Agilent Technologies G5581A User manual

Original Instructions
This guide contains the following topics:
•“About this guide” on page 2
•“Safety guidelines” on page 3
•“Hardware components” on page 5
•“Loading labels and ribbon” on page 8
•“Starting up and shutting down” on page 16
•“Opening Diagnostics” on page 17
•“Initializing the device” on page 19
•“Performing a print-and-apply test” on page 20
•“Using the printer touchscreen” on page 23
•“Running a labeling protocol” on page 25
•“Cleaning the printer components” on page 27
G5581A Microplate Labeler
Quick Guide

About this guide
2G5581A Microplate Labeler Quick Guide
About this guide
This guide summarizes the operator instructions in the G5581A Microplate Labeler User
Guide.
This guide assumes the following:
•The Microplate Labeler is installed correctly, the device profile for the specific
Microplate Labeler configuration is already created, and the teachpoints are already
set. For setup instructions, see the G5581A Microplate Labeler User Guide.
•You are familiar with the VWorks Automation Control software. See the VWorks
Automation Control Quick Start for an overview. For detailed instructions, see the
VWorks Automation Control User Guide.
Note: This guide does not contain instructions for using the ActiveX Control to run the
Microplate Labeler. For information on how to access Microplate Labeler Diagnostics
using the ActiveX control, see the Microplate Labeler ActiveX User Guide.
Where to find the user documentation
To access the user guides for Agilent Automation Solutions products, do one of the
following:
•From within VWorks software, select Help > Knowledge Base or press F1.
•From the Windows desktop, select Start > Agilent Technologies >
VWorks Knowledge Base.
•Go to the online VWorks Knowledge Base at www.agilent.com/chem/askb.
Contacting Agilent Technologies
Web: https://www.agilent.com
Contact page: https://www.agilent.com/en/contact-us/page
Documentation feedback: [email protected]

3
Safety guidelines
G5581A Microplate Labeler Quick Guide
Safety guidelines
WARNING
Using controls, making adjustments, or performing procedures other than those
specified in the user documentation can expose you to moving-parts hazards and
hazardous voltage. Before using the Bravo Platform, make sure you are aware of the
potential hazards and understand how to avoid being exposed to them.
Ensure that you are trained in the safe operation of the device and that you have read
the Agilent Automation Solutions Products General Safety Guide.
Emergency stops
If the Microplate Labeler is integrated in an automation workstation, follow the
emergency-stop protocol for that system.
To stop the Microplate Labeler in an emergency:
1Unplug the power cord from the Microplate Labeler or set the power switch to off
( O).
Make sure that the point at which the detachable power cord is connected to the
Microplate Labeler is clear from clutter and that it is accessible at all times.
Figure Connection panel: AC power port and power switch
2Turn off the air supply.
00149
Vcode
power cable

Safety guidelines
4G5581A Microplate Labeler Quick Guide
Mechanical hazards
The Microplate Labeler contains the following moving parts.
Figure Microplate Labeler moving parts
WARNING
Pinch hazard! Do not reach between the plate stage and applicator head or between
the applicator head and the printer while the device is on.
WARNING
Pinch hazard! Use care when closing the printer cover. Keep clear of the cover hinges
and do not reach into the swivel range of the cover. If you operate the printer with the
cover open or with the cover removed, ensure that you keep clear of the exposed
rotating parts.
Burn hazard
WARNING
The printer can become hot while printing. Do not touch the printer components
during operation. Allow the printer to cool down before changing the media or
cleaning the printer components.
Item Description
1Plate stage. Automatically rotates side to side during labeling to present the
long and short sides of a microplate to the applicator head.
2Applicator head. Automatically rotates between the printer and the plate
stage to apply the barcode labels.
3Printer. Contains various parts that move automatically during a print run.
Keep the cover closed while the device is operating.
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5
Hardware components
G5581A Microplate Labeler Quick Guide
Hardware components
Front view
The Microplate Labeler prints labels and applies them to labware. The device is
comprised of a barcode applicator and a printer assembled on a baseplate.
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Item Feature Description
1Printer Prints a label (600 dpi) and pauses when the label reaches the peelbar to allow
the applicator head to retrieve the printed label. The printer supports the printing
of linear or two-dimensional (2D) barcodes. See “Printer overview” on page 7.
2Applicator Contains the plate stage, applicator head, green button, electronics, and the
connection panel (back side) for the device.
3Plate stage Provides a platform to support a plate delivered by a robot or a person.
The plate stage rotates side to side to enable labeling on all four sides of a
microplate. The plate stage rotation also allows the optional barcode reader to
read any side of a microplate.
The plate stage can move up and down to provide a choice of two vertical
labeling positions to accommodate labware of varying heights.
4Green button Starts a print-and-apply operation for printing test labels.
5Applicator head Rotates between the printer and the plate stage. Uses vacuum pads (suction
cups) to pick up a printed label from the printer and apply the label to a
microplate on the plate stage.

