How to create a new MethodQueue

Instruction

The table below describes how to create a MethodQueue in the UNICORN Manager module.

Step

Action

1

  • Select File:New:MethodQueue.

or

  • Right-click in the Methods window and select New:MethodQueue on the shortcut menu.

or

  • Click the MethodQueue icon.

Result: The MethodQueue Editor dialog box is displayed.

2

The default selection for Start MethodQueue is As soon as possible.

  • Click the At time radio button and select a time and weekday for the start of the MethodQueue, if desired.

3

  • Double-click the cell in the first row of the System column.

Result: The Method for row number 1 System dialog box opens.

Note: See "How to set up MethodQueues on several systems" below if you have more than one system available.

4

  • Select a method and click OK.

Result: The method is displayed in the System column.

5

  • Click the Insert Row After button and repeat steps 3 and 4 to add more methods to the MethodQueue.

Note: The timing of MethodQueue steps performed on different systems can also be controlled by the Ready instruction in the method (see "Relative timing of steps" below).

By default, each method step will start as soon as possible (ASAP) after the completion of the previous method step. Use the Condition cell of the chosen method to set another time interval for starting a selected step.

  • In the Conditions column, double-click the cell for the method to be delayed.

Result: The Condition for row number X dialog box opens.

Note: Use the Previous Row and Next Row buttons to select other methods for editing.

  • Click the Wait radio button, select the number of hours and minutes that the method is to be delayed and click OK.

Result: The execution of the MethodQueue will be held for the selected number of hours and minutes and then resume.

  • Click the Save button to save the method.

Result: The Save MethodQueue dialog box opens.

  • Type a file name and click the Save button.

How to set up MethodQueues on several systems

If you have more than one system available, the System column will not be displayed at first in the MethodQueue Editor. The table below describes how to set up a MethodQueue for several systems.

Step

Action

1

  • Click the MethodQueue icon.

  • Click the Add System button and select a system for the first MethodQueue step from the Add System dialog box.

2

  • Repeat this for each system when you want to use a different system in the MethodQueue.

Result: Another system column will be added for each additional system.

Relative timing of steps

The setting of the Condition dialog box (reached by double-clicking a Condition cell in the MethodQueue Editor dialog box), determines the relative timing of the steps of a MethodQueue. If successive methods are run on the same system, the timing set in Condition applies from the completion of one method to the start of the next.

If successive methods are run on different systems, you can use the Ready instruction in one method to trigger the start of the next method. In this way, you will be able to start the next method before the current method has ended. The Condition setting then applies from the Ready instruction to the start of the triggered method. This is useful in situations where a method on one system prepares the starting material for the next, and then continues to wash the system. See the example below:

Instruction to System 1

Instruction to System 2

Apply sample

 

Eluate

 

READY

Apply sample

Wash

Eluate

Unattended operation of the MethodQueue

The Start Protocol for each method step in the MethodQueue is displayed when the corresponding method is run. If you want the MethodQueue to operate unattended you must ensure that the methods do not include a Start Protocol.

See How to create a method for more information.

How to hold a method in queue while the system is busy

The table below describes how you can create a MethodQueue if you try to start a new method run while the system is still busy with another method run.

Step

Action

1

Right-click on the method in the UNICORN Manager module and select Run:system name on the shortcut menu.

Result: The System Busy dialog box opens.

2

  • Select the Add the method to a MethodQueue that will execute as soon as the system is free option.

  • Click OK.

Result: A MethodQueue will automatically be created in the default queue folder. The name of the MethodQueue will be the same as the method name, followed by a five-digit sequence number.

3

The method will be executed as soon as the system is free.

Note: A warning note is displayed in the System Busy dialog box if the method includes a Start Protocol. The Start Protocol must be completed at the start of the method run before it can be executed.

2005-06-15