Accuris AutoMATE 96 User manual

Operation Manual
V1.0
MP9604
This Product is for Research Use Only

Thank you for purchasing the AutoMATE™ 96 Microplate Pipetting Workstation. This
user manual details the instrument’s features, specifications, as well as complete
operating instructions; please read it carefully before operation. Keep this user manual
for later use.
Important:
Please keep the box and packaging material for this instrument. If service is
required, the box will be needed to ship the instrument to our Service
Department.
Initial Inspection
Please inspect the instrument as well as all included accessories when you first open
the packaging. If you find anything damaged or missing, please contact Benchmark
Scientific or your local distributor immediately.
BENCHMARK SCIENTIFIC / ACCURIS INSTRUMENTS
PO Box 709
Edison, NJ 08818
USA
Phone: [phone]
Website: www.benchmarkscientific.com / www.accuris-usa.com
Email: [email protected] / [e-mail]

Safety Warnings and Guidelines
1. Important information for safe use
Users should understand how to use this instrument before operating. Please
read this manual carefully prior to operation.
Any improper operation may cause injury. Please read this manual
carefully and operate safely according to the guidelines.
2. Operation and Maintenance
The operation and maintenance of the instrument should comply with the basic
guidelines and warnings below. Incorrect operation or maintenance will have
detrimental effects on the life, performance, and safety features of the instrument.
The instrument is a normal indoor instrument which conforms to
classⅠof the GB 4793.1 standard.
This instrument is designed for use in a laboratory
environment. The device must be operated by skilled
laboratory personnel with appropriate training.
To prevent injury or voiding the warranty, the operator should not
attempt to repair the instrument without explicit guidance from
Accuris Instruments. If service is required, please contact Accuris
Instruments or your local distributor for repair.
Before powering on, confirm that the voltage used meets the electrical
requirements of the instrument as stated on the rating plate. If the
electric cord is damaged, replace it with the same type of cord. Hold the
socket firmly before pulling the plug from an outlet. Do not pull the
electric cord.
The temperature of the heating block can be high; please do not touch
it while it is in use to prevent injury.
The instrument should be installed in an environment of standard room
temperature, low dust, low humidity, and away from direct sunlight,
electromagnetic interference, and heat sources. Do not block the vents
on the instrument.
Always power off the instrument when you are finished using it. Unplug
the power cord and cover the instrument with a cloth or plastic sheet to
prevent excessive dust from entering the housing.

Pull the connector plug from the electrical outlet immediately
and contact the vendor in the event of:
•Liquid entering the housing.
•Abnormal operation: such as any abnormal sound or
smell.
•The instrument is dropped or there is any damage to
the housing.
•Any malfunction.
3. Maintenance
The instrument should be cleaned regularly using a soft cloth dampened with a
small amount of alcohol.
4. Transportation and storage requirements
Ambient temperature: -20℃ ~ 55℃
Relative humidity: ≤ 80%
Place in a well-ventilated room, away from corrosive gas.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................1
1. Key Features....................................................................................................................1
Chapter 2 Specifications...................................................................................................2
1. Required Installation Environment ..................................................................................2
2. Instrument Specifications.................................................................................................2
3. Pipetting Head Specifications..........................................................................................3
Chapter 3 Instrument Overview .......................................................................................4
1. Structure ..........................................................................................................................4
2. Dimensions ......................................................................................................................5
Chapter 4 Instrument Setup .............................................................................................6
1. Preparation Before Use ...................................................................................................6
2. Pipette Head Installation / Replacement .........................................................................7
3. 384-Well Microplate Pipetting..........................................................................................8
Chapter 5 Programming & Operation..............................................................................9
2. Software Initialization ...............................................................................................9
3. App Main Interface..................................................................................................10
4. Manual Mode..........................................................................................................11
5. Automated Progam Mode ......................................................................................15
6. Protocol Management / Settings ............................................................................22
7. System Settings......................................................................................................28
8. Labware Management............................................................................................34
Chapter 6 Maintenance ...................................................................................................36
1. Suggested Maintenance Tools ...................................................................................36
2. Daily Maintenance ......................................................................................................36
3. Regular Maintenance .................................................................................................36
4. Annual Maintenance...................................................................................................37
5. Pipetting Head Replacement / Calibration .................................................................37
Chapter 6 Troubleshooting.............................................................................................38

