See Configure the Rows of the input file generator for information on generating the rowConfigs object.
Overview
Plate layout specific transfers can be configured within a lab automation run to maintain the correct plate order and well position without consolidating all source wells into the minimum destination plates. This can be set at the inputFileConfig
’s rowConfig
by indicating a plateLayout
type.
There are a list of key requirements to set up your plateLayout
successfully:
-
When using
plateLayout
, both thesource
anddestination
need to beplates
(as opposed to the more common designation at the well level). -
isMulti
should always betrue
for everylookupConfig
-
the
lookupSteps
of commoncolumnsMaps
change when usingplateLayout
:PLATE
andWELL_COORDINATES
lookups directly followSOURCE
andDESTINATION
lookups, without the typical intermediates -
the
plateLayout
removes the need to filter empty wells
Example JSON
"automationInputFileConfigs": [
{
"sortColumns": [],
"rowConfigs": [
{
"source": {
"isMulti": true,
"lookupSteps": [
{
"type": "SCHEMA_FIELD",
"schemaField": "source_plates"
}
]
},
"destination": "destination_plate",
"columnsMap": {
"Destination Well": {
"isMulti": true,
"lookupSteps": [
{
"type": "DESTINATION"
},
{
"type": "WELL_COORDINATES"
}
]
},
"Destination Plate": {
"isMulti": true,
"lookupSteps": [
{
"type": "DESTINATION"
},
{
"type": "PLATE"
}
]
},
"Source Well": {
"isMulti": true,
"lookupSteps": [
{
"type": "SOURCE"
},
{
"type": "WELL_COORDINATES"
}
]
},
"Source Plate": {
"isMulti": true,
"lookupSteps": [
{
"type": "SOURCE"
},
{
"type": "PLATE"
}
]
}
},
"plateLayout": {
"layoutType": "STAMP"
}
}
],
"name": "Input File",
"columns": [
"Source Plate",
"Source Well",
"Destination Plate",
"Destination Well"
],
"destinationInfos": {
"destination_plate": {
"lookupConfig": {
"isMulti": true,
"lookupSteps": [
{
"type": "SCHEMA_FIELD",
"schemaField": "destination_plates"
}
]
}
}
}
}
]
Example using the Run Configuration UI
Types of Plate Layouts in Lab Automation
There are three plateLayout
types that can be chosen: STAMP
, STAMP_TO_QUADRANTS
, and INTERLEAVE
STAMP
Source plates often have unique plate mappings that must be stamped into an identical layout. The STAMP plateLayout
accounts for partially filled plates and will preserve empty and filled locations as seen in the source plate.

STAMP_TO_QUADRANTS
Source plates are often transferred to a more scalable plate during processing to enable high throughput functions. Lab automation runs can be configured to stamp each source plate into a designated quadrant of a 4x destination plate. The
STAMP_TO_QUADRANTS plateLayout
accounts for partially filled plates and will preserve empty and filled locations as seen in the source plate.
INTERLEAVE
Alternatively, lab automation runs can be configured to interleave each source plate into a designated quad of a 4x destination plate. The
INTERLEAVE plateLayout
accounts for partially filled plates and will preserve empty and filled locations as seen in the source plate.