How to perform a MethodQueue run

Instruction

The table below describes how to run a MethodQueue:

Step

Action

1

  • Make sure that all systems used in the MethodQueue are connected with control mode connections.

2

Select a MethodQueue in the Methods pane in the UNICORN Manager and

  • choose File:Run

or

  • right-click the MethodQueue icon in the Methods pane and select Run from the shortcut menu.

or

  • double-click the MethodQueue icon in the Methods pane and click the Run button in the MethodQueue Editor dialog box.

Result: The MethodQueue will start in accordance with the conditions defined in the MethodQueue setup.

See How to create a new MethodQueue for information about how to create a MethodQueue.

Unattended MethodQueue operation

The Start Protocol for the first and each subsequent method step in the MethodQueue is displayed when the corresponding method is run. If you require unattended MethodQueue operation after the start of the first method step, make sure that subsequent method steps do not include a Start Protocol.

Note: If the Start Protocol for a method in the queue is cancelled, the MethodQueue is paused. Select MethodQueue:Display Running in the UNICORN Manager and Restart or End the run in the displayed dialog box.

MethodQueues when the system is busy

You can choose to place a method in a MethodQueue if the system is already busy with another method run (See How to create a new MethodQueue). In a similar manner you can also start a new MethodQueue while another MethodQueue is in progress. It will be placed in queue and executed when the first queue is completed.

How to display and edit pending and running MethodQueues

Definition: A pending MethodQueue is one for which Run has been requested but which has not yet started, either because the system is not available or because the setup time has not been reached.

The table describes how to display running and pending MethodQueues.

Step

Action

1

Click the Running MethodQueue icon.

Result: The Running MethodQueue dialog box is displayed.

2

Select a MethodQueue in the Active MethodQueues list box.

Result: Information on the selected MethodQueue is displayed in the Details for... field of the dialog box.

Choose from the following:

  • The Restart button restarts the currently running MethodQueue if a Start Protocol has been terminated by Cancel.

  • The End button terminates a running MethodQueue after the current step. Any methods currently in operation will continue to run and must be terminated with the End button in the System Control window if they are not to run to completion. If you click the End button for a pending MethodQueue, it is deleted from the pending list.

  • The End All button terminates the running MethodQueue and deletes all MethodQueues from the pending list.

  • The Close button closes the dialog box.

2005-06-15