Multiple run without loading method every time

[Shaolei]

Hello all,

In my macro, I need to run a method for 10 times. I put command "startMethod" in a 10-time loop. It works with no errors. But I found before every run, Chemstation loads the method file. It takes about 0.3 minutes for doing that. My run time is set to 0.5 minutes. So 10 runs should only last for 5 minutes. Now, the actual run time is 8 minutes because of the method loading.

Since I'm using the same method, I want Chemstation only load the method file for the first run. I don't want to re-load the method for the rest of the runs. I'm looking for a command to tell Chemstation starting the run right away using current method stored in GC.

Can anyone help me with this?

Thanks a lot!

[thohry]

I think it's impossible. Anyway, 0.3 min is not much and you can shorten the waiting time or the method itself instead.

[Peter Apps]

Welcome to the forum.

Why not just set up a 10-line sequence ?

What can you separate in 30 s ?

Peter

[dblux_]

Some want to develop sheer art of macro programming

[AICMM]

Use a timed start assembly. Set up the method, then simply tell the GC to start with an external event. You cannot control the # of times automatically in this scenario but it will restart the same method over and over again, ad nauseum. Your stop the re-start with a re-set of the timed start assembly or powering down the timed start assembly. I built one of these for a customer long ago.

Something to consider.

Best regards,

AICMM

[GasMan]

Shaolei,

As mentioned in one of the replies, I think that the best way is to run a sequence. However, a sequence implies that you have an automatic sampling device. If you do not have an automatic sampler on your GC and you are testing a macro, there is a trick that you can use to run a sequence. You set up a valve as a 'Gas Sampling Valve', even if you do not actually have a valve installed on the GC. You then set the injection source in ChemStation as the Gas sampling valve. You then set up a one line sequence with the number of injections set to 10, and then start your sequence.

Gasman

[Shaolei]

Thanks so much to everybody!

I will try the sequence way and see how it works.

[James_Ball]

I am thinking that either way you will see the method loading because at the end of a run Chemstation reloads the default method if it is not running sequence, and even when running a sequence there is a load method command that fires off.

Also make sure that it is not running any of the data analysis commands at the end of the run, that can also add to the cycle time as chemstation goes through the end of run action items before starting the next run.