HLC MKR 23 User manual

Thermo Shakers and BlockThermostats
with Smart Control
MKR 13 – MKR 23 – MHR 13 – MHR 23–
MHL 23 – TK 23
Operating Manual
Bedienungsanleitung

2
Content
1. Basic Data................................................................................................ 4
Safety .............................................................................................................4
Warranty ........................................................................................................5
Disclaimer of warranty...................................................................................5
Important information ...................................................................................5
Environmental conditions……………………………………………………….………………….6
Temperature accuracy ...................................................................................6
2. First Steps................................................................................................ 7
Setup ..............................................................................................................7
3. Operation................................................................................................ 7
Parameter setting ..........................................................................................7
Programming function .................................................................................13
4. Assembly of Accessories...................................................................... 19
Anti-Condensation Plate BA 24 / 96.............................................................19
Data transfer ................................................................................................20
5. Troubleshooting ................................................................................... 23
6. Maintenance......................................................................................... 24
Cleaning........................................................................................................24
Service ..........................................................................................................25
7. Technical data....................................................................................... 26
8. Article description blocks & accessories............................................ 30
9. Explanations……………………………………….…………………………………………………32

3
Inhaltsverzeichnis
1. Basisdaten................................................................................. 33
Sicherheit............................................................................................33
Gewährleistung und Garantie ...............................................................34
Haftungsausschluss..............................................................................34
Wichtige Hinweise ...............................................................................34
Umgebungsbedingungen......................................................................35
Temperaturgenauigkeit ........................................................................35
2. Erste Schritte ............................................................................. 36
Inbetriebnahme...................................................................................36
3. Bedienung ................................................................................. 37
Einstellung Parameter ..........................................................................37
Programmierungsfunktion....................................................................43
4. Montage von Zubehörteilen....................................................... 50
Antikondensplatte BA 24 / 96 ...............................................................50
Datentransfer......................................................................................51
5. Problembehebung ..................................................................... 54
6. Instandhaltung .......................................................................... 55
Reinigung ............................................................................................55
Service ................................................................................................56
7. Technische Daten....................................................................... 57
8. Artikelbezeichnung Blöcke & Zubehör ........................................ 61
9. Erläuterungen............................................................................ 63

Basic Data
The HLC by DITABIS Thermo Shakers and Block Thermostats are used for tem-
pering and mixing of solutions in closed reaction tubes and plates. Please pay
attention that the target temperature of the samples should not exceed the
boiling point of the solution, which should be heated. Please consider this
when setting the target temperature via the software of the Thermo Shaker
or Block Thermostat. If there are any uncertainties regarding the liquids,
which should be heated or cooled, please contact DITABIS. The HLC by DITA-
BIS devices are meant for indoor usage only. Please use only HLC by DITABIS
accessories or accessories recommended by HLC by DITABIS.
Safety
The systems comply with the standards and directives mentioned in the appli-
cable CE declaration.
Please take note of the following safety measures:
Do only connect the system to an earthed mains power
socket of 230 V, 50 Hz.
Do not place hot blocks on inflammable or not heat-resistant
surfaces.
Make sure to only use containers in the block which are
suitable for the desired temperature range.
If liquid gets into the system, immediately pull out the plug
and contact our service department to ensure complete
safety.
Please do not touch or transport hot systems.
Contact with highly flammable fluids must be avoided.
The ventilation of the device must not be blocked. To ensure
the proper ventilation at all times please consider a mini-
mum distance of 10 centimetres on each side of the device.
Damaged mains cable should only be replaced with equal
ones.
4

