Agilent Technologies Labware MiniHub User manual


Labware MiniHub
Quick Guide
Original Instructions

Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2014
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User Guide Part Number
G5470-90000
Edition
Revision A, May 2014
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calls attention to an operating procedure,
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notice until the indicated conditions are
fully understood and met.

1

Labware MiniHub Quick Guide
This guide contains the following topics:
•“About this guide” on page 2
•“Safety information” on page 2
•“Hardware components” on page 3
•“Indicator lights” on page 4
•“Turning on and turning off the Labware MiniHub” on page 4
•“Using Labware MiniHub Diagnostics in the VWorks software”
on page 5
•“Using MiniHub Diagnostics in the Encore Multispan software”
on page 14

About this guide
2Labware MiniHub Quick Guide
About this guide
This guide summarizes the operator instructions in the Labware MiniHub User
Guide.
This guide assumes the following:
•The Labware MiniHub is installed correctly. For installation instructions,
see the Labware MiniHub Safety and Installation Guide.
•The device profile for the specific Labware MiniHub configuration is
already created and the teachpoints are already set. For setup instructions,
see the Labware MiniHub User Guide.
•You are familiar with the VWorks Automation Control software. See the
VWorks Automation Control Quick Start. For detailed instructions, see the
VWorks Automation Control User Guide.
If you are using another lab automation system software, see the user
documentation for that software.
For user information about related products, you can search the product
knowledge base or download the latest version of a PDF file from the Agilent
Technologies website at www.agilent.com/chem/askb.
Safety information
Before using the Labware MiniHub, your organization should make sure that
you are properly trained in:
•General laboratory safety
•The correct and safe operation of the Labware MiniHub
•The correct and safe operation of lab automation systems or components
used in combination with the Labware MiniHub
For general safety precautions, intended product use statement, and the list of
safety labels, see the Automation Solutions Products General Safety Guide.
For detailed safety information regarding the Labware MiniHub, see the
Labware MiniHub Safety and Installation Guide.
WARNING Using controls, making adjustments, or performing procedures other than
those specified in the user documentation can expose you to moving-parts hazards and
hazardous voltage. Before using the Labware MiniHub, make sure you are aware of the
potential hazards and understand how to avoid being exposed to them.

3
Hardware components
Labware MiniHub Quick Guide
Hardware components
The following diagram shows the main components of the Labware MiniHub:
1
2
4
3
5
6
Item Name Description
1Base Gray structure at the bottom of the MiniHub that
attaches the MiniHub to the target surface. The base
contains the power and communication connections
and hosts the indicator lights.
2Shelves Flat area on which you can place labware. Locating
pins at the edges of the shelves hold the labware
securely in place.
3Spacers Metal spacing blocks that you can add or remove at the
center of the hub.
Two types of spacers are available:
•25.1- mm spacers. Stacked between shelves to
accommodate different labware heights.
•8.4- mm spacers. Stacked above the top- most shelf
to fill the space between the top- most 25.1- mm
spacer and the cassette cap. These spacers ensure
a tight assembly and are only necessary when a
subset of the shelves are used.
4Cassette cap Metal label with numerical identification of each
cassette. The numbers are used in Labware MiniHub
Diagnostics and in VWorks software.

Indicator lights
4Labware MiniHub Quick Guide
Indicator lights
At the base of the Labware MiniHub are two indicator lights. One light
indicates power status, the other light indicates error conditions.
Turning on and turning off the Labware MiniHub
The following procedures describe how to turn on and turn off the Labware
MiniHub. For instructions on how to turn on and turn off a Labware MiniHub
that is part of a workstation, see the workstation user documentation.
5Cassettes Columns of shelves. The MiniHub consists of four
cassettes, each identified by the number on the
cassette cap.
6Black knob Component at the top of the MiniHub that locks the
spacers and shelves in places.
Item Name Description
POWER
ERROR
Name Description
Power Indicates whether the power is on or off. When the
green light is on, the power is on. When the green
light is off, the power is off.
Error Indicates whether an error is encountered. When the
red light flashes, an error has occurred. When the
red light is off, the Labware MiniHub is operating
normally.

