Deerac Fluidics supplies an Automation Control Package, A-S Automate, which provides an easy to use interface to control the Equator and a stacker together. In addition several other instruments such as 3 rd party liquid handlers, barcode readers and plate readers may also be controlled by the software at the same time to create an integrated workstation. Support is currently provided for many common instruments and additional support may be added as required.

High-Level COM Object

This method of integration is the quickest and easiest method of Equator integration into a large-scale automated environment. It also insulates the integrator from such issues as system control and configuration/method storage. The entire spot station software may be loaded as a VB-compatible COM object.



This high level object allows the calling software to perform the following:

• Load a specific configuration file into the software.
• Load and execute a pre-defined method file.
• Obtain real-time feedback on the execution progress of the method and error events.
• Cancel the execution of the method.

There is no facility in this object to alter or define methods, which may be done off-line using the spot station GUI in standalone mode.

Low-Level COM Object

Integration using the low-level COM object is very flexible and allows control of all low-level dispenser operations. The integrator is insulated from the low-level serial Deerac communications protocol. This method of integration allows direct control of the Equator at a low-level. As an example, the following tasks may be performed:

• Home platform.
• Move XYZ to specific locations.
• Load liquid classes into the dispenser.
• Perform an aspirate.
• Perform a dispense.
• Configure system for on-the-fly (OTF) dispensing.

If this method of integration is selected then the controlling software must perform such software functions as:

• Method generation and storage.
• Robot and dispenser configuration storage.
• Event sequencing.

Note that this method of integration requires that the integrator obtain information from Deerac Fluidics on the liquid handling procedures.

Using High and Low Level COM Objects

Both objects may be used at the same time. This provides an extra layer of flexibility to the integrator allowing creation of custom tasks beyond the existing spot station functionality.

Direct Control

This is the most flexible method of control of the system. At this level the integrator controls the unit directly through the Deerac Fluidics packet-based communication protocol. The calling software will need to perform the same functions as in the low-level COM object integration along with:

• Serial communication interface.
• Generation of Deerac Fluidics communications packets.
• Receipt and decoding of communications packets.

Note that this method of integration requires that the integrator obtain information from Deerac Fluidics on the liquid handling procedures.
click here to download P-156 Equator Integration Options brochure