5
Warranty
All functions of the systems have been tested thoroughly. After that, the
system and the accessories were packed carefully in perfect condition. If,
however, any damages or defects are detected during installation or
setup, please contact your local dealer or the DITABIS service department.
The DITABIS contact information can be found at www.ditabis.de (see also
our Terms and Conditions at www.ditabis.com). If used under normal labora-
tory conditions according to the Operating Manual, DITABIS grants a warranty
of one year, starting with the day of shipment.
Disclaimer of warranty
In case of unspecified use of the device, the manufacturer assumes no re-
sponsibility.
Important information
This manual complies with the standards and directives mentioned in the EN
DIN 61010-1 Norm. IQ, OQ and PQ documents are available on request.
The systems are provided with a high-precision self-optimising
temperature controller. Due to the self-optimisation it might oc-
cur that the set temperature is exceeded in individual cases.
Please note, that by heating your samples dangerous gases may
be emitted. In this case, the device must be used with an extrac-
tor hood.
If the ThermoMixers are operated with a high shaking frequency,
the vibrations of the system might transmit to the underground.
Please do consider this when placing the system.
i

6
Contact with highly flammable liquids must be avoided. The ex-
changeable block may be hot.
The ventilation of the device must not be blocked. To ensure the
proper ventilation at all times please consider a minimum
distance of 10 centimetres on each side of the device.
Environmental conditions
The ideal area of operation of the devices is achieved at 80% relative air
humidity at most and lays between +3°C - +50°C ambient air temperature.
This range should not be underrun or exceeded.
Temperature accuracy
Every HLC by DITABIS system is calibrated with a gauged high-precision tem-
perature measuring device to temperature accuracy and reproducibility. This
calibration is performed at a room temperature of +20,0°C at 10 different
temperature calibration points and oil as a reference liquid. HLC by DITABIS
reaches a very high accuracy by measuring the block temperature directly
inside the block. It can, however, not be avoided that the room temperature
affects the sample temperature in case of a large temperature difference
between room and block temperature. The anti-condensation plate reduces
this effect. We recommend using the anti-condensate plate BA 24 / BA 96 or
the tempering tub BT 01 / BT 02. When setting a process time, please note
that the sample temperature is always reached a little later than the dis-
played block temperature.

7
First Steps
Setup
Plug the mains cable in the IEC socket on the back of the system and connect
it with the mains power 230 V, 50 Hz via a Schuko socket. Please make sure
that you are using earthed mains power sockets.
Changeable blocks
At delivery, the changeable blocks are packed separately. Place the blocks on
the tempering plates and take care of the proper alignment of the central
threaded bolt and the two small corner bolts ensuring that the block lays
accurately on the tempering plate. Then attach the block with the enclosed
socket screw tightly at the bottom of the tempering plate to get the block
fixed for shaking and to obtain even better temperature accuracy. Check the
tight attachment of the block by pulling it up
Never start the process without the block being tightly attached. Do always
use two blocks for two-block systems, even if only one of them is used. This
ensures safety as well as a smooth shaking operation.
Switch on the system with the mains switch on the back of the system. The
start menu will be displayed. The green LED turns on, on the right sight of the
touch panel, as soon as a process is running.
Operation
Parameter setting
Start menu
This menu is displayed after the power is
switched on, after abortion or after the nor-
mal completion of a process. The last set
values are retained even after the switch-off
of the system.

8
Setup menu
Push the left and right arrow keys at the
same time, then the setup menu is displayed.
With +and –the values can be selected for
setting.
The selected box flashes, with ok it will be
permanently set for changing.
With the keys +and –,the input or the values
can be changed. If an input is confirmed with
ok, the box will highlighted flashing again.
With confirming the button Start menu, the
start menu is displayed again.
The following values can be adapted:
Page 1:
Language: English, German, French, Spanish
Tempering unit: °C or °F
Block number (10-point calibration)
Confirm end:
Yes: at the process end, a signal is audible
until the ok key is pushed. Until then, the
process runs with the previous data.
No: the process ends without confirmation.

