Agilent Technologies 1200 series User manual

Agilent Technologies
Agilent 1200 Series
Sample Capacity
Extension
User Manual

Agilent 1200 Series Sample Capacity Extension
Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2006
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Manual Part Number
G2257-90010
Edition
02/06
Printed in Germany
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Agilent 1200 Series Sample Capacity Extension User Manual 3
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.
A Safety Information
Important information on symbols and labels that appear on the
product or in the documentation.

4 Agilent 1200 Series Sample Capacity Extension

Agilent 1200 Series Sample Capacity Extension User Manual 5
Contents
1Overview
Description 10
Specifications 11
General Instrument 11
Robotic Arm 12
Physical Performance 12
Environmental 12
Physical 13
Electrical 14
Barcodes 14
2 Installation
Site Preparation 16
Bench Space Requirements 16
Contents of the G2257A Shipping Kit 17
Installation 19
Installing the Automation Interface 19
Setting Up the Well-plate Handler 25
Installing the Optional Rack Extension 33
Installing the Optional Fixed Barcode Reader 35
Installing the Optional Hand-held Barcode Reader 38
Barcode Requirements 39
Making the Electrical Connections 41
Adjusting the Barcode Reader Position 42
Adjusting the Lateral Position of the Well-plate Handler 44
Preliminary Adjustment of the Well-plate Handler Position 45

6 Agilent 1200 Series Sample Capacity Extension User Manual
Contents
Well-plate Handler Teaching 47
Teaching using the ChemStation 47
Teaching using the Hand-held Controller 51
Fine Adjustment of the Well-plate Handler Position 54
Adjusting the radius 54
Adjusting for the gripper fingers 55
Adjusting the centering spring 56
De-Installation of the Automation Interface 57
Installing a new automation interface 58
3 G2257A Software Navigation
Using the Sample Capacity Extension with the
Agilent ChemStation 60
Well-plate Handler Configuration 60
4 Working with the Sample Capacity Extension
What is a Hypersequence? 66
Creating a Hypersequence 67
Hypersequence Parameters 67
Barcode Settings 71
The Hypersequence Table 72
Importing an import file 74
Making an import file 78
5 Troubleshooting and Error Handling
Well-plate Handler Test 84
Testing with the Agilent ChemStation 84
Testing with the Hand-Held Controller 87
Automation Interface Test 89
Testing with the ChemStation 89
Testing with the Hand-Held Controller 90

Contents
Agilent 1200 Series Sample Capacity Extension User Manual 7
Solving Problems 92
Well-plate Handler does not turn on when switched on. 92
The Well-plate Handler arm does not move down far enough to
depress the plate sensor switch. 92
Error Messages 93
AI Door Error 93
Plate Error 93
AI Door Sensor Error 93
Power Failure on AI 94
High Performance autosampler Thermostat Enabled Error 94
Maintenance 95
Cleaning the Well-plate Handler 95
Changing the Fuse(s) 96
Moving the Well-plate Handler 97
Long-Term Shutdown 98
Parts List 99
1 Safety Information
Safety Information 102
General 102
Operation 102
Safety Symbols 103
Equipment Labels 104
Warning and Caution Notes in this Manual 104
Radio Interference 106
Agilent Technologies on Internet 107
Index 109

8 Agilent 1200 Series Sample Capacity Extension User Manual
Contents

9
Agilent 1200 Series Sample Capacity Extension
User Manual
Agilent Technologies
1
Overview
Description 10
Specifications 11
Figure 1 The G2257A Sample Capacity Extension

10 Agilent 1200 Series Sample Capacity Extension User Manual
1Overview
Description
The Agilent 1200 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 high performance
autosampler.
The Agilent 1200 Series Sample Capacity Extension works in conjunction with
the high performance autosampler and either fully automatically with the
Agilent ChemStation or interactively with the Agilent 1200 Series 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
high performance autosampler. When the sequence is complete, the
Automation Interface collects the well-plate from the high performance
autosampler, 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.