Biocomp GRADIENT MASTER 108 User manual

SOFTWARE REGISTRATION
In order for you to receive software updates at no charge as they become
available, please complete this form and fax or email it back to us. We will then send
you the files as email attachments and you can download them from your PC or Mac
into your Gradient Master (model 107), Piston Gradient Fractionator (model 152) or the
Gradient Station (model 153).
BioComp’s fax number:
506-455-6157
BioComp’s email address:
[email protected]
Please complete the following:
1. Product model and serial number
2. Tube holder sizes
3. Name of lab head
4. Company/University
5. Address
6. Phone / Fax
7. Email address

MODEL 108
GRADIENT MASTER™
ver 5.3
OPERATOR'S MANUAL
© 2011 BioComp Instruments, Inc.
650 Churchill Row, Fredericton
New Brunswick, Canada E3B 1P6
Ph: [phone]; [phone];
Fx: [phone]; Email: [email protected]
Home Page: <http://www.biocompinstruments.com>

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION 4
Warranty and service 4
Maintenance 4
Electrical surge protection 4
Goods damaged in transit 4
SECTION 2. SPECIFICATIONS 5
SECTION 3. PARTS DIAGRAMS 6
SECTION 4. ORDERING INFORMATION 7
A. The Gradient Master Gradient Forming System 7
B. The Western Roller Blot Development System 8
C. Magnabase Blotting Bottles 8
SECTION 5. INSTRUMENT SET-UP 9
SECTION 6. PROGRAMMING INSTRUCTIONS 10
A. Levelling the plate 10
B. Recalling a gradient from memory and running it 10
C. Preparing and capping the gradient tubes 11
D. Forming the gradients 12
E. Repeated use of the same gradient 12
F. Developing your own gradient run parameters 13
G. Programming the device. 14
H. Entering gradient run parameters acquired elsewhere 17
I. Fixed angle and vertical rotors:Using the adjustable marker
block and quick-seal tubes. 17
SECTION 7. INTERNET PROGRAMMING INSTRUCTIONS 18
Entering new system software or run parameters 18
SECTION 8. NOTES AND HELPFUL HINTS 21
A. General 21
B. Gradients 21
SECTION 9. TROUBLESHOOTING 21
GRADIENT RUN PARAMETERS LAST PAGES
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NOTES and FREQUENTLY USED GRADIENTS
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Rev. March 10, 2011
OPERATOR'S MANUAL
BIOCOMP Model 108 GRADIENT MASTER
Software Version 5.25
SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION
WARRANTY AND SERVICE
BioComp has a policy of complete customer satisfaction. If, during the first thirty (30) days, you are
unhappy with the GRADIENT MASTER, you may return it for a full refund.
BioComp warrants this instrument to be free of defects in workmanship for a period of one year
from the date of receipt for all electronic and mechanical parts. Liability is limited to repairs or
replacement of the unit at BioComp's discretion. This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties either
express or implied.
Claims against this warranty must be made by first contacting BioComp (phone [phone]). At
this time the remedy will be determined. Units returned to BioComp without our knowledge and
permission will not be accepted.
Claims for shortages or damage in transit must be reported to BioComp within ten (10) working days
of the date of receipt. Such claims made after this period cannot be honored.
MAINTENANCE
Other than the tightening of loose screws and the removal of spilled gradient solutions, no user
service is required . The Model 108 contains a computer which should not be tampered with. In the
unlikely event of computer failure, contact BioComp and we will ship you a new printed circuit board
and simple instructions for its installation.
ELECTRICAL SURGE PROTECTION
As with any computer, voltage spikes and power surges can severely damage the sensitive chips in
this instrument. You are strongly encouraged to purchase a surge protector from your local computer
or hardware store and plug the transformer into it. Since surges and spikes can occur at any time, it is
also wise to turn the unit off when not in use to reduce your instrument's exposure to them.
GOODS DAMAGED IN TRANSIT
f the instrument or any of the accessories are damaged when you receive them, it is critical that you
save the shipping carton(s) and contact us immediately. We will inform you of the return procedure
and shipping addresses to put on the box. If the box is damaged to such an extent that returning the
instrument in it would risk further damage, save the box for inspection by the shipper who will be
notified to come and inspect it. Failure to adhere to these instructions will void any insurance claims
we might seek and result in BioComp absorbing unnecessary expenses.
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SECTION 2. SPECIFICATIONS
Timer:............................................... 0 - 9:59 min:sec, count up or down
0 - 99.9 min, " " " "
0 - 999 min, " " " "
Tilt angle:......................................... 0.0 - 90.0° from vertical
