Enter Measurements in the Laboratory Job

In laboratory jobs, weight entry is a critical step in the bench work performed prior to instrumental analysis. During this process, sample weights and final volumes are recorded to ensure accurate preparation for subsequent analysis.

Weights can be entered manually or through a connected balance, with the analysis code providing target values and acceptable variances. If the entered weight falls outside this range, a warning message displays. Similarly, final volumes can be entered, with target values also defined in the analysis code.

If no weight or volume is entered, AssayNet LIMS automatically applies the target values as default for any subsequent process. This activity describes how to record weights manually or via a balance and how to enter the final volume (when applicable).

This activity presumes that a laboratory job has been created and contains the sample ID. For more information, see Create a Laboratory Job or Create a Laboratory Job by Scanning Sample Labels.

Note: The laboratory job may be divided into multiple pages based on the rack size. You can view the total number of pages in the bottom-left corner and navigate through them to access the different sections within the same laboratory job.

Activity Steps

In the Laboratory Job page, locate and select the Job Number.
Click Data.

The Lab Job Data screen displays.
To enter the sample weights manually:
1. Set the Mode to Manual.
2. Click the Net (g) column heading.
  
  Note: When a different unit is used, the column heading displays Net and the selected unit.
  
  The first cell in the column is selected for editing.
3. Enter the weight and press Enter.
  
  The weight is entered into the cell and the next row in the Net (g) column is selected for editing.
  
  Note: If the weight is outside the accepted target range, a message displays indicating that the data entered is outside the allowable variance. You can select Remember this answer next time. If checked, the message is not displayed again when entering the weights. This option only applies to the current laboratory job.
4. Repeat step c to enter all the weights.
To enter the weights with a balance:

Note: A balance must be set up and linked to the station where weights are captured. For more information, see the Instruments section. The name of the connected balance displays in the Instrument category group. When the balance is properly communicating with AssayNet LIMS, the Port Status is shown as Open enclosed in a green box. If there is an issue, the status displays as Closed in a red box. For instructions on changing the balance instrument specifically for the current laboratory job, see Edit the Laboratory Job Options.

Note: To calibrate a balance prior to start weighting the samples, see Calibrate a Balance.

Note: The regional setting for the decimal symbol on the computer can affect how the system captures and interprets weight values. If the decimal symbol is set to a comma (,) instead of a period (.), values like 0.0781 may be incorrectly interpreted by the system as 781. If this issue is affecting you, check the regional settings on your computer.

Ensure that the decimal separator is configured as a period (".") in the balance settings to match the expected format in LIMS and avoid data capture errors.
1. Click the Net(g) column heading.
  
  The first cell in the column is selected for editing.
2. Press Enter or press the dedicated button on the balance instrument to send the weight to the cell.
  
  The weight is entered into the cell and the next row in the Net (g) column highlights.
  
  Note: For both manual entry and using a balance instrument, samples can be entered either in sequence or out of sequence. In the Analysis Code under the Laboratory Job category, you can select an option to enforce sequential weight entry. When this option is enabled, AssayNet LIMS displays a warning message if the user attempts to enter weights out of sequence, indicating that weights must be entered in order. Alternatively, use the Edit the Laboratory Job Options activity to make a one-time modification on how the weights must be entered for the current laboratory job.
  
  Note: When a weight is not entered for samples, AssayNet LIMS automatically applies the target values as default for any subsequent process. The target weight and acceptable variance display in the Target (g) and Var. (g) columns, respectively.
To enter the final volume:
1. Click the Final Measure tab.
  
  The Final Measurement table displays.
2. Set the Mode to Manual.
3. Click the Net (ml) column heading.
  
  Note: When a different unit is used the column heading displays Net and the selected unit.
  
  The first cell in the column is selected for editing.
4. Enter the volume and press Enter.
  
  The volume is entered into the cell and the next row in the Net (ml) column highlights.
  
  Note: Similar to the weight, when a volume is not entered for samples, AssayNet LIMS automatically applies the target values as the default for any subsequent process. The target volume displays in the Target (ml) column. Generally, laboratories do not manually enter volume values, as the final volume is typically exact when the sample is diluted. In most operations, the target weight is sufficient for accurate processing.
Click Close.

AssayNet LIMS automatically saves all entered data.