9
Rotation direction: right, left
Page 2:
Contrast: Mentioned in %
Brightness: Mentioned in %
Display colour: Normal - inverse
10-point-calibration
By default the standard
calibration begins
with the block number “B0”. 10 temperature
bases are underlying
this calibration. The
calibration is optimized for all DITABIS stand-
ard blocks. If you are using customized blocks
you will be able to do individual calibrations
in addition.
For the calibration you need a
gauged high-precision temperature measur-
ing device.
Select block number in the set up menu and
confirm with ok. You are now able to cali-
brate and save different individual calibra-
tions, from standard block B1 up to 4. There-
fore please select B1 to B4. Confirm again
with ok. Now you will get to the calibration
menu. In the first and third column you can
see the temperature base. In the second and
fourth column you can see the variable set
values.
By pushing the +and –keys the entries and
values can be changed. The selected field is
blinking; by pushing ok the field is selected
for changing.
Example:
You have adjusted the device for 95,0°C in the
start menu and are measuring only 85,0°C

10
with a calibrated thermometer inside your
sample. Now you have to change the temper-
ature set value in column four about 10°C.
By doing so you can calibrate every single
base individually.
Temperature set value
Navigate with +and –to the temperature
input box and confirm with ok. The individual
numbers can be selected with arrow left and
right, their value can be changed with +
and -.The input is confirmed with ok and the
cursor automatically jumps to the Start but-
ton.
A set value change can also be made in the
same way during a running process. After
confirming the input with ok, the new set
value is effective immediately. For the hun-
dreds, the following values can be selected:
0 for temperatures up to +99,9°C
1 for temperatures from +100,0°C
- for temperatures below 0,0°C
Important information
For cooling systems, the minimum tempera-
ture may not be smaller than the difference
from room temperature mentioned below.
MKR 13 / TK 23: 16°C below r.t.
MKR 23: 11°C below r.t.
Mix set value
Navigate with
+
and
–
to the shaking fre-
quency input box and confirm with ok. The
individual numbers can be selected with
arrow left and right, its value can be changed
with +and –.
The input is confirmed with ok and the cursor

11
automatically jumps to the button
Start
.
The 1. Digit number cannot be selected and
changed. A set value change can also be
made in the same way during a running pro-
cess. After confirming the input with ok, the
new set value is effective immediately.
Duration of the process (time
setting)
Navigate with +and –to the time input box
and confirm with ok. The individual numbers
can be selected with arrow left and right, its
value can be changed with +and –.
The input is confirmed with ok and the cursor
automatically jumps to the button Start.
For an endless process, select 00:00.
100% Short-Mix (vortexing)
Navigate with +and –to the button 100%
Short-Mix and confirm with ok. The system
shakes with maximum mixing speed regard-
less of a process is started or not.
During the whole shaking process ok must be
pushed continuously..
Select program mode
Navigate with +and –to the button
Program and confirm with ok. For detailed
information on programming see page 10.

12
Process without time setting
Only set a set temperature and a set shaking
frequency but set the time on continuous
00:00.Now, the process time is displayed
continuously. It only starts to run if the tem-
perature set value is reached. A set value
change can also be made as described above
during a running process. Changes are re-
tained also after the completion of the pro-
cess and are displayed in the start menu as
current set values. For terminating the pro-
cess, push Stop.
Process with time setting
If a process time is set, the remaining time is
displayed in the menu. The time only starts to
run if the temperature set value is reached.
This does also apply for subsequent tempera-
ture changes. A set value change can also be
made as described above during a running
process.
The process ends without a signal or contin-
uous with a signal until it is terminated
manually. The relevant modus can be set in
the setup menu.
For changes during the process
If set value changes have been made, you can
select to save these changes and to have
them displayed in the start menu as new set
values.
Stopping the process before the expiration
of the time
If the process is stopped or changed before
the expiration of the time, you can select
whether the process really should be termi-

13
nated or if it should continue. Depending on
the selection, the start menu or the selection
to continue the process from the stop (time
runs from stop) or to make a restart (time
runs from zero) is displayed.
Process end
Setting in setup:
Confirm end: Yes
If a process time is preset, the expiration of
the time is indicated by a flashing LED and a
signal, the process continues. You can termi-
nate the process with ok.
Confirm end: No
If a process time is preset, only the infor-
mation that the process is completed will be
displayed after the expiration of the time. The
device turns off automatically.
Programming function
Program menu
Navigate with +and –to the button Pro-
gramsand confirm with ok. A total of 30
different program steps can be preset,
distributed on max. 9 different programs.
Confirm the highlighted flashing program
number if you want to change it. Confirm
the progr. no. with ok. With +and –, the
program numbers 1-9 can be selected.
If you want to edit the displayed program,
select the different adjustable parameters
with +and –.For editing, confirm with ok
and change the value. For final confirma-
tion confirm with ok again.

