Bravo Automated Liquid-Handling Platform User Guide

Bravo Automated Liquid-Handling Platform

User Guide

C

Setting up the Barcode Reader

This section contains the following topics:

•

“About setting up the Barcode Reader” on page 166

•

“Installing or removing the Barcode Reader” on page 168

•

“Creating a profile for the Barcode Reader” on page 169

•

“Specifying the Barcode Reader location” on page 171

•

“Testing and optimizing barcode scanning” on page 173

 

165

C Setting up the Barcode Reader

About setting up the Barcode Reader


About this topic

This topic describes the Barcode Reader and provides the workflow for setting up the Barcode Reader. To operate the Barcode Reader, see the

VWorks

Automation Control User Guide

.

Barcode Reader description

The Barcode Reader consists of a platepad with a barcode reader sensor head

(under the platepad) and a mirror. The Barcode Reader can be installed in place of a platepad at any deck location and is designed to scan barcodes on the east or west side of microplates.

Figure Barcode Reader oriented to scan barcodes on the east side of microplates

Mirror

00274

Overall Bar Code Reader with mirror

166

Platepad Barcode reader sensor head

(under the platepad)

Setup workflow

The following table presents the workflow for installing and setting up the

Barcode Reader. The procedures can vary depending on the brand of barcode reader sensor head (for example, Keyence or Microscan).

Step Procedure

1

2

3

4

Verify the barcode requirements.

Install the Barcode Reader.

See...

“Barcode label specifications” on page 167

“Installing or removing the Barcode

Reader” on page 168

Add the Barcode Reader device and create a profile for the Barcode Reader.

“Creating a profile for the Barcode


Specify the Barcode Reader location in the Bravo device file.


Bravo Automated Liquid-Handling Platform User Guide



Step Procedure

5

See...

Adjust the Barcode Reader for optimal scanning.


Barcode label specifications

The barcode reader can read barcodes that meet the following requirements:

Characteristic

Barcode height

Print contrast

Quiet zone

Keyence requirements

Barcode symbology Code 39

Code 128

Interleaved 2 of 5

Code 93

Microscan requirements

Code 39

Codabar

Code 128

Interleaved 2 of 5

Code 93

Code 2 of 5

3.34 mm (0.13 in) or taller

25% at 650 nm

3.34 mm (0.13 in) or taller

25% at 650 nm

10 times the dimension of the narrowest element in the barcode or 0.25 in, whichever is greater

10 times the dimension of the narrowest element in the barcode or 0.25 in, whichever is greater

Note: The symbology must be stored in the barcode reader in order for the barcode reader to decode the barcode symbol.

Related information

For information about...

Setting up other accessories

Using an accessory in a protocol

See...

•

“Accessories and platepads” on page 101

•

“Autofilling accessories” on page 155

VWorks Automation Control User

Guide

Bravo Automated Liquid-Handling Platform User Guide 167


Installing or removing the Barcode Reader

Installing or removing the Barcode Reader

Before you start

Make sure you have the following:

• Barcode Reader

• M4 hex wrench

• Accessories Hub

Procedures

WARNING

Turn off the Bravo Platform before you install or remove the accessory.

To install the Barcode Reader:

1

Using the M4 hex wrench, remove the screw in the center of the platepad and remove the platepad.

2

Place the Barcode Reader at the same deck location in the correct orientation to scan barcodes on the west side or the east side of microplates. Make sure it sits level on the deck.

3

Insert the supplied flathead cap screw into the center of the Barcode

Reader platepad and use the M4 hex wrench to tighten the screw.

4

Connect the cable from the Barcode Reader to the Barcode Reader module port on the Accessories Hub.

5

Edit the teachpoint for this location.

To remove the Barcode Reader:

1

Disconnect the Barcode Reader cable from the Accessories Hub.

2

Using the M4 hex wrench, remove the screw in the center of the Barcode

Reader and remove the Barcode Reader.

3

Place a platepad at the same deck location.

4

Insert the supplied flathead cap screw into the center of the platepad and use the M4 hex wrench to tighten the screw.



Barcode specifications

Creating a profile for the Barcode

Reader

Specifying the Barcode Reader location in the device file

See...





