Agilent Technologies 1100 Series User manual

s1
Agilent 1100 Series
Sample Capacity
Extension
Reference Manual

ii 1100 Series Sample Capacity Extension
Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2002
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States and international copyright laws.
Manual Part Number
G2257-90000
Edition
Edition 09/02
Printed in Germany
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Hewlett-Packard Strasse 8
76337 Waldbronn
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Techn ology Li cense s
The hardware and/or software described in
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Safety Notices
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The apparatus is marked with this
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and to protect the apparatus against
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!

1100 Series Sample Capacity Extension iii
In this Manual, you will find ...
1Overview
An overview of the Sample Capacity Extension system and its
capabilities.
2 Installation
Complete instructions for the installation and set-up of the
Well-plate handler and Automation Interface, and the optional
barcode readers and rack extension.
3 Software Navigation
A description of the set-up panels and dialog boxes for the
Sample Capacity Extension.
4 Working with the Sample capacity Extension
A description of the features of the ChemStation that are
specific to the Sample Capacity Extension, with examples of
their use.
5 Troubleshooting and Error Handling
Information on the available maintenance and test functions,
with a list of possible errors and how to fix them.
ASafetyInformation
Important information on symbols and labels that appear on
the product or in the documentation.

iv 1100 Series Sample Capacity Extension

1100 Series Sample Capacity Extension v
Contents
1Overview
Description 2
Specifications 3
General Instrument 3
Robotic Arm 4
Physical Performance 4
Environmental 4
Physical 5
Electrical 6
Barcodes 6
2 Installation
Site Preparation 8
Bench Space Requirements 8
Contents of the G2257A Shipping Kit 9
Installation 11
Installing the Automation Interface 11
Setting Up the Well-plate Handler 17
Installing the Optional Rack Extension 25
Installing the Optional Fixed Barcode Reader 27
Installing the Optional Hand-held Barcode Reader 30
Barcode Requirements 31
Making the Electrical Connections 33
Adjusting the Barcode Reader Position 34
Adjusting the Lateral Position of the Well-plate Handler 36
Preliminary Adjustment of the Well-plate Handler Position 37

vi 1100 Series Sample Capacity Extension
contents
Well-plate Handler Teaching 39
Teaching using the ChemStation 39
Teaching using the Hand-held Controller 43
Fine Adjustment of the Well-plate Handler Position 45
Adjusting the radius 45
Adjusting for the gripper fingers 46
Adjusting the centering spring 47
De-Installation of the Automation Interface 48
3 G2257A Software Navigation
Using the Sample Capacity Extension with the ChemStation 50
Well-plate Handler Configuration 50
4 Working with the Sample Capacity Extension
What is a Hypersequence? 56
Creating a Hypersequence 57
Hypersequence Parameters 57
Barcode Settings 61
The Hypersequence Table 62
Importing an import file 64
Making an import file 68
5 Troubleshooting and Error Handling
Well-plate Handler Test 74
Testing with the ChemStation 74
Testing with the Hand-Held Controller 77
Automation Interface Test 79
Testing with the ChemStation 79
Testing with the Hand-Held Controller 80
Solving Problems 82
Well-plate Handler does not turn on when switched on. 82

contents
1100 Series Sample Capacity Extension vii
The Well-plate Handler arm does not move down far enough to
depress the plate sensor switch. 82
Error Messages 83
AI Door Error 83
Plate Error 83
AI Door Sensor Error 83
Power Failure on AI 84
Well-plate Sampler Thermostat Enabled Error 84
Maintenance 85
Cleaning the Well-plate Handler 85
Changing the Fuse(s) 86
Moving the Well-plate Handler 87
Long-Term Shutdown 88
Parts List 89
ASafetyInformation
Safety Information 92
General 92
Operation 92
Safety Symbols 93
Equipment Labels 94
Warning and Caution Notes in this Manual 94
Radio Interference 95
Agilent Technologies on Internet 96
Index 97

viii 1100 Series Sample Capacity Extension
contents

1
Agilent 1100 Series Sample Capacity Extension
Reference Manual
Agilent Technologies
1
Overview
Description 2
Specifications 3
Figure 1 The G2257A Sample Capacity Extension

2 1100 Series Sample Capacity Extension
1Overview
Description
The Agilent 1100 Series Sample Capacity Extension is a flexible and
upgradeable robotic well-plate loading system. The basic unit, comprising a
Well-plate Handler and an Automation Interface, is capable of sequentially
loading up to twenty 96-well or 384-well plates into the Well-plate Sampler.
The Agilent 1100 Series Sample Capacity Extension works in conjunction with
the Well-plate Sampler and either fully automatically with the ChemStation or
interactively with the Agilent 1100 Control Module. The Well-plate Handler
moves sample well-plates from an input rack to the Automation Interface,
which moves the well-plate into position in the Well-plate Sampler. When the
sequence is complete, the Automation Interface collects the well-plate from
the Well-plate Sampler, and the Well-plate Handler retrieves the plate and
places it into an output rack. This process is repeated for up to 20 well-plates
(expandable to 80) in a single run.
To prevent sample contamination, well-plates with lids can be used, or closing
mats can be used to prevent evaporation. The Well-plate Handler removes the
lid prior to processing the plate, then replaces the lid after processing.
Alternatively, a lid or an additional empty well-plate can be used as a “topper”
on the stack to prevent contamination or evaporation of the top well-plate.
The Well-plate Handler removes the topper prior to processing the stack, then
replaces the topper on the stack.