ABGENE ALPS 50V User manual

ALPS 50 ™
Variable Temperature Sealer
User Manual >>

This product is designed and constructed to be safe when properly used, in accordance with
the supplied documentation, and when the operating precautions outlined in this document
are fully observed.
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE USER OF THIS MANUAL IS AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS
ASSOCIATEDWITHTHE UNIT AND ITSACCESSORIES.ALLOPERATORSSHOULD BE FAMILIARWITH
THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND WARNINGS GIVEN IN THIS SECTION PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING TO
OPERATETHE UNIT.IF THE UNIT IS USED IN A MANNER NOT SPECIFIED BYTHE MANUFACTURER,
THE PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE EQUIPMENT MAY BE IMPAIRED.
The following symbols are used in this manual:
CAUTION/WARNING
HEATED SURFACE
Important >>
1
!!

WARNING: If the unit is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the
protection provided by the equipment may be impaired.
• The unit is intended for indoor laboratory use only, at an altitude of less than 2200m
above sea level, within a temperature range of 18°C to 30°C and a relative humidity
range of 20% to 80% non-condensing. If the instrument is stored outside these ranges,
it should be left to stand until it equilibrates to within the above limits.
• Ensure the voltage selection switch is set to the correct voltage for the required region
(See Fig 3).
• Ensure the correct fuse for the required voltage setting is fitted (see Specifications
section).
• Do not operate the unit outside the rated power supply range specified.
• There are no user accessible or serviceable parts inside the unit. Do not remove or open
the unit’s casework.
• Before using any cleaning or decontamination method except those recommended by
the manufacturer, users should check with the manufacturer that the proposed method
will not damage the equipment.
• Ensure the unit is only connected to an earthed supply.
WARNING:The hot plate can reach temperatures up to 200°C. Care must be taken
not to touch it or serious burns may occur.
• The unit will remain hot for a considerable time after it has been turned off and must
be allowed to cool down to an acceptable level before cleaning.
• Foil sealed plates may remain hot for a number of seconds after sealing and should be
handled with care.
Warnings >>
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1. General Description of Aparatus Page 4
2. Intended function of apparatus Page 4
3. Installation Page 4
4. Types of Consumable Page 5
5. Operating Instructions Page 6
6. Cleaning Page 9
7. Specification Page 9
8. Over Temperature Safety Cut Out Page 9
9. Switching off the Audible Warning (if audible sounder fitted) Page 10
10. Lifting and Moving the Instrument Page 10
11. Warranty and Returns Page 10
12. Declaration of Conformity Page 11
The information in this user guide including any apparatus, Methods, Techniques and Concepts described herein,
are the property of ABgene® or its Licensees and may not be copied, disclosed or used for any purpose not expressly
authorised by the owners there of.
Since ABgene constantly strives to improve all of its products, We reserve the right to modify equipment and any
user instruction manual without prior notice. No part of this instruction manual may be reproduced in any form
without the prior consent of ABgene.
ABgene®
ABgene House
Blenheim Road
Epsom
Surrey
KT19 9AP
England
Copyright: ABgene 2005
All Rights Reserved
ALPS 3000™ is a registered trademark of ABgene®
Contents >>
3