Making adjustments and troubleshooting the Barcode Reader


168 Bravo Automated Liquid-Handling Platform User Guide


Creating a profile for the Barcode Reader



This topic explains how to add the Barcode Reader device, and then create and initialize a profile for the Barcode Reader.

For details on creating a device file or adding devices to a device file, see

“Creating or adding a Bravo device” on page 21

.

Procedure

To add the Barcode Reader device and create a profile:

1

In the VWorks window, create a new or open an existing Bravo device file.

2

In the Available Devices area, double- click the icon for your barcode reader sensor head (Keyence or Microscan). The Barcode Reader icon appears in the Devices area.

3

In the

Devices area, select the Barcode Reader icon, and click Device

diagnostics. The Barcode Reader Diagnostics dialog box opens.




Figure Keyence Barcode Reader Diagnostics dialog box

Figure Microscan Barcode Reader Diagnostics dialog box

170

4

In the Profiles tab under Profile Management, click Create a new profile. The

Create Profile dialog box opens.

5

Type a name for the new profile and click

OK. The new profile name appears in the Profile name list.

6

In the Profile Settings area, select the Accessories Hub Serial port that is connected to the Barcode Reader.

7

Microscan only. In the

Default barcode side list, select East or West to indicate the side of the labware that has the barcode label.

Note: The Bravo Barcode Reader can scan barcode labels on the labware east and west sides only.



Specifying the Barcode Reader location

8

Click

Update this profile to save the newly created profile.

9

Click

Initialize this profile to establish communication with the Barcode

Reader.

10

In the VWorks software window, choose File > Save and save the device file.




Installing the Barcode Reader

Specifying the Barcode Reader location on the Bravo Platform



See...






•


•




Use the following procedure to specify the location of the Barcode Reader in the Bravo device file.

Procedure

To specify the Barcode Reader location in the Bravo device file:

1

Open the Bravo device file that contains the Barcode Reader device.

2

In the Devices area, expand the Bravo device. The list of deck locations appear.




3

Select the deck location at which you installed the Barcode Reader. In the example in

step 2

the Barcode Reader is installed at deck location 7, so deck location 7 is selected.

4

In the location properties table, select the Barcode Reader for one of the following:

• BCR on west side

• BCR on east side

Note: The Bravo Barcode Reader can scan barcode labels on the labware east and west sides only.

In the following example, the Barcode Reader is at deck location 7, and it will scan barcodes on the west side of microplates.

172

5

When you are finished, click Initialize selected devices to re- establish communication with the Bravo and use the updated device file.



Testing and optimizing barcode scanning






Reader



See...







•


•




This topics describes:

•

“Using diagnostics to test the barcode scanning (Keyence sensor)” on page 173

•

“Using diagnostics to test the barcode scanning (Microscan sensor)” on page 175

•

“Adjusting the scan angle” on page 177

•

“Troubleshooting” on page 177

Before you start

Make sure you have the following:

• M2 hex wrench

• Spare microplate that has a barcode label

Using diagnostics to test the barcode scanning (Keyence sensor)

If the barcode reader has a Keyence sensor head, use the procedure in this section to test the barcode scanning.

WARNING

Class II laser hazard. Looking directly at the laser beam can result in serious eye injury. Do not look directly at the laser beam.




WARNING

Laser emission does not automatically turn off if the sensor head is disassembled. Do not disassemble the barcode reader sensor head.

To test the barcode scanning:

1

Place the spare microplate on the Barcode Reader platepad and make sure the barcode label faces the Barcode Reader mirror.

2

Open

Barcode Reader Diagnostics.

3

In the

Profiles tab, select the Barcode Reader profile from the Profile list, and click

Initialize this profile.

Figure Keyence Barcode Reader Diagnostics Profiles tab

4

Click the Controls tab.

Figure Keyence Barcode Reader Diagnostics Controls tab




5

Click

Scan barcode. The barcode reader laser turns on briefly to scan the barcode label. One of the following messages appears next to Scan result:

Scan result message

<barcode text>

No barcode found

Description

The barcode was successfully scanned.

Barcode scanning was not successful.

Next step

The setup is complete. No further adjustment is required.

Proceed to step 6 .

