Ankom FLEX User manual

Operator’s Manual
2052 O’Neil Rd, Macedon NY 14502
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.ankom.com
Rev 3/2/2023

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Operator’s Manual
pg. 1
Rev 3/2/2023
Table of Contents
Table of Contents...................................................................................................................................................1
1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................................3
2. Warranty.......................................................................................................................................................3
3. Contact Information .....................................................................................................................................3
4. Instrument Description ................................................................................................................................4
5. Safety Precautions........................................................................................................................................5
6. Instrument Installation.................................................................................................................................6
Site Requirements and Operating Environment...............................................................................6
Unpack Instrument ...........................................................................................................................6
Unpack Attachments and Accessories..............................................................................................6
Wipe Components ............................................................................................................................7
Make Connections ............................................................................................................................8
Power On.........................................................................................................................................10
Setting Nitrogen Pressures..............................................................................................................11
Setting Nitrogen Flow Rate of Evaporation Chamber.....................................................................14
Prime Reservoir and Pump Lines ....................................................................................................15
7. HMI Navigation...........................................................................................................................................21
Home Screen...................................................................................................................................21
Methods..........................................................................................................................................22
Diagnostics......................................................................................................................................23
Records and Updates......................................................................................................................25
Training and Maintenance..............................................................................................................26
ANKOM Products ............................................................................................................................26
Who we are....................................................................................................................................26
8. Starting an Assay ........................................................................................................................................27
Confirm Nitrogen Pressure .............................................................................................................27
Fill Solution Reservoir Bottles .........................................................................................................27
Assemble Digestion Vessels............................................................................................................28
Load Method...................................................................................................................................29
Install Digestion Vessels and Weigh Sample...................................................................................30
Manually Close Digestion Oven Door .............................................................................................33
Install the SPE Columns...................................................................................................................33
Install Round Bottom Flasks............................................................................................................35
Confirm Solution Reservoirs are Full...............................................................................................35
Start Run .........................................................................................................................................35

Operator’s Manual
pg. 2
Rev 3/2/2023
Track Progress.................................................................................................................................36
Abort Run........................................................................................................................................36
8.13 Clean Vessel Tops............................................................................................................................37
8.14 End of Run.......................................................................................................................................39
8.15 Powering Down Instrument............................................................................................................41
9. Adjust Method............................................................................................................................................42
10. Custom Method..........................................................................................................................................43
11. Uploading Methods or Software................................................................................................................44
12. Faults.......................................................................................................................................................45
13. Periodic Maintenance.................................................................................................................................46
Solution Reservoirs and Filters........................................................................................................46
Spray Nozzles in the Digestion Oven...............................................................................................46
Instrument Surfaces........................................................................................................................46
Maintenance Schedule for Parts.....................................................................................................46
14. Troubleshooting .........................................................................................................................................47
15. QC and Calibrations....................................................................................................................................48
Solution Delivery Calibration ..........................................................................................................48
16. Appendix A –Reagents...............................................................................................................................52
Best Practices for Solution Preparation: Total and Crude Fat Analysis ..........................................52
Best Practices for Solution Preparation: Vitamin & Cholesterol Analysis ......................................52
17. Appendix B –FLEX Maintenance: Rinsing Slide Valve................................................................................53