The ALPS 50V™ provides a safe, controlled method of sealing sample plates made from various
plastics. The sealer is adjustable for both sealing time and temperature and gives a visual
countdown display during the sealing process. The variable heat sealer can seal deep well
plates (Bioblocks) with various thermal sealing plastic or foil films and may be adapted to seal
Microplates and PCR plates by using a suitable plate carrier.
4
1. General Description of Aparatus >>
2. Intended Function of Aparatus >>
3. Installation >>
The variable heat sealer is intended to provide a platform with which to load and thermally seal
biological plates to prevent sample loss at high temperature or prolonged periods of storage.
Various types of plate may be loaded onto a plate carrier and covered by a thermal sealing
medium, which may be foil or clear plastic.
The operator may pre-set a precise temperature and seal time for the sealing operation.
Sealing is initiated by pulling down a handle which raises the sample plate into contact with
the hot plate. The plate sealer detects when the sample plate is in the correct position and
starts a countdown timer. The countdown is displayed on a three digit LED display. When the
display reads zero, the operator lifts the handle back to the upright position, which moves the
sample plate away from the hot plate. The plate may then be manually removed for further
processing.
The variable temperature sealer should be removed from it’s packaging and all internal
packaging removed. The instrument should be placed on a level surface, away from direct
sunlight and drafts ensuring access to the power switch on the rear of the unit. Ensure that
the vents on the back panel are not obstructed.
3.1 - Mains inlet selection:
The mains voltage selector switch should be checked to ensure that the desired voltage has
been set and the correct value of fuse has been fitted ( see FIG 3, FIG 4 and the specification
section ). The instrument should now be connected to an earthed mains supply with an IEC
320 connector type C13 mains lead ensuring there is sufficient space around it so that the
mains connection is not obscured.

The ALPS 50V™ is designed to be used with the following consumables:-
Plate Types: Polypropylene, polyethylene or polystyrene.
1. Deep well plates (Bioblocks) without a carrier.
2. PCR ( Polymerase chain reaction ) plates with carrier.
3. Microplates with carrier.
Sealing film types:
1. Foil polypropylene laminate.
2. Clear polyester polypropylene laminate.
3. Clear polymer.
4. Thin clear polymer.
5. Foil laminate.
6. Foil.
Plate Carriers:
1. Enclosed Well Plate Carrier S120530.
2. Open Well Plate Carrier S120529.
3. Bio Block Plate Carrier S120531.
5
4. Types of Consumable >>

If the instrument has been removed from storage, it should be left to reach ambient room
temperature. For correct operating conditions, please see specification section.
Please refer to FIG 2 for location of user interface components and FIG 4 for the location of the
power switch.
When the instrument is first turned on, The LED display shows the current setting for sealing
temperature which is retained from the last seal. A new setting between 125°C and 200°C
may be set by pressing the up and down arrow keys. The “°C” mode LED lights to indicate
that the adjustable field is temperature. Pressing the mode switch causes the seal time to be
displayed. This is also adjustable via the up and down keys in 0.5 Second increments between
1 – 9 seconds. Pressing the mode button again switches back to the sealing temperature
adjustment. If the up or down arrow keys are held for more than 1 second, the key will auto-
repeat.
When the desired settings have been set the heat on/off button may be pressed to begin
heating the sealing plate to the set temperature. The heat LED flashes at a slow rate to indicate
that the heater is on but not yet up to temperature. The heater should heat up to the set point
in about ten minutes. When the heater is within two degrees of the set point, the heat LED will
be continuously on and the sealer is ready to begin sealing plates.
A Typical operating sequence is:
1) Switch instrument on and set required sealing time and heater set-point temperature
for the desired sealing process, via the keypad and LED display.
2) Enable the heater by pressing the Heat on/off button.
3) Allow sufficient time for the instrument to reach desired temperature. The Heat on/off
LED will flash whilst the sealer is coming up to temperature and will remain on
permanently when the set point (±2°C) is reached.
4) Load sample-plate onto plate carrier and add the sealing film. Care should be taken not
to touch the heating surface whilst loading the sample plate.
5) Grasp the handle with one or two hands as appropriate (see FIG1a).
6) Lower handle to thermally compress sealing film onto sample plate (see FIG1b).
7) When correct clamping pressure is achieved feedback is provided and the “timer” will
count down to zero. Care should be taken not to apply more pressure to the handle
than is necessary to operate the micro switch.
8) On zero seconds, the display will flash and an audible warning will sound (if audible
sounder fitted) . Release the heater plate from the sealed sample plate by raising the
handle to its upper position and review the seal that has been made. Failure to raise the
handle could ruin the sample plate.
9) Remove sealed plate for subsequent processing (see FIG1c).
The seal temperature and time may vary with each type of plate. It is recommended that the
temperature and time settings for the sealer are reviewed empirically to determine optimum
seal integrity.
6
5. Operating Instructions >>

