Agilent Technologies Velocity11 VSpin User manual


Microplate Centrifuge
User Guide
Original Instructions

Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2014
No part of this manual may be reproduced
in any form or by any means (including
electronic storage and retrieval or
translation into a foreign language) without
prior agreement and written consent from
Agilent Technologies, Inc. as governed by
United States and international copyright
laws.
User Guide Part Number
G5405-90001
Edition
Revision C, June 2014
Updates: Performance Specifications and
Labware Compatibility
Revision 02, March 2012
Updates: title page, Safety Notices,
compliance declarations, and general
safety warnings.
Revision 00, August 2004
Contact Information
Agilent Technologies Inc.
Automation Solutions
5301 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95051
USA
Technical Support: 1.800.979.4811
or +1.408.345.8011
[email protected]
Customer Service: 1.866.428.9811
or +1.408.345.8356
[email protected]
European Service: [phone]
[email protected]
Documentation feedback:
[email protected]
Web:
www.agilent.com/lifesciences/
automation
Acknowledgements
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registered trademarks or trademarks of the
Microsoft Corporation in the United States
and other countries.
Warranty
The material contained in this docu-
ment is provided “as is,” and is sub-
ject to being changed, without notice,
in future editions. Further, to the max-
imum extent permitted by applicable
law, Agilent disclaims all warranties,
either express or implied, with regard
to this manual and any information
contained herein, including but not
limited to the implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a par-
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liable for errors or for incidental or
consequential damages in connection
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arate agreement shall control.
Technology Licenses
The hardware and/or software described in
this document are furnished under a
license and may be used or copied only in
accordance with the terms of such license.
Restricted Rights Legend
If software is for use in the performance of
a U.S. Government prime contract or sub-
contract, Software is delivered and
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ware” as defined in DFAR 252.227-7014
(June 1995), or as a “commercial item” as
defined in FAR 2.101(a) or as “Restricted
computer software” as defined in FAR
52.227-19 (June 1987) or any equivalent
agency regulation or contract clause. Use,
duplication or disclosure of Software is
subject to Agilent Technologies’ standard
commercial license terms, and non-DOD
Departments and Agencies of the U.S. Gov-
ernment will receive no greater than
Restricted Rights as defined in FAR 52.227-
19(c)(1-2) (June 1987). U.S. Government
users will receive no greater than Limited
Rights as defined in FAR 52.227-14
(June1987) or DFAR 252.227-7015 (b)(2)
(November 1995), as applicable in any
technical data.
Safety Notices
A WARNING or !!INJURY
HAZARD!! notice denotes a hazard. It
calls attention to an operating
procedure, practice, or the like that, if
not correctly performed or adhered to,
could result in personal injury or
death. Do not proceed beyond a
WARNING notice until the indicated
conditions are fully understood and
met.
A CAUTION or !!DAMAGE
HAZARD!! notice denotes a hazard. It
calls attention to an operating procedure,
practice, or the like that, if not correctly
performed or adhered to, could result in
damage to the product or loss of important
data. Do not proceed beyond a CAUTION
notice until the indicated conditions are
fully understood and met.

Agilent Technologies, Inc., Automation Solutions, 5301 Stevens Creek Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95051 USA
Letter to our Customers
Dear Customer,
The Agilent Technologies acquisition of Velocity11 resulted in the following
changes:
•Creation of Agilent Technologies Automation Solutions, formerly Velocity11
•Renaming of some Velocity11 products
•New Customer Service and Technical Support contact information
•New website address for product information
Please make a note of the following changes as they impact this user guide.
Velocity11 product name changes
Related guides
Microplate Centrifuge Quick Guide
Centrifuge with Loader Quick Guide
Centrifuge Diagnostics Version 8 Quick Reference
Microplate Centrifuge ActiveX v8 User Guide
Automated Centrifuge Loader ActiveX v9 User Guide
These guides are available at: www.agilent.com/chem/askb
Velocity11 product name Changes to …
Access2 Automated Microplate
Loader
Automated Centrifuge Loader
Element Automation System BioCel 900 System
IWorks Device Driver Programming
Interface
VWorks Device Driver Interface
PlatePierce Seal Piercing Station Microplate Seal Piercer
VCode Barcode Print and Apply
Station
Microplate Barcode Labeler
Velocity11 Robot 3- Axis Robot
VHooks Integration Interface VWorks Hooks Interface
VPrep Pipetting System Vertical Pipetting Station
VSpin Microplate Centrifuge Microplate Centrifuge
VStack Labware Stacker Labware Stacker
Agilent Technologies

Chapter 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
What This Guide Covers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Getting Help from Velocity11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Safety Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Chapter 2. VSpin Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
VSpin Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Hardware Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Software Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
About Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
About Teachpoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
About the Control Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
About the Profiles Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
About the Diagnostics Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Chapter 3. Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Installation Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Laboratory Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Unpacking the VSpin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Preparing the Mounting Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Mounting the VSpin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Installing the Buckets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
About the Connection Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Connecting to Air and Power Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
About the Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Connecting to the Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Installing the Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Creating and Managing Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Aligning the Buckets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Chapter 4. Performing a Spin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Workflow Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Turning on the VSpin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Starting the Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Using Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Configuring Motion Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Configuring Time Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Contents