6

If the No barcode found message appears, click

Scan barcode again and check that the barcode reader laser beam is projected onto the vertical center of the barcode label.

If the laser beam is not at the vertical center of the label, adjust the scan angle of the Barcode Reader mirror.

Using diagnostics to test the barcode scanning (Microscan sensor)

If the barcode reader has a Microscan sensor head, use the procedure in this section to test the barcode scanning.

WARNING

Class II laser hazard. Looking directly at the laser beam can result in serious eye injury. Do not look directly at the laser beam.

WARNING

Laser emission from the reader does not automatically turn off if the sensor head is disassembled. Do not disassemble the barcode reader sensor head.

To test the barcode scanning:

1

Place the spare microplate on the Barcode Reader platepad and make sure the barcode label faces the Barcode Reader mirror.

2

Open

Barcode Reader Diagnostics.

3

In the Profiles tab, select the Barcode Reader profile from the Profile list, and click Initialize this profile.

Figure Microscan Barcode Reader Diagnostics Profiles tab




4

Click the

Controls tab.

Figure Microscan Barcode Reader Diagnostics Controls tab

176

5

Click Scan. The barcode reader laser turns on briefly to scan the barcode label. One of the following messages appears next to Result:

Scan result message

<barcode text>

No barcode found

Description

The barcode was successfully scanned.

Barcode scanning was not successful.

Next step

The setup is complete. No further adjustment is required.

Proceed to step 6 .

6

If the No barcode found message appears, click Scan again, and check that the barcode reader laser beam is projected onto the vertical center of the barcode label.

If the laser beam is not at the vertical center of the label, adjust the scan angle of the Barcode Reader mirror.

7

To optimize the scanner settings, click Calibrate.

Note: During the calibration process, the scanner attempts various settings to determine the optimum decode rate for the given conditions.




Adjusting the scan angle

To adjust the scan angle of the Barcode Reader:

1

Loosen the screws on both sides of the Barcode Reader mirror.

00275

Bar code reader with mirror detail

Loosen the screws on both sides of the mirror.

2

Tilt the Barcode Reader mirror slightly. If the angle is set up properly, you can see the laser beam at the vertical center of the barcode label each time you click Scan barcode.

Tilt

00275

Bar code reader with mirror detail

3

Tighten the screws on both sides of the barcode reader sensor head.

4

Repeat the procedures to test the barcode scanning and adjust the scan angle until the reader is able to scan the barcode successfully (the barcode text appears next to Scan result).

Troubleshooting

If the reader is unable to scan the barcode after many adjustments, try one or more of the following:

• Make sure the barcode label is applied properly onto the microplate.

• Make sure the microplate is sitting level on the Barcode Reader platepad.




• Make sure the barcode meets the requirements. See

“Barcode label specifications” on page 167 .

• Repeat the adjustment process using a new spare microplate.






Reader

Specifying the Barcode Reader location in the device file


See...







•


•



Bravo Automated Liquid-Handling Platform User Guide

C

Setting up the Barcode Reader

About setting up the Barcode Reader

Mirror

Platepad Barcode reader sensor head

(under the platepad)

Installing or removing the Barcode Reader

To install the Barcode Reader:

To remove the Barcode Reader:

Creating a profile for the Barcode Reader

To add the Barcode Reader device and create a profile:

Specifying the Barcode Reader location

To specify the Barcode Reader location in the Bravo device file:

Testing and optimizing barcode scanning

To test the barcode scanning:

To test the barcode scanning:

To adjust the scan angle of the Barcode Reader:

Related manuals

Table of contents

Bravo Automated Liquid-Handling Platform User Guide

C

Setting up the Barcode Reader

About setting up the Barcode Reader

Mirror

Platepad Barcode reader sensor head

(under the platepad)

Installing or removing the Barcode Reader

To install the Barcode Reader:

To remove the Barcode Reader:

Creating a profile for the Barcode Reader

To add the Barcode Reader device and create a profile:

Specifying the Barcode Reader location

To specify the Barcode Reader location in the Bravo device file:

Testing and optimizing barcode scanning

To test the barcode scanning:

To test the barcode scanning:

To adjust the scan angle of the Barcode Reader:

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