FIG 1a. FIG 1b. FIG 1c.
FIG 2.
FIG 3.
Voltage Selector Switch Voltage Selector Switch
Set to 115V Set to 230V
7
5. Operating Instructions >>
Heat On/Off LED
Set Temperature
Mode LED
Set Seal Time
Mode LED
Heat On/Off Button Down Button Up Button Mode Button

FIG 4.
FIG 5.
8
5. Operating Instructions >>
Mains Power Switch
Fuse Holder
Insert fuse here
Spare fuse position

The instrument is to be cleaned only by wiping Virkon solution at the manufacturer’s guideline
concentration. No parts are to be autoclaved.
9
6. Cleaning >>
7. Specification >>
Equipment Reference: ALPS 50V™
Model No: 953-A
Specification:
Temperature Set Point Range 125°C to 200°C in 1°C increments.
Time Set Range 1 to 9 seconds in 0.5 second increments.
Operating Humidity Range 20% to 80% non-condensing.
Operating Temperature Range 18°C to 30°C.
Size 220 x 321 x 425 mm
Weight 7.2 kg
Power Supply 100 - 130V AC 50/60Hz or 220 – 240V AC 50/60Hz
Power Rating 350 W Max
Fuse 100 - 130V - T3.15A ( IEC 127 ) or
220 - 240V - T1.6A (IEC 127)
Mains Input Connector IEC 320
Applicable Standards FCC Class A, CFR 47 Part 15
BS EN 61326:1998
8. Over Temperature Safety Cut Out >>
The instrument is protected against a fault condition leading to the sealing plate heating up
to a temperature exceeding it’s maximum set point. Protection is provided by a single use
thermal cut out, operating in the range 235°C to 240°C. In the unlikely event that this cut out
should operate, it would necessitate the sealer being returned to the manufacturer for repair.

The instrument should be lifted by holding by the handle. Care should be taken
when lifting the instrument due to its weight. Refer to current Health and Safety
procedures.
Some units are fitted with a sounder which give an audible warning at the end of the seal time.
The sounder is on by default but may be programmed to be on or off. To turn the Audible warning
off, place the sealer in Temperature set mode ( Set Temperature Mode LED on ) and simultaneously
press the Mode button and the Heat On/Off buttons together. The display will show “01” to
indicate that the audible warning is ON and both Set Temperature Mode and Set Seal Time Mode
LEDs will be off. Pressing the Down button turns the audible warning OFF. The display should now
show “00” . Pressing the Mode button will save this configuration so that the audible warning is
always off and the display will return to the Set Temperature Mode. To turn the audible warning
back on repeat this process but instead press the Up button to display “01”.
10
9. Switching off the Audible Warning >>
10. Lifting and Moving the Instrument >>
11. Warranty and Returns >>
ABgene®
ABgene House
Blenheim Road
Epsom SURREY
KT19 9AP
United Kingdom
Telephone: [phone] | Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]om | Website: www.abgene.com
!!

11
12. Declaration of Conformity >>
The ALPS™ 50V unit has been designed in accordance with, and satisfies the requirements
of, article 11 of the Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC as realigned by 93/68/EEC on the
harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to electrical equipment designed for
use within certain voltage limits, to the essential requirements of BS EN 61010-1:2001.
The ALPS™ 50V unit has been type tested by EMC Projects Limited (a UKAS and CAA approved
test facility and UK appointed Notified Body), and issued a Certificate of Compliance No.
6091/06 to the following EMC standard:
BS EN 61326:1998, Electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use. EMC
requirements
Satisfying the EMC Directive(s) 89/336/EEC and 92/31/EEC as realigned by 93/69/EEC.
Declaration:
I declare that as the Authorised representative, that the above information in relation to the
supply/manufacture of this product, is in conformity with the stated standards and other
related documents, following the provisions of (89/392/EEC)
Signed:
ABgene®
United Kingdom.

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Notes >>

13
Notes >>

14
Notes >>

ABgene®
ABgene House
Blenheim Road
Epsom SURREY
KT19 9AP
United Kingdom
Telephone: [phone] | Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]om | Website: www.abgene.com