Setting the Presented Bucket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Balancing the Plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Starting a Spin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Monitoring the Progress of a Spin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Shutting Down the VSpin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Chapter 5. Maintenance and Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Routine Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Disconnecting the Air Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Preparing to Clean the VSpin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Unlocking and Opening the Door Manually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Removing the Buckets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Cleaning the VSpin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Cleaning Up Broken Plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Testing the VSpin Actuators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
VSpin Error Reference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Packing the VSpin for Shipping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Chapter 6. ActiveX Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
About ActiveX Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Setting Up Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Setting Up Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Setting Up Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

This chapter introduces the VSpin User Guide.
Introduction 1

Chapter 1: Introduction
VSpin User Guide
2
What This Guide Covers
Overview This guide is intended to be used by installers, integrators and lab
workers.
It covers how to:
❑Unpack the VSpin™
❑Mount the VSpin to a stable surface
❑Install and use the VSpin Diagnostics software
❑Set up the VSpin for operation
❑Perform a spin
❑Respond to errors
❑Clean and maintain the VSpin
❑Pack up your VSpin if you need to ship it
What This Guide
Does Not Cover
This guide does not cover the operation of third-party lab automation
systems, with the exception of the use of diagnostics software that is
developed by Velocity11®.
Companion
Documents
In addition to this guide, read Getting Started, which gives Velocity11
support information, explains how to use the online help versions of
Velocity11 technical documents and provides general safety guidelines.
If you do not have a copy, you can download it from our website at
www.velocity11.com.

3
Chapter 1: Introduction
VSpin User Guide
Getting Help from Velocity11
Sending Us an Email Software Errors
If you find an error in our software, or are unable to solve a technical
problem after reading “Maintenance and Troubleshooting” on page 65,
inform us by sending an email to [e-mail].
Include in your email:
❑Your software version number
❑A detailed description of the problem
Documentation Errors
If you find an error in our documentation, you can quickly let us know
by sending an email using the feedback button in the online help:
You can also send an email directly to [e-mail].
All feedback on our technical documentation is appreciated.
Bug Reports
If you are using the VSpin with the BioCel or BenchCel you can send us
a bug report from within VWorks™or BenchWorks™. Refer to the BioCel
User Guide or BenchCel User Guide for more information.
Find Your Software
Version
If you contact the Velocity11 Service Center, you might be asked for your
current software version.
To find your software version:
1. If you have not done so, install your VSpin Diagnostics software.
See “Installing the Software” on page 36.
2. Click Start > Programs > Velocity11 > VSpin > VSpin Test Container.
The VSpinApp dialog box opens.
3. Click OK.
4. The VSpin Control dialog box opens.
5. Look for the version number on the title bar.

Chapter 1: Introductione(VVSpin User Guide
Safety Information
Before installing and using the VSpin
Before installing and using the VSpin, make sure you are aware of the
potential hazards and understand how to avoid being exposed to them. You
must be properly trained in the correct and safe installation and operation of
the device.
Intended product use
!! INJURY HAZARD !! Do not remove the VSpin exterior covers or otherwise disassemble
the product. Doing so can expose you to hazards that could cause serious injury and damage
the VSpin.
!! INJURY HAZARD !! Using controls, making adjustments, or performing procedures
other than those specified in the user guide can expose you to moving parts and hazardous
voltage.
Agilent Technologies products must only be used in the manner described in
the Agilent Technologies product user guides. Any other use may result in
damage to the product or personal injury. Agilent Technologies is not
responsible for any damages caused, in whole or in part, by improper use of
the products, unauthorized alterations, adjustments or modifications to the
products, failure to comply with procedures in Agilent Technologies product
user guides, or use of the products in violation of applicable laws, rules or
regulations. Except as otherwise expressly provided in Agilent Technologies
product user guides, any alteration, adjustment, or modification to the products
will void the product warranty.
The VSpin is not intended or approved for diagnosis of disease in humans or
animals. You assume full responsibility for obtaining any regulatory approvals
required for such use and assume all liability in connection therewith.
Safety features
The VSpin has been designed to maximize safety with the following safety
features:
•The VSpin will not spin unless:
–The door is closed and locked.
–The buckets are unlocked.
–The bucket payloads are balanced.
–The appropriate software command is sent.
•The VSpin door will not unlock or open if the spindle is moving.
Moving parts
!! INJURY HAZARD !! Never attempt to touch any of the moving parts or remove plates
while the VSpin is in operation. It is not possible to touch the rotor while it is in motion, if the
door is functioning properly, but the door can cause possible pinching, piercing or bruising
when it closes.