Molecular Devices AquaMax 2000 User manual

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March 2023
AquaMax 2000
AquaMax 4000
Microplate Washers
User Guide

AquaMax 2000/4000 Microplate Washer User Guide
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All rights reserved.

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Contents
Safety Information 5
Warnings, Cautions, Notes, and Tips 5
Chapter 1: Introduction 9
Components 10
Chapter 2: Setting Up the Instrument 17
Unpacking the Instrument 17
Connecting Reagent Bottles 18
Connecting Waste Bottles 19
Installing Wash Heads 20
Connecting an AquaMax Microplate Washer to a StakMax Microplate Handler 21
Chapter 3: Getting Started 23
Administrative Mode 23
Chapter 4: Main Tab 25
Running Programs 26
Chapter 5: Program Tab 29
Managing the Program Library 31
Managing Program Steps 37
Chapter 6: Plates Tab 49
Managing Plate Type Definitions 50
Chapter 7: Options Tab 53
Turning Administrative Mode On 54
Changing Administrator Passcode/Turning Administrative Mode Off 54
Screen Calibration 55
Defining Advanced Options 55
Defining Shutdown Options 56
Chapter 8: Using a Host Computer for Instrument Control 57
Command Format 57
General Commands 58
Program Management Commands 63
Function Specific Step Arguments and Return Data 67
Plate Library Access 72

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StakMax Microplate Handler Control 75
Errors 77
Chapter 9: Maintenance 79
Purging the Instrument 79
Decontaminating the Instrument 79
Cleaning the Exterior 80
Cleaning Solutions 80
Removing the Wash Head 81
Cleaning Wash Heads 82
Changing the Fuses 82
Before You Move the Instrument 84
Powering Off the Instrument 84
Obtaining Support 85
Chapter 10: Troubleshooting 87
Instrument Error Messages 92
Appendix A: Instrument Specifications 95
Appendix B: AquaMax Sterilant 97
Contents 97
Preparing the Sterilant 98
Using the Sterilant 98
Warnings, Precautions, and Limitations 98
Appendix C: ELISA Based and Cell Based Applications 99
Using the Washer for ELISA Based Applications 99
Using the Washer for Cell Based Applications 99

Safety Information
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Safety Information
Information about the safe use of the instrument from Molecular Devices includes an
understanding of the user-attention statements in this guide, the safety labels on the
instrument, precautions to follow before you operate the instrument, and precautions to follow
while you operate the instrument.
Make sure that everyone involved with the operation of the instrument has:
Received instruction in general safety practices for laboratories.
Received instruction in specific safety practices for the instrument.
Read and understood all Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all materials being used.
Read and observe all warnings, cautions, and instructions. The most important key to safety is
to operate the instrument with care.
WARNING! If the instrument is used in a manner not specified by Molecular Devices,
the protection provided by the equipment might be impaired.
Warnings, Cautions, Notes, and Tips
All warning symbols are framed within a yellow triangle. An exclamation mark is used for most
warnings. Other symbols can warn of other types of hazards such as biohazard, electrical, or
laser safety warnings as are described in the text of the warning. Follow the related safety
information.
The following user attention statements might be displayed in the text of Molecular Devices
user documentation. Each statement implies the amount of observation or recommended
procedure.
WARNING! A warning indicates a situation or operation that could cause personal
injury if precautions are not followed.
CAUTION! A caution indicates a situation or operation that could cause damage to the
instrument or loss of data if correct procedures are not followed.
Note: A note calls attention to significant information.
Tip: A tip provides useful information or a shortcut, but is not essential to the completion
of a procedure.

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Symbols on the Instrument
Each safety label found on the instrument contains an alert symbol that indicates the type of
potential safety hazard.
Symbol Indication
Consult the product documentation.
Potential biohazard.
Potential electrical-shock hazard from a high-voltage source. Read and understand
all safety instructions before you proceed with the installation, maintenance, and
service of all modules. Power off the instrument and disconnect the power cord
before you do maintenance procedures that require removal of a panel or cover or
disassembly of an interior instrument component.
Power switch indicates power on.
Power switch indicates power off.
Fuse location.
European technology conformity.
United Kingdom technology conformity.
Certification by TUV Rheinland for compliance with US and Canadian product
safety standards.
California proposition 65 requires businesses to provide warnings to Californians
about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects, or other
reproductive harm.

