Where single transfers with disposable tips occur in the instrument
This task covers disposable-tip air displacement in automated pipetting. The pipetting pump drives liquid within the tip, while the platform coordinates sources, receiving locations and consumables. Check tip pickup sealing, actual liquid and sample identity before setting aspiration, dispensing and motion programs.
Viscosity, volatility and surface tension can alter air-displacement performance. Calibrate with the actual tips and containers, then assess low source volumes and high-speed operation.
Product responsibilities in this operation
The air-displacement pump drives liquid inside the tip; the platform manages tips, wells and movement. Associate liquid destinations and consumable states with every operation.
For automated pipetting, define disposable-tip specifications and pickup sealing, actual liquid class, remaining source volume, immersion depth, working volume and receiving position.
Organize the sequence by actual architecture
- Confirm the disposable tip, source container and target well. Complete tip pickup and seal checks, and record tip and channel identities.
- Set immersion position, aspiration speed, dwell time and air gaps for the actual liquid class, minimum remaining volume and container geometry, then aspirate.
- After the platform positions the tip, dispense and perform the specified touch-off action. Measure received volume and check retained droplets, air aspiration and motion-related variation.
- Change tips or continue using validated consumables according to contamination requirements across the sample sequence. Cover low remaining volume, the first dose after a tip change and different liquids. Validate fixed-needle liquid displacement under its own program.
Define operating conditions for this task
| To define | Details |
|---|---|
| Actual operating conditions | Disposable-tip specification and pickup seal, actual liquid class, source volume remaining, immersion depth, working volume and receiving position |
| Acceptance target | Measure actual receipt at the target vessel, including low source levels, tip pickup and ejection, and contamination across sample sequences. Verify sample or well identity and downstream method results. |
| Fault localization | Tip leaks, aspiration of air, hanging droplets, incorrect immersion or missed tip changes can affect delivery and contamination. |
Compare product configurations by the roles on this page
| Product | Configuration option | Conditions to verify |
|---|---|---|
| SMTP air-displacement pipetting pump | Air displacement with disposable tips | Validate tip sealing, liquid type and motion together |
Validate operation results at the receiver
Measure actual volume received in the target vessel, covering low remaining volume, tip pickup/disposal and contamination across sample sequences. Verify sample or well identity and subsequent method results.
Measure delivery with actual liquids, tips and well positions, including idle periods, refills and multiple dispensing.
Locate abnormalities and restore the next operation
Tip air leaks, air aspiration, retained droplets, incorrect immersion or missed tip changes can affect delivery and contamination status.
Check the volume already delivered and the destination vessel first. Handle the tip and affected sample according to the experimental procedure, then verify readiness before the next action.
Nominal capacity and volume per step do not establish the minimum reliable pipetting volume. Disposable tips and reusable probes require different cleaning strategies.