Configuring the Pipettor
========================
After creating a deck, you must connect to the pipettor before any operations can be performed.

Brief introduction to the ``open-biohit`` package
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
By default, the software connects to a Sartorius Biohit pipettor using the
``open-biohit`` Python package.

Documentation:
`open-biohit (biohit-pipettor-python) <https://umg-pharma-lab-automation.pages.gwdg.de/biohit-pipettor-python/>`_

The ``open-biohit`` package communicates with the pipettor via a **32-bit vendor DLL**. It provides access to
basic pipetting commands such as move_x, move_y, pick_tip, aspirate: Notes from open-biohit documentation:

* The pipettor may be **single-channel** or **multi-channel**.
* It supports tips of **200 µL** and **1000 µL**.
* The connection is handled through a **context manager** to prevent errors affecting future workflows.
* The pipettor can be **initialized on connect**, resetting it to its default state.
* A **mock pipettor** connection can be made with initialized parameter set as true:

  * A plot of pipettor calls is generated using ``matplotlib`` when mock connection ends.

How to connect
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Pipettor configuration is managed from the **Pipettor Configuration** section inside the
**Low-Level Parameters** tab.

Available configuration options include:

* Tip volume
* Tip length
* Single-channel or multi-channel mode
* Initialize pipettor on connect
* Connect to mock pipettor

After configuring these values, click **Connect to Pipettor** to verify the connection.

Once connected, additional parameters can be tuned:

* Movement speed
* Aspirate force
* Dispense force

Changing Parameters
----------------------

These parameters control key pipettor and workflow behaviours.
To edit them in the GUI, go to **Settings → Parameters**.

You can modify:

- **Pipettors in Multi** - Number of tips on the multi-channel pipettor. The default (and standard) is **8**.

- **Spacing Between Adjacent Pipettor** - Distance (in mm) between neighbouring tips on the multi-channel pipettor.

- **Batch Size** - Controls the maximum number of operations grouped into a single batch. See :ref:`Liquid handling operations <liquid_handling_operation>` for how batching affects workflow execution.

- **Z-Max** - Maximum allowed travel on the Z-axis (in mm). Any command exceeding this limit will raise a validation error.

Tip lengths
-----------
``TIP_LENGTHS`` provides default tip lengths:

* **200 µL:** 38 mm
* **1000 µL:** 88 mm

Reference document:
`rLINE dispensing module (PDF) <https://shop.sartorius.com/medias/rLINE-dispensing-module.pdf?context=bWFzdGVyfGRvY3VtZW50c3wxMDQ1NjEzfGFwcGxpY2F0aW9uL3BkZnxhRGhoTDJoaE1pODVPVEEyT0RReE9UYzJPRFl5fGFkZmZmYzFjM2UzYjAwNjI2ODA3MmVmZmYxMWU4NDExZTVlOWMyNTFjNmYzYjZmY2M3Y2ZkODgxMDEzN2U1MDg>`_


Troubleshooting connection issues
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

See :ref:`Pipettor connection issues <pipettor-connection-issues>`.