Speed of rotation:........................... 0 - 60 RPM
Memory:......................................... All gradients that have been developed for the rotors the user
purchases are accessible. The user may enter 10 gradients of
their own for any rotor.
Internet programmability:.......... Software upgrades for both the operating system and the
gradient run parameters are independently upgradable by
downloading from a file on a PC.
Dimensions:................................... 17 cm High x 20 cm Deep x 34 cm Wide
Weight:........................................... Base unit 3 Kg; each tube holder - 0.5 Kg
Power requirements:................... 100-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz, 0.75A.
Operating temperatures............. Ambient to 45°C
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SECTION 3. PARTS DIAGRAMS
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SECTION 4. ORDERING INFORMATION
A. The Gradient Master™ gradient forming system.
MagnaBase System: Catalog number
Model 108 Gradient Master base unit ................................. 108-1 (100-120V)
108-2 (220-240V)
Includes: 4" MagnaBase rotating steel plate, 2 layering cannula, fine tip marker, 2 hex wrenches, level, SD
card and SD card reader.
Tube Holder and Cap Selection
Order either the MagnaBase (105-9XX) tube holders from the list below by finding the match for your
centrifuge rotor. The 6-place swinging bucket tube holders are supplied with 6 plastic caps for either
rate zonal (suffix -R) or isopycnic (-I) gradients (e.g. 105-925-R for the MagnaBase SW28 holder and a
set of 6 rate zonal caps). The rate zonal caps leave 4 mm above the finished gradient for sample while
the isopycnic caps leave 10 mm. If both long and short caps are needed, use the suffix -IR ((e.g. 105-
925-IR). The 8-place vertical tube holders may also be used for swinging bucket tubes with the same
diameter and vice versa. Prices for the vertical tube holders do not include caps, which must be
ordered separately if you plan to use an 8-place holder for both types of rotors (see below).
Tube holders for swinging bucket rotors (6 tube capacity).
Order Tube Size Beckman Dupont/Sorvall Hitachi Kontron
Cat. No mm/in
105-925 25 x 89 SW32 AH-629/38 SRP28SA TST28.38
1 x 3 1/2 SW28 RPS27-2
RPS27
105-916 16 x 102 SW32.1 AH-629/17 SRP28SA1 TST28.17
5/8 x 4 SW28.1 RPS27-3
RPS27
RPS25-3
105-914A 14 x 89 SW41Ti TH-641 TST41.14
9/16 x 3 1/2
105-914B 14 x 95 SW40Ti RPS40T
9/16 x 3 3/4
105-913 13 x 51 SW50.1 AH-650 RPS65T TST55.5
1/2 x 2 SW55Ti RPS55T-2
SW65Ti RPS50-2
RPS40T-2
RPS40
RPS50
105-911A 11 x 60 SW60Ti TST-60.4 RPS56T TST60.4
7/16 x 2 3/8
105-911B 11 x 34 TLS-55 RP55S RP55S
7/16 x 1 3/8
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Tube holders for Vertical and Near Vertical Rotors (8 tube capacity)
Order Tube Size Beckman Dupont/Sorvall Hitachi Kontron
Cat. No. mm/in
1). 25mm diameter tubes
105-925-8A 25 x 89 VTi 50 RPV50T
1 x 3 1/2 RP50VF
105-925-8B 25 x 60 TV-865B TV-865B
1 x 2 3/8
105-925-8C 25 x 97 TV-850 TV-850
1 x 3 7/8
2). 16mm diameter tubes
105-916-8 16 x 76 VTi 65.1 RP55VF
5/8 x 3 NVT 65 RPV45T
3). 13mm diameter tubes
105-913-8A 13 x 51 VTi 65.2 SRP83VT
1/2 x 2 VTi 65 RP65VT2
VTi 80 RP65VF
NVT 90 RP55VF2
RPV65T
105-913-8B 13 x 66 TV-865 TV-865
1/2 x 2 5/8
105-913-8C 13 x 38 TLN-100
1/2 x 1 1/2
4). 11mm diameter tubes
105-911-8 11 x 32 TLV-100 RP100VT RP100VT
1/2 x 2
Caps and Marker Blocks
To order extra sets of caps or spare marker blocks, use the same catalog number as the tube holder
but change the 4th digit in the catalog number (e.g. 105-X25) to a4 for rate zonal caps, to a 5for
isopycnic caps and to a 6for marker blocks. To order a full set of 6 caps, put the suffix (-6 ) after the
catalog number (e.g. 105-425-6 for a set of 6 rate zonal caps for the SW28).
B. The Western Roller™ blot development system.
Bottles; Choose from the MagnaBase bottle selection below to cover your blotting needs. The possible
combinations of bottles that can be run simultaneously follows.
C. MagnaBase™blotting bottles.
Maximum Filter Size
Bottle Size Description (Circumference x Height cm) Cat. No.
1.5"D x 1.3"H STRIP RUNNER Polycarb w/ acrylic lid 12 x 2.5 108-12-03
1.5"D x 4.3"H MINIGEL RUNNER Polycarb w/ acrylic lid 12 x 11 108-12-11
1.5"D x 4.3"H AMBIBLOTTER Polycarb w/ acrylic lid 12 x 16 108-12-16
2.7"D x 5.3"H Polycarbonate bottle with clear acrylic lid 21 x 12 108-21-12
2.7"D x 6.3"H Polycarbonate bottle with clear acrylic lid 21 x 16 108-21-16
RADIATION LIDS
a. To order these bottles with the RADIATION LIDS, place the suffix -R after the Catalog Number listed
above; i.e. 108-21-16-R
b. To order the RADIATION LIDS separately, place -RL before the bottle number; i.e. 108-RL-21-16
Combinations (4" Plate);
1) Three 12-03 or 12-11s in any combination.
2) One bottle 21-12 or 21-16.
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