Bravo Automated Liquid-Handling Platform User Guide

1 Introduction to the Bravo Platform

Pipette heads and pin tools

Pipette heads and pin tools

About this topic

The Bravo Platform uses interchangeable pipette heads and pin tools. This topic describes the disposable- tip and fixed- tip pipette heads.

The Bravo 96AM Head is designed for running protocols that use the

AssayMAP Bravo cartridges. For details on the Bravo 96AM Head, see “Bravo

96AM Head overview” on page 183

.

The Bravo Platform can also mount a variety of pin tools for performing lowvolume transfers of fixed volumes. Contact Customer Service for details.

Disposable-tip pipette heads

Disposable- tip pipette heads allow you to change pipette tips during a run to prevent cross- contamination. The Series III 96- and 384- barrel pipette heads can dispense fluid into all the wells in a microplate simultaneously or into a single column, single row, or single well in the microplate. The Series III pipette heads are shipped with the Bravo Platform.

12 Bravo Automated Liquid-Handling Platform User Guide

1 Introduction to the Bravo Platform

Pipette heads and pin tools

The Series III pipette heads can use large transfer (LT) tips to dispense up to

250 µL per well or small transfer (ST) tips to dispense up to 70 µL per well.

The following table lists the Series III pipette heads available for the Bravo

Platform.

Head type Max volume Dispense into…

96LT

250 µL

96- well, 384- well microplates; single column

(8 wells) or row (12 wells)

96ST

70 µL

384ST

70 µL

96- well, 384- well, 1536- well microplates; single column (8 wells) or row (12 wells)

384- well, 1536- well microplates; single column

(16 wells) or row (24 wells)

IMPORTANT

The microplate compatibility and maximum volume for a given pipette head is tip dependent, for example, the ST 70 µL tip is not compatible with a 1536- well microplate. For more details on the tips available for each type of pipette head, go to www.agilent.com/lifesciences/automation.

Figure Series III 384-well disposable-tip pipette head

Retainer pin

Pipette barrel

Tip box stripper pins

Bravo Automated Liquid-Handling Platform User Guide 13

1 Introduction to the Bravo Platform

Pipette heads and pin tools

Fixed-tip pipette heads

The fixed- tip pipette heads are fitted with non- disposable dispensing pins and can dispense fluid into an entire microplate simultaneously. They cannot be used to dispense fluid into single columns or single rows. The following table lists the fixed- tip pipette heads available for the Bravo Platform.

Head type Max volume Dispense into

96F50

384F50

50 µL

50 µL

96- well, 384- well microplates

384- well, 1536- well microplates

Serial dilution capabilities

You can use the Series III 96- and 384- barrel pipette heads for serial dilution tasks because these pipette heads can dispense fluid into single columns or single rows of a microplate. You do not need to change pipette heads during the task.

Note: When using the pipette heads in serial- dilution mode, certain deck locations are not accessible.

Controlling the pipette heads and pin tools

You use the VWorks software to control the pipette heads and pin tools for performing such tasks as:

•

Calibrating volumes

•

Controlling pipette speed

•

Enabling tip touching

•

Enabling dynamic tip extension and retraction

Related information

For more information about...

Serial dilution

See...

VWorks Automation Control User

Guide

“Changing the Bravo head” on page 63

Removing one pipette head and mounting a different head

Bravo 96AM Head for AssayMAP applications

Controlling pipette heads

“Bravo 96AM Head overview” on page 183

“Using Bravo Diagnostics” on page 81

14 Bravo Automated Liquid-Handling Platform User Guide