14
Setting of the individual paramater
By selecting "Programs" in the start menu, you will have a total number of 30
different (recurrent) program steps available. These can be selected in up to 9 dif-
ferent programs. You have the choice of f. ex. either 9 programs with 3 program
runnings each or f. ex. 1 program with 30 program runnings. For normal operation
the choice will be somewhere in between.
"prog-no." is blinking and shows 1 as standard. By pressing ok any program num-
ber. between 1 and 9 can be selected using buttons +and –. Confirm your entry by
pressing ok and the next field "cycles" will be blinking.
Cycles = Number of repetitions of the program, selection 1-9 possible without
having to confirm "Start" again.
If no changes are to be made, select the next field by using the -(down) button.
By pressing ok you can change the number of cycles from 1 to 9 using the +and –
buttons. Confirm your entry by pressing ok and the next field "step"
will be blinking.
Step = Section within a program. Selection 1-9 possible.
If no changes are to be made, select the next field by using the –(down) button.

15
For changing the program step displayed, press ok. A value between 1 and 30 can
be selected using buttons +and –. Confirm your entry by pressing ok and the next
field "hours" will be blinking. If in the field "minutes" no entries are to be made,
select the next field by using the –(down) button.
Hours = Duration of the section in hours.
If no changes at "hours" are to be made, select the next field by using the –(down)
button. For any changes press ok; the ones column is highlighted and can be
changed with buttons +and –. For changing the tens column use button for mark-
ing and +and –for changing. Confirm your entry by pressing ok and the next field
"minutes" will be blinking.
Minutes = Duration of the section in minutes.
For entries press ok; the tens column is highlighted and can be changed by using
buttons +and –. For changing the ones column use button for marking and +and –
for changing. Confirm your entry by pressing ok and the next field "temp °C" will be
blinking.
Time "endless"
If a program step (normally the last one) shall be running without a time setting
until the program will be completed manually, i.e. endless, the hours and minutes
must be set to 00.
Temperature = Set temperature of the section.
The temperature set value is 37°C as standard. If no changes are to be made, select
the next field by using the –(down) button. To change this value press ok. Every
single digit can be changed. The cursor is placed at the tens column of the set value.
This value can be changed with buttons +and –. To change another digit in this
data field, it must be marked by buttons <and >. The highlighted value will be
changed with button +or –. After setting the value it must be confirmed with ok;
the field "rising time" will be blinking.
Rising time = Time setting for tempering the sample to set temperature. This set-
ting is only required if the sample is to be tempered slower than in presttings of the
device. If the sample is to be tempered as fast as possible, set the value to 0.
With "rising time" the heating or cooling speed compared with the normal speed

16
can be reduced. You have the possibility to determine a certain period (= rising
time; with a max. of 99 minutes to choose) in which a set temperature shall be
reached in the actual program step, if a slower than normal tempering is desired.
As shown in the illustration beside, a temperature of 60,0°C in step 2 shall be
reached within 20 minutes, starting from a temperature of 37,0°C in step 1. If no
changes are to be made in "rising time" (fastest possible heating or cooling time),
select the next field by using the –(down) button. For changing the standard value
0 press ok; the ones column is highlighted and can be changed with buttons
+and –. For changing the tens comlumn use button for marking and +and –for
changing. Confirm your entry by pressing ok and the next field "speed" will be blink-
ing.
Example of a temperature program:
Rotational speed =Shaking frequency with which the blocks are shaken.
The last number (1. digit) can not be selected and changed.
For "speed" 0 is set as standard. If no changes are to be made (tempering without
shaking), select the next field by using the –(down) button. To change this value
press ok; every single digit can be changed. The cursor is placed at the hundreds
column of the set value. This value can be changed with buttons +and –. To change
another digit in this data field, it must be marked by buttons <and >. The highlight-
ed value will be changed with button +or –. The last digit (ones column) cannot be
chosen and changed. After setting the value it must be confirmed with ok; the
field "pause" is blinking.

