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5 Setting sensor thresholds
Overview for setting sensor thresholds
BenchCel Microplate Handler User Guide
The following factors can affect the reading of the notch sensor and might require that
you adjust the sensor light intensity:
•
Microplate position
. For optimum results, the sensor light should bounce off of the
microplate at halfway between the top of the microplate and the top of the plate
skirt.
•
Microplate color.
Darker microplate color might require higher light intensity.
•
Microplate material
. Shiny or reflective microplates might require lower light
intensity.
•
Microplate condition
. Cracks, chips, scratches, or defects in the area where the
sensor light contacts the microplate can affect sensor reading.
•
Ambient light
. Brighter rooms might require lower light intensity.
Workflow for setting sensor thresholds
Before you start
Make sure you have three spare microplates for each BenchCel stacker head. For
example, if the BenchCel Microplate Handler has six stacker heads, you should have 18
microplates.
Make a copy of the provided
“Worksheet for setting sensor thresholds” on page 113
You can use it to record sensor readings and facilitate threshold calculations.
Workflow
Step
For this task…
See…
1
Calculate the Plate-presence
threshold.
“Calculating the Plate presence
threshold” on page 102
2
Determine the optimum sensor
offset at each stack.
“Determining the optimum Orientation
sensor offset” on page 107
3
Calculate the Orientation threshold
based on the observed Notch
Sensors readings.
