How to simply get a list of register and commands within current instrument and Chemstation version?

Dear all,

We found a way to use Agilent's "macro" commands, and we are able to combine them with a Python-based system, and it looks like this is an easy way.

We struggle with lack of descriptions and poor/old tutorials. Does anybody have some experience, who could advise to us on how to easily find a list of "registers" that Agilent uses? Is it possible to get a list of them? Is it possible to use any command or macro for make a list of registers and commands which are implemented in the current system?

All we need is to find a way—to use a command in the command line or macro for:
1. Changing of the injection vial for the method that will be started. We are able to start a specific method, but we are not able to select the injection vial parameter.
2. Set up the replenish vial position (to load a specific vial)

So, if anybody have an idea how to get at least the list of registers and may be commands that are available in the current instrument, it would be helpful.

Many of the commands and registers that are described in "help", Macro Guide.pdf, XML Guide for Open lab and Chemstation tutorial don't exist, or there is no a simple example how to use them and there is not a list of them.

Many thanks for any kind response

With the best regards
Milos

  • If you search your installation folder, you are likely to find the 'mtregdbg.mac' file; loading this macro file into ChemStation will add a 'Debug' menu option that will let you browse the registers and their contents.  The command 'show' will also display a list of all currently available macros/functions/commands/variables, etc.  For a sequence, vial positions would be located in the TabVal(_SEQUENCE[n], "SeqTable#", row, "Vial") and can be set through SetTabVal _SEQUENCE[n], "SeqTable#", row, "Vial", position command.  I'm not sure what a "vial replenish position" is though.

    Out of curiosity, may I ask how you get your python scripts to talk to ChemStation?

  • Hi Milos,

    The 'mtregdbg.mac' macro should be located on one of the ChemStation installation disks - in my case it was on disk 2, under \UCL\LC_UCL folder.  If you are still unable to locate it, let me know.  While it allows browsing the registers and their contents, it's still a bit painful since there's no back button but you can also write a macro off of that one that can then dump the registers, objects, headers, and tables to a text file which can then be opened in spreadsheet software; that makes it a lot easier to search for certain keywords.  I was unfortunately not able to find a similar way to dump all commands, functions, macros and variables to a text file (show command), but my personal workaround there in order to obtain a more readily searchable list was to use a scripting software to literally access the contents of the popup show window and grab the text to output it to a file.  The documentation on a lot of these can be sparse; I often find that searching the existing macros for a specific function/command helps to better understand the implementation.

    For setting the location for a single sample, I'm almost positive that one could set the information through the (_CONFIG[1], "SampleInfo") table but it seems now that access is denied and that this may be done through a .NET assembly (maybe Agilent.ChemStation.Util.Containermigration.dll); I'm using ChemStation C.01 so it could also depend on the version of software you are using.  Now it does look like there is an alternate/legacy way to do this through the RunMethodFct() function - create a new register, add a SampleInfo object to it then populate the headers and table values as needed and then call the RunMethodFct by sending this register/table as argument - I quickly tested the method on both a GC and LC system here and it ran as expected

    Hope this helps some.

  • Hello Milos,

    You can access the information you are looking with a 3rd party ChemStation macro programming tool called Macropad.  It is no longer in development but most of the features still work as expected.  You used to be able to purchase it directly online but now you must contact the developer at Niels Waleson – Freelance Laboratory Automation Engineer

    Regards,

    Roy McCune

    Agilent Technologies

  • Hi Roy, 

    many thanks for this advise. I already downloaded it and we will try it.  

    The problem is how to find a suitable command/macro. e.g. there is module CE1 and we need to operate replenishment lift, especially : tol call "Set replenish vial" function and then and define its position.

    Do you thing it is doable by Macropad ? Where to find these commands ? 

    many thanks 

    Milos

  • Hello Milos,

    Sending commands to the instruments is a different proposition.  In normal ChemStation operation the software passes the instrument requests to the instrument driver which then sends the instruction to the instrument.  There are commands that allow you to pass instructions to the instrument, if you have the instrument command syntax.  These commands to not reside in the ChemStation command manuals and this syntax cannot be retrieved from the ChemStation memory

    The good news is that those commands are in a separate manual provided with the ChemStation installation media.  I don't know which revision of the ChemStation you have, but in the latest you can locate the manual in the installation media folder under \Disk1\Docs\en\assets\docs\CDS_CS_MacroProgramming.PDF.  This file will also be in the documentation available when the documentation is installed locally from the installation media.

    It sounds like a generic macro programming guide but when you open it you will see it is "For RC .NET Drivers in OpenLAB ChemStation Edition.  It should have everything you need to understand the command process.  It doesn't have an exhaustive list of the individual instrument commands.

    There may be a process required to get the details you need.  If you contact Agilent Support or your Agilent account representative you can refer them to me to see if we can meet this need.

    Regards,

    Roy McCune

    Agilent Technologies

  • Dear Roy, 

    I have tried to ask the Agilent support contact, but they didn't answered me yet. 

    Many thanks for your explanation.  I understand your point.

    We carefully checked all the installation CDs and folders, but we didn't find the file you recommended.

    Thank you also for specifying the Macropad software, but it seems unusable to us now.

    We understand the logic and commands on the command line and sending them to the instrument. Our biggest problem is how to find the command list to find what we need.
    We are specifically looking for the few remaining commands:
    Specifically and concisely: Now, to finish the project, we need to find the commands that lead to deploying the vial to the replenish system (what is done by the graphical command "Set replenish vial and select vial number" . Can you advise us how to find this command ? or who exactly to ask ?

    Below you can see the query we sent to the Support team.

    **************************

    Dear Support Team,

    I hope I use the right contact. If not, let me please know any suitable contact for this kind of support. 

    I am writing to request technical assistance regarding the programmatic control of the capillary electrophoresis carousel in the G7100 module through ChemStation.

    We use Agilent 7100 CE system and Chemstation version is attached

    As part of my research project, I am working on CE analysis automation. Specifically, I need to:

    1. Programmatically control the carousel via command line
    2. Define vial positions (inlet, outlet, replenish) and its operation (load specific vial, set replenish vial)
    3. Potentially control the external pressure system

    I have already studied the "Macro Programming Guide RC.Net" (15 pages) included in the installation package, but I could not find specific commands for the G7100 module. I have also consulted the official Agilent forum (reference: https://community.agilent.com/technical/software/f/forum/9111/how-to-simply-get-a-list-of-register-and-commands-within-current-instrument-and-chemstation-version/29820   ), 

    where I was advised to contact technical support directly.

    Could you please:

    • Provide a list of currently available commands for controlling the G7100 module, or tell to us, how to easily find their list ? We were not able to find them so far, even thought some users guided us and gave us some hints (no one works) 
    • Share relevant documentation if available (we are familiar about tutorials, e.g. macros.pdf and similar links, but they are over 25 years old and they are not updated. Many commands and registers doesn't exist or work in our system. 
    • Or suggest alternative methods for programmatic carousel control

    To the finishing of our project we need only to find a couple of commands for handling of inlet/outlet and mainly set wanted replenish vial. We are able to operate and control our system externally, and our lack is to find a specific commands or macros.

    Thank you in advance for your help and time dedicated to my inquiry.

    [Removed personal information]

Was this helpful?