Liquid Class Definitions
A liquid class definition specifies nearly all transfer behavior a Flex pipette will perform during a transfer_with_liquid_class(), distribute_with_liquid_class(), or consolidate_with_liquid_class(). Properties, like aspirate flow rate, submerge speed, or dispense position, are required in every liquid class definition.
This section details specific changes to transfer behavior for each Opentrons-verified liquid class. The transfer steps are listed in the order the robot performs them. Advanced settings like mix, pre-wet tip, touch tip, and blowout are automatically disabled in Opentrons-verified liquid class definitions.
Note
You can customize a liquid class definition for your workflow, either by customizing individual properties of an Opentrons-verified liquid class definition or by creating your own definition from scratch.
For more information, see Customizing Liquid Classes.
To use the tables below, select your liquid class: Aqueous, Viscous, or Volatile. Then, click different tabs to view your pipette and tip combination.
In a liquid class transfer, flow rates and air gap or push out volumes vary based on the pipette and tip combination used in your protocol. Let's say you use a Flex P1000 1-channel pipette and Flex 200 µL tips to aspirate a volatile liquid. The transfer volume specifies the flow rate:
- 7 µL/sec to aspirate 5 µL
- 50 µL/sec to aspirate 50 µL
- 200 µL/sec to aspirate 200 µL
When your aspirate volume falls in between, like 100 µL, a linear interpolation automatically determines the flow rate.
Aqueous¶
The Opentrons-verified aqueous liquid class is based on deionized water.
Aspirate¶
| Behavior | 50 µL |
|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec |
| Aspirate flow rate by volume |
|
| Correction by volume | — |
| Delay after aspirating | 0.2 sec |
| Retract speed | 50 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — |
| Air gap by volume |
|
| Behavior | 50 µL |
|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec |
| Aspirate flow rate by volume |
|
| Correction by volume | — |
| Delay after aspirating | 0.2 sec |
| Retract speed | 50 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — |
| Air gap by volume |
|
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Aspirate flow rate by volume |
|
716 µL/sec | 716 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume | — | — | — |
| Delay after aspirating | 0.5 sec | 0.75 sec | 0.5 sec |
| Retract speed | 50 mm/sec | 50 mm/sec | 50 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — | — | — |
| Air gap by volume |
|
|
|
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Aspirate flow rate by volume |
|
716 µL/sec | 716 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume | — | — | — |
| Delay after aspirating | 0.5 sec | 0.75 sec | 0.5 sec |
| Retract speed | 50 mm/sec | 50 mm/sec | 50 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — | — | — |
| Air gap by volume |
|
|
|
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 35 mm/sec | 35 mm/sec | 35 mm/sec |
| Aspirate flow rate | 200 µL/sec | 200 µL/sec | 200 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume | — | — | — |
| Delay after aspirating | 0.5 sec | 0.75 sec | 0.5 sec |
| Retract speed | 35 mm/sec | 35 mm/sec | 35 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — | — | — |
| Air gap by volume |
|
|
|
Dispense¶
| Behavior | 50 µL |
|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 50 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume | — |
| Delay after dispensing | 0.2 sec |
| Retract speed | 50 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — |
| Push out by volume |
|
| Air gap by volume |
|
| Behavior | 50 µL |
|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 50 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume | — |
| Delay after dispensing | 0.2 sec |
| Retract speed | 50 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — |
| Push out by volume |
|
| Air gap by volume |
|
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate by volume |
|
716 µL/sec | 716 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume | — | — | — |
| Delay after dispensing | — | — | — |
| Retract speed | 50 mm/sec | 50 mm/sec | 50 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — | — | — |
| Push out by volume | 20 µL | 15 µL | 20 µL |
| Air gap by volume |
|
|
|
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate by volume |
|
716 µL/sec | 716 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume | — | — | — |
| Delay after dispensing | — | — | — |
| Retract speed | 50 mm/sec | 50 mm/sec | 50 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — | — | — |
| Push out by volume | 20 µL | 15 µL | 20 µL |
| Air gap by volume |
|
|
|
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 35 mm/sec | 35 mm/sec | 35 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 200 µL/sec | 200 µL/sec | 200 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume | — | — | — |
| Delay after dispensing | — | — | — |
| Retract speed | 35 mm/sec | 35 mm/sec | 35 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — | — | — |
| Push out by volume | 20 µL | 15 µL | 20 µL |
| Air gap by volume |
|
|
|
Multi-dispense¶
| Behavior | 50 µL |
|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 30 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
| Conditioning by volume |
|
| Disposal by volume |
|
| Delay after dispensing | 0.2 sec |
| Retract speed | 100 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | 0.5 sec |
| Air gap by volume |
|
| Behavior | 50 µL |
|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 30 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
| Conditioning by volume |
|
| Disposal by volume |
|
| Delay after dispensing | 0.2 sec |
| Retract speed | 100 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | 0.5 sec |
| Air gap by volume |
|
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 125 µL/sec | 125 µL/sec | 250 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
|
|
| Conditioning by volume |
|
|
|
| Disposal by volume |
|
|
|
| Delay after dispensing | 0.2 sec | 0.2 sec | 0.2 sec |
| Retract speed | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec |
| Air gap by volume |
|
|
|
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 125 µL/sec | 125 µL/sec | 250 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
|
|
| Conditioning by volume |
|
|
|
| Disposal by volume |
|
|
|
| Delay after dispensing | 0.2 sec | 0.2 sec | 0.2 sec |
| Retract speed | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec |
| Air gap by volume |
|
|
|
Viscous¶
The Opentrons-verified viscous liquid class is based on 50% glycerol.