1
Chapter 1 Introduction
The AutoMATE™ 96 from Accuris Instruments is a fully automated, high
throughput liquid handling workstation that improves productivity when filling
microplates. Capable of dispensing up to 96 channels simultaneously, the
AutoMATE 96 significantly reduces the processing time and errors associated
with manual pipetting.
The included tablet features an intuitive app for programming and operation.
Unlike many 96-well pipetting stations, the AutoMATE 96 is “hands-free”, with
motorized tip loading/ejection and a four position, automated, sliding platform
that precisely aligns the tips with the appropriate microplate/reservoir. Once
programmed, the instrument can run protocols to completion without any
manual positioning or adjustment.
Three interchangeable heads allow for a pipetting range from 1.0µL to
1000µL. The AutoMATE 96 is compact enough to fit onto a standard lab bench
or into a biosafety cabinet.
1. Key Features
➢Precise pipetting - The pipetting range can be selected according to the
specific requirements.
➢Multiple pipetting functions - sample transfer, gradient dilution, plate
replication, combining samples from multiple plates, 96/384 plate
conversion and more.
➢4 position platform: Select tip, plate, and reservoir positions. Program
automatic movement of the platform.
➢Easy to use - Intuitive interface for manual and programmed operations.

2
Chapter 2 Specifications
1. Required Installation Environment
Environmental Temperature: -20°C - 55°C
Operating Temperature: 10°C – 40°C
Relative Humidity: ≤ 80%
Atmospheric Pressure: 86.9 kPA – 106.0 kPA
Input Voltage: AC 100～240V, 50Hz/60Hz
2. Instrument Specifications
Model
AutoMATE™96 (MP9604)
Pipetting Heads
20ul, 200ul, 1000ul (interchangeable)
Platform
positions
Four
Plate
positioning
Automatic / motorized
Operation
interface
Tablet, basic mannual operation and progremmed operation
Channels
8 / 96
Compatible Tips
Accuris AutoMATE tips
Operating
Android
Display
8 inch tablet, color display
Instrument port
USB B
Power supply
100 to 240VAC, 50/60Hz, 100W
Tablet
connection
Bluetooth
N.W.(KG)
32.6 Kg
Size(WxDxH)mm
69.0x35.0x67.3 cm

3
3. Pipetting Head Specifications
Pipette Head
MP9600-20PH
(20 µL)
MP9600-200PH
(200 µL)
MP9600-1000PH
(1000 µL)
Number of
pipetting
channels
96
96
96
Pipetting
range/µL
1~20
5~200
100~1000
Pipetting
accuracy
1µL: ≤±12%
5µL: ≤±5%
100µL: ≤±2.5%
2µL: ≤±5%
20µL: ≤±2%
500µL: ≤±1%
10µL: ≤±1%
100µL: ≤±1%
1000µL: ≤±1%
20µL: ≤±1%
200µL: ≤±1%
Pipetting
precision
1µL: ≤10%
5µL: ≤3.5%
100µL: ≤1.25%
2µL: ≤5%
20µL: ≤1.5%
500µL: ≤0.4%
10µL: ≤1%
100µL: ≤0.8%
1000µL: ≤0.4%
20µL: ≤0.8%
200µL: ≤0.4%

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Chapter 3 Instrument Overview
1. Structure
Fig 1. AutoMATE 96 Structure
1) Shell
2) Front Casing
3) Tablet
4) Pipetting Head
5) Front Plate
6) Motorized Platform
7) Operational LED Indicator
8) SWITCH (STOP) Key
9) Base
10) USB Port
11) Power Switch
12) Power Inlet

5
2. Dimensions
Fig 1. Dimensions

6
Chapter 4 Instrument Setup
1. Preparation Before Use
An experienced laboratory technician, with the requisite knowledge and background,
should be the one to unpack and install the instrument. The technician should
thoroughly examine all items that arrive with the instrument and compare them to the
Packing List. Should there be any doubts or questions about the instrument or its
accompanying accessories, such should be recorded and Accuris Instruments or the
relevant distributor should be contacted.
Before beginning any pipetting process, the following checklist should be completed:
•Confirm that the tablet controller is connected to the instrument.
•Ensure that there are no obstructions to the moving platform and that it moves
freely to both the right and left.
•Verify that the power supply connected to the instrument is steady and meets
the power supply requirements: Voltage: 100~240V (±10%); Frequency:
50Hz/60Hz.
•Turn on the main power switch, as depicted in Figure 5, to the "I" position.
Confirm that the instrument is powered on and that the Operational Indicator
Light is lit.
Fig 2. Power Switch

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2. Pipette Head Installation / Replacement
① Push front casing up ② Remove the front edge ③ Loosen the locking
levers
④ Replace pipetting head ⑤ Tighten levers ⑥Replace front casing &
front edge
Fig 3. Pipette Head Replacement

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3. 384-Well Microplate Pipetting
384-well Microplate Adapter
Place the 384-well microplate adapter onto a platform position. Place the 384-well
microplate onto the bottom left side of the adapter. During a program run, the
AutoMATE 96 will dispense into two horizontal positions, and then instruct the user
to move the 384-well microplate to the top left side of the adapter to dispense into
the final 2 horizontal position
384-well Microplate Positioning

