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)

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 Liquid handling operations 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)

Troubleshooting connection issues

See Pipettor connection issues.