Aspirate¶
| Behavior | 50 µL |
|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 4 mm/sec |
| Aspirate flow rate by volume |
|
| Correction by volume |
|
| Delay after aspirating | 1 sec |
| Retract speed | 4 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — |
| Air gap by volume | 0 µL |
| Behavior | 50 µL |
|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 4 mm/sec |
| Aspirate flow rate by volume |
|
| Correction by volume |
|
| Delay after aspirating | 1 sec |
| Retract speed | 4 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — |
| Air gap by volume | 0 µL |
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec |
| Aspirate flow rate by volume |
|
|
|
| Correction by volume |
|
|
|
| Delay after aspirating | 2 sec | 1 sec | 0.7 sec |
| Retract speed | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — | — | — |
| Air gap | 0 µL | 0 µL | 0 µL |
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec |
| Aspirate flow rate by volume |
|
|
|
| Correction by volume |
|
|
|
| Delay after aspirating | 2 sec | 1 sec | 0.7 sec |
| Retract speed | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — | — | — |
| Air gap | 0 µL | 0 µL | 0 µL |
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec |
| Aspirate flow rate by volume |
|
|
|
| Correction by volume |
|
|
|
| Delay after aspirating | 2 sec | 1 sec | 0.7 sec |
| Retract speed | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — | — | — |
| Air gap | 0 µL | 0 µL | 0 µL |
Dispense¶
| Behavior | 50 µL |
|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 4 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 25 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
| Delay after dispensing | 0.5 sec |
| Retract speed | 4 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — |
| Push out by volume |
|
| Air gap | 0 µL |
| Behavior | 50 µL |
|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 4 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 25 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
| Delay after dispensing | 0.5 sec |
| Retract speed | 4 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — |
| Push out by volume |
|
| Air gap | 0 µL |
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 50 µL/sec | 50 µL/sec | 250 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
|
|
| Delay after dispensing | 1 sec | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec |
| Retract speed | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — | — | — |
| Push out by volume |
|
20 µL | 35 µL |
| Air gap | 0 µL | 0 µL | 0 µL |
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 50 µL/sec | 50 µL/sec | 250 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
|
|
| Delay after dispensing | 1 sec | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec |
| Retract speed | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — | — | — |
| Push out by volume |
|
20 µL | 35 µL |
| Air gap | 0 µL | 0 µL | 0 µL |
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate by volume |
|
50 µL/sec | 250 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
|
|
| Delay after dispensing | 1 sec | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec |
| Retract speed | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — | — | — |
| Push out by volume |
|
20 µL | 35 µL |
| Air gap | 0 µL | 0 µL | 0 µL |
Multi-dispense¶
| Behavior | 50 µL |
|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 4 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 25 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
| Conditioning by volume |
|
| Disposal by volume |
|
| Delay after dispensing | 0.5 sec |
| Retract speed | 4 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — |
| Air gap | 0 µL |
| Behavior | 50 µL |
|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 4 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 25 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
| Conditioning by volume |
|
| Disposal by volume |
|
| Delay after dispensing | 0.5 sec |
| Retract speed | 4 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — |
| Air gap | 0 µL |
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 50 µL/sec | 50 µL/sec | 250 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
|
|
| Conditioning by volume |
|
|
|
| Disposal by volume |
|
|
|
| Delay after dispensing | 1 sec | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec |
| Retract speed | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — | — | — |
| Air gap | 0 µL | 0 µL | 0 µL |
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 50 µL/sec | 50 µL/sec | 250 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
|
|
| Conditioning by volume |
|
|
|
| Disposal by volume |
|
|
|
| Delay after dispensing | 1 sec | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec |
| Retract speed | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — | — | — |
| Air gap | 0 µL | 0 µL | 0 µL |
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate by volume |
|
50 µL/sec | 200 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
|
|
| Conditioning by volume |
|
|
|
| Disposal by volume |
|
|
|
| Delay after dispensing | 1 sec | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec |
| Retract speed | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec | 4 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | — | — | — |
| Air gap | 0 µL | 0 µL | 0 µL |
Volatile¶
The Opentrons-verified volatile liquid class is based on 80% ethanol.