Hardware components
6G5581A Microplate Labeler Quick Guide
A barcode reader is connected to the side of the Microplate Labeler so that it can be
used with the software to verify or clone barcodes.
Figure Barcode reader on Microplate Labeler
Connection panel (back view)
6Vacuum pads Uses vacuum to pick up a label from the printer and uses compressed air to
apply the label to a microplate on the plate stage.
7Printer peelbar Provides a platform for presenting each label to the applicator head vacuum
pads. As the label strip travels over the printer peelbar, each label lifts off the
label backing slightly to allow the applicator head to pick up the label.
Item Feature Description
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Hardware components
G5581A Microplate Labeler Quick Guide
Printer overview
CAUTION
Do not use the printer touchscreen to adjust the printer settings unless directed to do
so by Agilent Technical Support. Using the printer touchscreen to change the printer
settings can cause the Microplate Labeler to fail. The printer has been specially
configured and tested as part of the Microplate Labeler at the factory.
IMPORTANT
During operation, the software displays the operator messages and error messages on
the computer screen. The printer touchscreen must display the Ready message before
you can initialize the device.
Item Feature Description
1Air supply
port
Connects to a compressed-air source. The device uses compressed air to:
•Move the plate stage up and down
•Rotate the applicator head side to side
•Extend and retract the applicator head
•Create a vacuum that the applicator head uses to pick up labels from the printer
•Apply labels to a microplate
2Ethernet
port
Connects an Ethernet cable from the controlling computer to the Microplate Labeler
for communication.
IMPORTANT Ethernet is the recommended mode of communication. If you
connect to the device using the Ethernet port, you do not use the serial port.
3Barcode
reader port
Connects the cable from the barcode reader to the Microplate Labeler for
communication.
4Serial port If used, connects a serial cable from the controlling computer to the device to provide
serial communication.
Note: A serial connection may be used if you cannot establish an Ethernet connection.
Ethernet is the recommended mode of communication.
5Power
switch
Turns on (|) or off (o) the power.
6AC power
port
Connects the power cable.
7Pressure
gauge
Indicates the regulated air pressure.
8Air pressure
regulator
Regulates the incoming air pressure to ensure that the device’s internal components
are not exposed to air pressure that is too high.
9Fuse holder Houses the universal voltage fuse.

Loading labels and ribbon
8G5581A Microplate Labeler Quick Guide
Figure Printer front view: (1) cover and (2) touchscreen
•Cover. Opens to provide access for cleaning the printer components and changing
the media.
•Touchscreen. Displays the Ready message and provides access to the Help
menu that contains how-to videos for maintaining the printer. Service-related
messages are also displayed on the touchscreen,
Loading labels and ribbon
Before you start
Ensure that you have the Agilent Microplate Labeler Media Kit. The kit contains a one-
to-one quantity of ribbon and labels so that you can replace them at the same time. The
kit contents are roll of labels, thermal transfer ribbon, empty ribbon core (functions as a
spool to rewind the used ribbon), and cleaning pen
WARNING
The printhead can be hot after use. Allow the printhead to cool before changing the
ribbon.
Open the printer cover to gain access for loading the labels and ribbon.
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Loading labels and ribbon
G5581A Microplate Labeler Quick Guide
Figure Printer (side view) showing the feed paths of the ribbon (red) and labels (blue)
You can use the following procedures or you can access videos of how to remove and
load the media from the Help menu on printer touchscreen.

Loading labels and ribbon
10 G5581A Microplate Labeler Quick Guide
Removing the used ribbon
See the following figure for the component locations referenced in the procedure.
To remove the used ribbon:
1While firmly grasping the ribbon supply hub (1), turn the green knob clockwise
to contract the hub and loosen the empty roll. Slide the roll off of the hub.
2Lift the printhead lever (2) counterclockwise to lift the printhead.
3While firmly grasping the take-up hub (3), turn the green take-up knob clockwise
to contract the hub and loosen the used roll of ribbon. Slide the used roll off
of the take-up hub.
4Lift the remaining ribbon out of the printer.
IMPORTANT
Clean the printhead before loading the new ribbon.
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