5
Using Labware MiniHub Diagnostics in the VWorks software
Labware MiniHub Quick Guide
The Labware MiniHub does not have a power switch. You turn on and turn off
the device by connecting or disconnecting the power cord. If it is integrated in
a workstation, you use the Automation Control Unit to turn on and turn off
the device.
Turning on the Labware MiniHub
To turn on the Labware MiniHub:
Connect the male end of the Labware MiniHub power cord to an appropriate,
grounded power source. The Labware MiniHub rotates slowly to its factory- set
home position.
If the Labware MiniHub is integrated in a workstation, see the workstation
user documentation.
Turning off the Labware MiniHub
To turn off the Labware MiniHub:
Disconnect the power cord from the power source.
If the Labware MiniHub is integrated in a workstation, see the workstation
user documentation.
Using Labware MiniHub Diagnostics in the VWorks software
This topic explains how to control the Labware MiniHub using Diagnostics in
the VWorks software. For information on controlling the Labware MiniHub
using diagnostics in the Encore Multispan software, see “Using MiniHub
Diagnostics in the Encore Multispan software” on page 14.
About Labware MiniHub Diagnostics
The Labware MiniHub Diagnostics software has two tabs: Controls and Profiles.
You use the commands in the Profiles tab to establish communication with the
Labware MiniHub. You use the commands and parameters available in the
Controls tab to control or move the device.
If you are using a different automation software, call the VWorks ActiveX
ShowDiagsDialog method to open Labware MiniHub Diagnostics. For details,
see the Labware MiniHub User Guide.
CAUTION The Labware MiniHub will rotate during the startup process. Obstructing the
Labware MiniHub while it is rotating will cause an error.

Using Labware MiniHub Diagnostics in the VWorks software
6Labware MiniHub Quick Guide
Opening Labware MiniHub Diagnostics
In the VWorks software Devices area, select the Labware MiniHub name, and
then click Device diagnostics.
Initializing the Labware MiniHub in Diagnostics
Before you use Labware MiniHub Diagnostics to operate the Labware MiniHub,
you must initialize an appropriate MiniHub profile to:
•Establish communication with the Labware MiniHub.
•Load the profile information

7
Using Labware MiniHub Diagnostics in the VWorks software
Labware MiniHub Quick Guide
To initialize a profile in Labware MiniHub Diagnostics:
1In the Profiles tab, select the desired profile in the Profile name list.
2Click Initialize this profile to establish communication with the Labware
MiniHub and load the profile information.
Checking the MiniHub’s current position
About the Cassette value
The Cassette value in the Controls tab indicates the cassette that is currently
facing the robot. For example, a Cassette value of 3 indicates that cassette 3 is
facing the robot. A dash (—) indicates that the MiniHub is between cassette
positions.
About the Position value
The Position value in the Controls tab indicates the position of the MiniHub
relative to its home position. Position values range from 0–360°,
counterclockwise from the home position. The Cassette values correspond to
the following position values:
CAUTION The Labware MiniHub will rotate during the initialization process. Obstructing
the Labware MiniHub while it is rotating will cause an error.
Cassette Position value
1, or home 0°
2 90°
3 180°
4 270°

Using Labware MiniHub Diagnostics in the VWorks software
8Labware MiniHub Quick Guide
If the MiniHub is between cassette positions, other position values will be
displayed. For example, if the MiniHub is exactly between cassette 1 (0°) and
cassette 2 (90°), the Position value is 45°.
Procedure
To check the current position of the Labware MiniHub:
In the Controls tab, check the values in the Cassette and Position boxes.
Enabling and disabling the motor
Disabling the MiniHub motor allows you to rotate the MiniHub by hand. You
might want to do this when you:
•Set the home position.
1
2
3
4
0°
90°
180°
270°