Aspirate¶
| Behavior | 50 µL |
|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec |
| Aspirate flow rate by volume |
|
| Correction by volume |
|
| Delay after aspirating | 0.2 sec |
| Retract speed | 100 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | 0.5 sec |
| Air gap by volume |
|
| Behavior | 50 µL |
|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec |
| Aspirate flow rate by volume |
|
| Correction by volume |
|
| Delay after aspirating | 0.2 sec |
| Retract speed | 100 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | 0.5 sec |
| Air gap by volume |
|
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Aspirate flow rate by volume |
|
|
|
| Correction by volume |
|
|
|
| Delay after aspirating | 0.2 sec | 0.2 sec | 0.2 sec |
| Retract speed | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec |
| Air gap by volume |
|
|
|
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Aspirate flow rate by volume |
|
|
|
| Correction by volume |
|
|
|
| Delay after aspirating | 0.2 sec | 0.2 sec | 0.2 sec |
| Retract speed | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec |
| Air gap by volume |
|
|
|
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 35 mm/sec | 35 mm/sec | 35 mm/sec |
| Aspirate flow rate by volume |
|
|
|
| Correction by volume |
|
|
|
| Delay after aspirating | 0.2 sec | 0.2 sec | 0.2 sec |
| Retract speed | 35 mm/sec | 35 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec |
| Air gap by volume |
|
|
|
Dispense¶
| Behavior | 50 µL |
|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 30 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
| Delay after dispensing | 0.2 sec |
| Retract speed | 100 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | 0.5 sec |
| Push out by volume | 1.0 µL |
| Air gap by volume |
|
| Behavior | 50 µL |
|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 30 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
| Delay after dispensing | 0.2 sec |
| Retract speed | 100 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | 0.5 sec |
| Push out by volume | 1.0 µL |
| Air gap by volume |
|
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 125 µL/sec | 125 µL/sec | 250 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
|
|
| Delay after dispensing | 0.2 sec | 0.2 sec | 0.2 sec |
| Retract speed | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec |
| Push out by volume |
|
|
|
| Air gap by volume |
|
|
|
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 125 µL/sec | 125 µL/sec | 250 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
|
|
| Delay after dispensing | 0.2 sec | 0.2 sec | 0.2 sec |
| Retract speed | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec |
| Push out by volume |
|
|
|
| Air gap by volume |
|
|
|
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 35 mm/sec | 35 mm/sec | 35 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 125 µL/sec | 200 µL/sec | 250 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
|
|
| Delay after dispensing | 0.2 sec | 0.2 sec | 0.2 sec |
| Retract speed | 35 mm/sec | 35 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec |
| Push out by volume |
|
|
|
| Air gap by volume |
|
|
|
Multi-dispense¶
| Behavior | 50 µL |
|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 30 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
| Conditioning by volume |
|
| Disposal by volume |
|
| Delay after dispensing | 0.2 sec |
| Retract speed | 100 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | 0.5 sec |
| Air gap by volume |
|
| Behavior | 50 µL |
|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 30 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
| Conditioning by volume |
|
| Disposal by volume |
|
| Delay after dispensing | 0.2 sec |
| Retract speed | 100 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | 0.5 sec |
| Air gap by volume |
|
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 125 µL/sec | 125 µL/sec | 250 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
|
|
| Conditioning by volume |
|
|
|
| Disposal by volume |
|
|
|
| Delay after dispensing | 0.2 sec | 0.2 sec | 0.2 sec |
| Retract speed | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec |
| Air gap by volume |
|
|
|
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 125 µL/sec | 125 µL/sec | 250 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
|
|
| Conditioning by volume |
|
|
|
| Disposal by volume |
|
|
|
| Delay after dispensing | 0.2 sec | 0.2 sec | 0.2 sec |
| Retract speed | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec |
| Air gap by volume |
|
|
|
| Behavior | 50 µL | 200 µL | 1000 µL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submerge speed | 35 mm/sec | 35 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Dispense flow rate | 125 µL/sec | 200 µL/sec | 250 µL/sec |
| Correction by volume |
|
|
|
| Conditioning by volume |
|
|
|
| Disposal by volume |
|
|
|
| Delay after dispensing | 0.2 sec | 0.2 sec | 0.2 sec |
| Retract speed | 35 mm/sec | 35 mm/sec | 100 mm/sec |
| Delay after retracting | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec | 0.5 sec |
| Air gap by volume |
|
|
|