Operator’s Manual
pg. 3
Rev 3/2/2023
1. Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the ANKOMFLEX Analyte Extractor (FLEX). We are confident that this product will effectively
serve your needs.
The FLEX is designed to simplify fat-soluble vitamin, cholesterol, crude fat, and total (hydrolysis) fat determinations. Supporting
up to four samples at a time, the system will automatically complete digestion (saponification or hydrolysis), solid phase
extraction (SPE), and evaporation of solvent in about two to three hours. By automating these labor-intensive procedures,
accuracy and precision is improved, chemical exposure is limited, and hands-on labor is reduced. This manual will provide you
with details that will help you operate the FLEX efficiently and effectively for precise and accurate results.
ANKOM Technology designs, manufactures, and markets analytical instruments and support products to laboratories around
the world in the food, feed, agricultural, bioenergy, and environmental industries. Our instruments allow for the analysis of
fat-soluble vitamins, cholesterol, dietary fiber, crude and detergent fiber, crude and total fat, digestibility, microbial
fermentation (anaerobic or aerobic) and more.
ANKOM Technology is committed to total customer satisfaction, designing every product based on a thorough assessment of
customer needs.
2. Warranty
ANKOM Technology warrants the ANKOMFLEX Analyte Extractor against any defects in workmanship or material for one year
after the original date of purchase. This warranty does not include damage to the instrument resulting from neglect or misuse.
During the warranty period, should any failure result from defects in workmanship or materials, ANKOM Technology will, at
its discretion, repair or replace the instrument free of charge. Extended warranties are available upon request.
3. Contact Information
We are committed to supporting you and value your feedback.
For any questions or suggestions regarding your instrument, please contact us at:
For Sales Support: s[email protected] or https://www.ankom.com/contact-us
For Technical Support: www.ankom.com/contact/technical-services
For Analytical Support: www.ankom.com/contact/analytical-services
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
NOTE: Please review the entire manual before you begin operating this product.

Operator’s Manual
pg. 4
Rev 3/2/2023
4. Instrument Description
The ANKOMFLEX Analyte Extractor simplifies fat-soluble vitamin, cholesterol, crude, and total (hydrolysis) fat determinations
and other possible applications. This fully automated system integrates all the steps involved in these analyses in one
instrument. Supporting up to four samples at one time, the system will automatically complete digestion (saponification or
hydrolysis), solid phase extraction and evaporation of the solvent. The system has four solution reservoirs which can be filled
with various chemical solutions as defined by method requirements (e.g. ethanol, hexane, HCl, KOH, water). The FLEX’s
software allows for method development and customization.
Digestion vessels have been designed to allow for sample to be weighed directly into the vessels, thereby eliminating transfer
error. Filtration takes place without user intervention, further reducing technician labor. A nitrogen atmosphere, positive flow,
and low temperature evaporation protects sensitive analytes against oxidation and optimizes solvent evaporation. Exhaust
lines can be connected to an exhaust system therefore eliminating the need to position the entire instrument in a ventilation
hood. Once an assay is complete, the isolated analyte is ready for gravimetric analysis (fat analysis) or reconstitution for
quantitation by HPLC or GC (vitamin, cholesterol, fatty acid profile analysis).
Evaporation
Chamber
Digestion Oven
Human Machine
Interface (HMI)
Touchscreen
Reservoir Door
and Tray
SPE Columns
(Vitamin Column
Pictured)
Reservoir Bottles
Round Bottom Flasks
Digestion Vessels

Operator’s Manual
pg. 5
Rev 3/2/2023
5. Safety Precautions
Hot Surfaces –Do NOT open the Digestion Oven during operation. The
interior surfaces can reach 100°C (212°F). Failure to observe this caution may
result in burns.
Hazardous Voltages –Do NOT operate the instrument with the back of the
main electrical cabinet removed. Hazardous voltages are present during
operation. Failure to observe this caution may result in electrical shock or
electrocution.
Hazardous Materials –Follow SDS warnings and recommendations for all
materials to be used in this instrument, for example: Ethanol, Hexane, and SPE
sorbent. Follow both local and federal regulations for vent hood requirements
when operating this instrument. Failure to observe this caution may be
hazardous to your health.
WARNING: Attempts to override safety features or to use this instrument in a
manner not specified by ANKOM Technology voids the warranty and may result
in serious injury or even death. This system is designed to meet and/or exceed
the applicable standards of CE and CSA.
The power switch must be in the OFF position before plugging the instrument
power cord into the power source.

