purge Cycles, Fill Cycles, Small Diaphragm Cycles, Large Diaphragm, and Output Cycles.

Show Detailed Information

To automatically move the dispense head to the install position, click the Move to Install Chip Position option. This allows easy access for users to install, remove, or adjust seating up TEMPEST chips.

Important: Make sure to always click Save to save any changes before closing the Options window.
Chip Dispense History

The Chip Dispense History section displays the chip dispense cycle count information. From this section, you can download the chip dispense history file in .PDF format. This export can encompass the entire chip history or chip usage over a particular period of time. For more information, read Exporting the Chip Dispense History.

Chip Dispense History Section under the Chip Configuration Tab

Advanced Tab

Important: Advanced options should be used by support engineers and advanced users only. Please do not alter the options under the Advanced tab unless you are operating under the guidance of a FORMULATRIX support person.

To access advanced settings, go to the Tools menu, select Options and click on the Advanced tab.

Advanced Tab

Click the topics below to see more detailed explanations.

Concentration Normalization

Option	Description
Well Number Increments By	Determines the well numbering convention by selecting either Row or Column.

Device Settings

Option	Description
Pressure Alarm	Determines the pressure limit value. If the current pressure value is less than the default limit value, the TEMPEST will sound an alarm and abort the dispensing process.
Vacuum Alarm	Determines the vacuum limit value. If the current vacuum value is less than the default limit value, the TEMPEST will sound an alarm and abort the dispensing process.
Is Pressure Vacuum Alarm Enable	Determines whether the pressure and vacuum alarms are enabled or disabled. Set into True to enable the alarms.
Min Travel in X Axis	Determines the minimum travel value of the X axis.
Max Travel in X Axis	Determines the maximum travel value of the X axis.
Min Travel in Y Axis	Determines the minimum travel value of the Y axis.
Max Travel in Y Axis	Determines the maximum travel value of the Y axis.
Min Travel in Z Axis	Determines the minimum travel value of the Z axis.
Max Travel in Z Axis	Determines the maximum travel value along the Z axis.
Wash Station Position	Determines the wash station position in the first column. This position is configurable depending on the wash station type (single or double column) and can be set by entering necessary numbers into each axis field. The list provides Get the current position and Move to position options.
Waste Station Position	Determines the waste position in the first input column. The waste station is used to hold the pre-dispense, nozzle prime, and prime to nozzle (if a pipette tip is used) waste volume.
Wash Station Z Drop	Determines the height clearance necessary for the wash inputs to safely move to the next input column. This will ensure that the TEMPEST will properly wash the chips.
Left Port Position	Determines the X, Y, and Z coordinates of the plate holder position when it is at the left port.
Right Port Position	Determines the X, Y, and Z coordinates of the plate holder position when it is at the right port.
Plate Stacker Left Position*	Determines the X, Y, and Z coordinates of the plate stacker position on the left. Note: Available only for TEMPEST with plate stackers.
Plate Stacker Left Position*	Determines the X, Y, and Z coordinates of the plate stacker position on the right. Note: Available only for TEMPEST with plate stackers.
Pneumatic System on Startup	Determines the automated regulators and solenoids check at the software start-up.

Dispense Settings

Option	Description
Update Sequence Editor During Dispense	Controls the software user interface when running sequences. Select “True” if you want to view each sequence process. Select “False” if you want to hide the process.

Dispense List Settings

Option	Default Setting	Description
Dispense List Auto Load	False	Set this option to True to automatically load a dispense list of your choice every time you launch the TEMPEST software.
Dispense List File Name	Empty	Select a dispense list to be automatically loaded every time you launch the TEMPEST software. This option is only available when the Auto Load Dispense List option is set to True.

Integration Service (IS)

Option	Description
Integration Service Base Address	The API Service host address. Define the Integration Service Base Address and port used to receive API commands.
Integration Service Base Address Duplex	The API Duplex service host address. Define the Integration Service Address and port for Duplex communication. This allows the TEMPEST to push error notifications to connected client systems.
Service Remote Start	Determines the setting for the integration service to run as a background process. The default setting is Deny. Allow — Allows the TEMPEST IS to be remotely started or stopped from connected clients. Deny — Denies remote access to the TEMPEST IS. Ask — Asks you to allow or deny remote access to the TEMPEST IS.
Show Main UI During Integration Service	Determines whether or not the TEMPEST software main UI to remain visible while running the system via Integration Service. Set this option to True to keep the main UI appearing on your computer screen.

Scan and Dispense

Option	Default Setting	Description
Barcode Reader Velocity in X Axis	300	Determines the velocity value of stage movement along the X axis when reading the plate barcode.
Barcode Reader Velocity in Z Axis	50	Determines the velocity value of stage movement along the Z axis when reading the plate barcode.
Barcode Start Position*	X 0 Y 0 Z 0	Determines the X, Y, and Z position where the barcode laser starts reading a plate barcode.
Barcode Stop Position*	X 0 Y 0 Z 0	Determines the X, Y, and Z position where the barcode laser stops reading a plate barcode.

*You can tune the barcode laser’s start and stop positions from the Barcode Position Editor in the Tools menu.

Security

Option	Description
Password protected settings	Determines whether the security mode will be activated.
Password	Determines the security password used.
Backup Email Address	Determines the email address for the security backup.

Smart Pump Box Settings

Option	Default Setting	Description
Support Smart Pump Box	False	Select this option to True to automatically turn off the pump box controller when the TEMPEST instrument is in idle mode and turn it back on when the TEMPEST instrument is active. This feature is only available with the new Smart Pump Box device (V3).

Support Settings

Option	Description
MailTo	Determines the email address to which error notifications will be sent.
IsNotifyImmediately	Determines whether the system will automatically send an email notification to FORMULATRIX team support, in the event of an error.
SMTPServer	Determines the SMTP server associated with your email address.
SMTPPort	Determines the SMTP port number associated with your email address.
SMTPUserName	Determines the SMTP user name associated with your email address.
SMTPPassword	Determines the SMTP password used.
SMTPEnableSSL	Enables you to choose if your SMTP server supports SSL.
AttachLogFile	Enables the system to send zipped log files via email.
ShowSMTPWarning	Shows the SMTP warning in the event of an error.

Note: Click Save when you are finished managing your data configuration setting on the Options menu.

Important: To restore the default settings value as needed, click the Restore Default Values button, and then click Yes to continue. Always check and save the protocol with a different name to ensure any previously modified settings are saved, especially if the protocol may be used for future experiments.

Using the Options Menu

Dispense Options Tab

Chip Configuration Tab

Advanced Tab

Related Topics