17
Interval shaking = Interval shaking is an alternative when the probe shall not
be subject to permanent shaking. A resting time of up to 9.9 minutes can be set in
"pause". The following short shaking time of up to 9 seconds is set in "mix sec".
This is a reasonable choice for the last program running of a complete program with
time setting "endless" during off working hours.
Pause [min] = Resting time of up to 9.9 minutes. If no intervals are to be set, enter
the value 0.0 here.
Duration of pause is 0.0 as standard. If no changes are to be made, select the next
field "step" by using the –(down) button. To change this value press ok; the ones
column is highlighted and can be changed by using buttons +and –. For changing
the 1/10 digit press button >; the digit is highlighted and can be changed with but-
tons +and –. Confirm your entry by pressing ok and the next field "mix sec" will be
blinking.
Mix [s] = Short shaking time up to 9 seconds after resting time.
For "mix sec" 1 is set as standard. If no changes are to be made, select the next field
"step" by using the –(down) button. For changing the shaking time press ok and
change time by using buttons +and –. Confirm your entry by pressing ok and the
next field "step" will be blinking.
Entry of further program steps
If another program step shall be added to
a chosen program, press ok at the blin-
king field "step" and increase the number
of the last program step by 1. Further
entries as already described.
To change the program data entry
To change the chosen program, enter the
program step number to be changed.
Select the field to be changed by using
buttons +and –. Press ok for changing.
Changes are made as already described

18
and must be confirmed with ok. Select a
corresponding field by using buttons +
and –or </ >.
Termination of program data entry
To complete a chosen program, mark
either "Start" (to start the program im-
mediately) - screen 6 will appear, or
"Startmenu" (to save the program only) -
screen 1 will appear. You can also select
"prog-no." (for entry of another pro-
gram). When "Delete" is selected, the
complete program with all program steps
as displayed is deleted
Starting a program
Select the relevant prog. no. and confirm
the Start button in the program menu.
Changing parameters during the
program process
Change of temperature and rotational
speed as well as performing a Short-Mix
are possible during a running program.
The set time is the time of the running
step, the remaining time is the time of
the complete process. In the lower right
part of the display, program no., cycle and
step are indicated.

19
Assembly of accessories
Anti-Condensation Plate BA 24 / 96
The anti-condensation plate BA 96 (800013000) is placed on the attached
block, no assembly steps are required. For using the anti-condensation plate
BA 24 (800012900), remove the socket screw in the block with the enclosed
Termination/ interruption of the
program:
If you push Stop, the options stop
process and continue process are dis-
played.
If you select stop process, the Start menu
or Save changes is displayed if parame-
ters have been changed during the pro-
cess.
If you select Continue with process the
selection Continue from stop or
Process Restart is displayed (program
starts from cycle 1, step 1).

20
screwdriver. Screw the enclosed threaded pin with isolation knob into the
anti-condensation plate. Place the anti-condensation plate on the block and
screw the threaded pin in deeper so that it takes hold of the bolt of the sys-
tem and with that tightly attaches block and anti-condensation to the system.
Data transfer
A USB 1.1. interface for the communication with a PC is provided as a stand-
ard. Connect the system via the USB-port on the left side with a USB-cable to
your PC. If this is not available at your computer, install the suitable USB-
driver. You will find it under www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm. These USB-
drivers generate a new virtual COM-interface in your PC. The chip in the Smart
Control is called FT232B.
Access process data via USB
Start a terminal program (e.g. Hyper terminal) on your PC. This program you
will find under Windows in "Programs" / "Accessories" / "Communication".
The window "Hyper Terminal" is opened. Proceed systematically, please note
that for the connection setting for "Bits per second" 115200 is selected. Select
at "Transfer": "Record Text", enter the location and define the file name as
.txt Start the Hyper Terminal and the process. Every minute, the following
data are recorded in text format and separated by comma in the form shown
on the right.
Since the data are separated by commas, you can easily create an Excel file
and generate one or more curves from that. If you open the text file you se-
lected for saving, you can see the complete process.