Operator’s Manual
pg. 6
Rev 3/2/2023
6. Instrument Installation
Site Requirements and Operating Environment
To install and operate the ANKOMFLEX Analyte Extractor you will need the following:
•Adequate Power: 100V−120V ~ 50/60Hz 8A
220V−240V ~ 50/60Hz 8A
•Must have ability to connect to an exhaust system
•Bench space that can accommodate 77.5 cm (30.5”) W x 81.3 cm (32”) H x 45.7 cm (18”) D and a weight of 54.4 kg
(120 lbs.)
•Nitrogen Supply Requirements: a. N2 purity, Industrial Grade (Grade 4.8) which is 99.998% or purer
b. N2 Flowrate of 10LPM at 6.9 bar minimum
c. Supply N2 pressure 5.5-6.9 bar (80-100 psi)
•Fitting adapter to connect nitrogen supply to the ¼” (6.35mm) outside diameter
•Black polyurethane nitrogen supply tubing that ANKOM supplies
•Ambient Temperature Range: 19°−30°C (66°-86°F)
Unpack Instrument
The instrument shipping container consists of three separate cardboard pieces: a top, a bottom, and a sleeve that forms the
body of the container. Remove the top and the sleeve of the instrument shipping container. Lift the instrument from the
shipping container bottom and place it on a surface that is firm and level. The instrument needs to be near a nitrogen supply
and within range to connect exhaust lines to a ventilation hood or exhaust system. The instrument must not be subjected to
excessive shock, vibration, dirt, moisture, oil, or other fluids.
Unpack Attachments and Accessories
Within the shipping container is a cardboard box containing attachments, accessories, and a tool kit. Open the box and verify
that the following items are present. The tool kit will have a separate packing list included.
Digestion Vessel Glass with port
(6 Qty)
part # FLEX55
Round Bottom Flask (6 Qty)
part # 9364
Vessel Bottom Plugs (12 Qty)
part # FLEX72
Vessel Bottom Assembly (6 Qty)
part # FLEX54
Magnetic Cross Stir Bar (6 Qty)
part # 9415
FLEX Tool Kit
Rubber Cleaning Strip (1 Qty)
part # 9479
Black Nitrogen Supply Tubing (1 Qty)
part # 8216
3mm Tee Handle
Hex Wrench
14mm Open
End Wrench
90 Degree
Angled Pick
1/8” Hex Driver
Hex Wrench Set

Operator’s Manual
pg. 7
Rev 3/2/2023
500 ml Solution Reservoir Bottle
(3 Qty)
part # 5605
2000 ml Solution Reservoir Bottle
(1 Qty)
part # 9365
Waste Bottle Assembly
(1 Qty)
part # FLEX49
Sorbent Disposal Bags
(20 Qty)
part # FLEX-SDB
FLEX Support Items
The following support items can be purchased separately.
Item
ANKOM Part #
Vitamin & Cholesterol SPE Column
FLEX-SPE-01
Total Fat SPE Column
FLEX-SPE-02
Column Top
FLEX-9001
Vitamin & Cholesterol Filter
FLEX-VF
Total Fat Filter
FLEX-FF
Sorbent Disposal Bag
FLEX-SDB
FLEX Maintenance Kit
FLEX66
Wipe Components
6.4.1. Wipe the vessel bases, the spray nozzles and O-rings of the digestion vessel tops and the column top adaptors
with a towel wetted with water. Refer to FLEX Service Procedure FLS011.
Including 10 ft Exhaust Tubes
(2 Qty)

Operator’s Manual
pg. 8
Rev 3/2/2023
Make Connections
6.5.1. Connect waste bottle assembly. If your laboratory would like to connect the instrument to its own waste
reservoir, be sure to adhere to the standards below.
•Connect the shorter opaque tube on the waste bottle assembly to the vessel vent and waste port on the back
of the instrument. The instrument cannot drain uphill; it must drain by gravity. This means that the waste
reservoir cannot be higher than the waste port. This scenario would create a backflow to the instrument.
•Connect one of the 3 m exhaust tubes to the globe vent port on the back of the instrument.
•Connect the second 3 m exhaust tube to the waste assembly exhaust line connection.
•Vent the exhaust tubes to an exhaust system. The exhaust system should pull a slight vacuum so that solvent
fumes are properly removed from the FLEX during evaporation. These connections must never be closed or
restricted during operation of the instrument.
•Screw on the cap to the waste reservoir.
•Confirm all connections.It is important the waste reservoir is vented and
does not build pressure.
•All tubes from the instrument must be free of bends and kinks. If the
tubing is kinked, the instrument will not be able to drain properly and
will cause damage to the instrument.
Vessel Vent and
Waste port
Globe Vent
Exhaust line
connection
Waste Reservoir
Exhaust Tubes