XP-400 X-Press
1300-87043-1M, REV 3 Cole-Parmer® Page 15 of 26
7.3 Running an Automatic Cycle
Before running a cycle, be sure that the pellet die is properly loaded, that the plunger is
properly seated in the die, and that the die is centered on the platen. Turn the hand-wheel
to bring the adjustment screw in contact with the top of the plunger, and tighten to take up
any slack. Check to see that the STANDBY is displayed on the touch screen. If this field
displays “Manual”, the press is in manual mode. Touch AUTO/MANUAL button to revert to
automatic mode. Close the sample chamber door; the press will not run if the door is not
fully closed. A safety interlock engages once the START button has been pressed to lock the
door during operation.
Press the green START button to begin the run.
1. The main valve will close and the unit will pump up to the selected maximum
tonnage. The START button will flash continuously during the run and PUMPING will
be displayed followed by other functions (e.g. Dwell, etc.).
2. Once the set pressure is reached, the press will hold at maximum tonnage for the
specified dwell time, while the timer counts down in one-second increments.
3. At the end of the dwell period, the main valve will open and RELEASE is displayed as
the timer counts down to zero. The PRESSURE display will show the changing
tonnage as it gradually decreases. When the pressure reaches zero, the piston will
be brought back to its rest position. The message will change to “Pump Down”.
4. At the end of a run, or when the red STOP button is pressed, the unit will “beep “and
both the START and STOP buttons will flash. The controls will reset to the beginning
of a new cycle and the message at the bottom of the page will return to “STANDBY”.
5. The door can be opened and the die removed at this point.
NOTE: To halt the cycle at any point and return the tonnage to zero, press the red STOP
button.
The cycle may be run again immediately after the previous one is complete. Remember, the
door of the press must be closed during the cycle. If it is not, the safety interlock will
prevent the unit from running its cycle.
Figure 5 shows the operating cycle graphically. During the Pump Up Period, the press is
activated and the pressure increases from zero to the set tonnage. Then the pressure is
held constant during the Dwell Period. Finally, the pressure is relieved during the Release
Period and gradually decreases back to zero.