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Chapter 5 Programming & Operation
1. Software Initialization
On the included Android Tablet, select the “AutoMATE™ 96” app icon to enter the
application interface.
Fig 3. AutoMATE™ 96 App Icon
Select the user (Admin or other), enter the corresponding user password, and click
“Login” to enter the main interface, as shown in the figure below.
Note: The initial Admin account password is set to “0000”. The password can be
changed via the system settings (Chapter 5.8).
Fig 4. Login interface

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2. App Main Interface
After logging in, the main interface will display (Figure 8). On the main interface,
choose one of the two pipetting modes: Manual Mode or Automated Program
Mode, as shown in the figure below.
Fig. 5 AutoMATE™ 96 Application Main Interface

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3. Manual Mode
Choose "Manual mode" to enter the basic mode, as shown in the figure below.
Fig. 6 Manual Mode Interface
Platform Positions:
The motorized platform has four positions: P1 corresponds to platform position 1, P2
corresponds to platform position 2, and so on. To change to another platform in the
Manual Mode Interface, select a different platform position to highlight it blue (Figure
10); the instrument will automatically position itself to the platform position specified.
Fig. 7 Platform Position Selection
Tip Loading & Ejection
To load / eject pipette tips in the Manual Mode Interface, select the “Load Tips” or

12
“Eject Tips” icons to highlight it blue (Figure 11); the instrument will automatically load
/ eject tips to the currently selected platform position.
Fig. 8 Manual Mode: Tip Loading & Ejection
Pipetting Functions
In the Manual Mode Interface, users can toggle amongst settings for “Aspirate” ,
“Dispense”, and “Mix” (Figure 12).
Fig 9 Manual Mode: Pipetting Functions

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Table 1 Legend: Manual Mode Pipetting Functions
Aspiration volume
(µL)
Click the Aspirate volume text box, enter the volume of liquid to be
aspirated.
Dispensation
volume (µL)
Click the Dispense volume text box, enter the volume of liquid to be
dispensed.
Mix volume (µL)
Click the Mix volume text box, enter the volume of liquid to be mixed.
Automatic
aspiration
Click on/off for the automatic aspiration function
Automatic
dispensation
Click on/off for the automatic dispensation function
Automatic mix
Click on/off for the automatic mix function
Mix number
Click the Mix number text box, enter the # of mixing steps to be
performed (Range: 0-99).
Aspiration position
(mm)
Click to create a new aspirate position, or click the drop-down
menu to choose an available aspiration position.
Dispensation
position (mm)
Click to create a new dispense position or click the drop-down
menu to choose an available dispensation position.
Mix position (mm)
Click to create a new mix position or click the drop-down menu to
choose an available mix position.
Liquid type
Click the drop down to select the liquid type of the sample (Water,
Alcohol, Lysis Buffer, Magnetic Beads, etc.).
Positions for aspirate, dispense and mix refer to position location of the bottom of the
tip as measured vertically from the top surface of the platform. The position may need
to be adjusted depending on the volume of liquid in the microplate/reservoir and the
design of the microplate/reservoir. Settings for Automatic aspiration/dispensation/mix
allow the user to create or select a position for the automation. Once a function key is
selected with automatic aspiration turned on, the instrument will automatically perform
aspiration at the specified position.

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Manual Mode: Function Keys
As shown in the figure below, there are four Function Keys available : Aspirate,
dispense, Mix and Blow out. The current set volume is shown in the upper left corner
of each Operation button. If the Operation Setting has been set with automatic
aspiration/dispense/mix with a position (mm) set, this set position will also be displayed
in the upper left corner. If there is no position setting, the position data will not be
displayed.
Fig. 10 Manual Mode: Function Keys
Real Time Information
In the Manual Mode Interface, real-time information of the pipette tips, such as the
volume of liquid in the tips and position of the tips, can be seen. Below , the
position of the tip can be manually adjusted according to the current position.
Highlight the “Aspirate/Dispense Position” box to enable automatic aspiration /
dispensation to the set descent position. To add descent position, click of
Aspirate / Dispense Position.
Fig. 11 Manual Mode: Real Time Information
Position
value
Volume
极UIhi

15
4. Automated Program Mode
Choose “Automated Program Mode” from the upper left menu to enter the Automated
Program Mode, as shown in the figure below.
Fig 12 Automated Program Mode Interface
The Automated Program Mode offers four function buttons at the top right: New, Save
as, Manage and Records.
Creating a New Program
Press the “New” button to create a new program. The default program name is the
numerical combination of the current date and time (see Fig 14 Select step),
click on this number to change the name if desired, then press OK to start the
programming. Press “New Step” at the lower left and the “Select step” window till open.
Press to highlight the type of step to add to the program, and click OK.