Safety Information
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Electrical Safety
To prevent electrical injuries and property damage, inspect all electrical equipment before use
and report all electrical deficiencies. Contact Molecular Devices technical support for
equipment service that requires the removal of covers or panels.
WARNING! The instrument is an Equipment Class 1 product that relies on protective
earth grounding for safe operation. Any interruption of the protective earth ground
conductor, inside or outside the instrument, or disconnection of the protective earth
ground terminal can result in personal injury. Use only the power cord provided with
the equipment.
WARNING! The power cord is considered the means of disconnecting power from the
unit, do not position the equipment so that it is difficult to reach the power cord or
power switch on the rear enclosure.
Chemical and Biological Safety
Normal operation of the instrument can involve the use of materials that are toxic, flammable, or
otherwise biologically harmful. When you use such materials, observe the following
precautions:
Handle infectious samples based on good laboratory procedures and methods to prevent
the spread of disease.
Observe all cautionary information printed on the original containers of solutions before
their use.
Dispose of all waste solutions based on the waste disposal procedures of your facility.
Operate the instrument in accordance with the instructions outlined in this guide, and take
all the required precautions when using pathological, toxic, or radioactive materials.
Splashing of liquids can occur. Take applicable safety precautions, such as wearing safety
glasses and protective clothing when working with potentially hazardous liquids.
Observe the applicable cautionary procedures as defined by your safety officer when using
hazardous materials, flammable solvents, toxic, pathological, or radioactive materials in or
near a powered-up instrument.
WARNING! Never use the instrument in an environment where potentially damaging
liquids or gases are present.

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Moving Parts Safety
The instrument contains moving parts that can cause injury. Under normal conditions, the
instrument is designed to protect you from these moving parts.
To prevent injury:
Never try to exchange labware, reagents, or tools while the instrument is operating.
Never try to physically restrict the moving components of the instrument.
WARNING! Do not attempt to access the interior of the instrument unless specifically
instructed to do so. The moving parts inside the instrument can cause injury. Do not
operate the instrument with any covers or panels removed.
Note: Observe all warnings and cautions listed for all external devices attached to or in
use during the operation of the instrument. See the applicable user guide for the
operating and safety procedures of that device.

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Chapter 1: Introduction
You can configure the AquaMax® 2000 Microplate Washer and the AquaMax® 4000 Microplate
Washer to process 96-well and 384-well plates you use in both biochemical and cell-based
assays that meet your current application requirements. The modular design provides upgrade
options when your lab requirements change.
Wash heads are available in 96-well and 384-well configurations for both plate wash and
cell wash.
All wash heads are interchangeable. The software detects which wash head you install.
The AquaMax Microplate Washers prime, clean, and rinse the wash heads with the touch of
a single button.
The AquaMax Microplate Washers process all plate wells simultaneously during dispense,
aspirate, and wash operations.
Whole-well dispensing and aspiration in 384-well plates result in 2 to 4 times faster plate
processing than other commercially available plate washers.
The AquaMax Microplate Washers support most plate formats through the user-definable
plate library. You can store up to 32 plate types in the plate library.
The AquaMax 2000 Microplate Washer is equipped with two reagent ports to connect two
different dispense bottles and the AquaMax 4000 Microplate Washer has four reagent
ports to connect four different dispense bottles. You can drain waste into a waste bottle or
for non-toxic waste, directly into a sink. The AquaMax Microplate Washers support 4 L or 10
L bottles.
You control all washer operations through the instrument touch screen interface.
The program library stores three factory defined programs and 100 user defined programs.
Each program can contain up to 50 steps.
AquaMax Microplate Washers are compatible with Molecular Devices the StakMax® Microplate
Handling System and other robots.
You can bypass the instrument touch screen and use a host computer to control the AquaMax
Microplate Washers through a USB command interface. See Using a Host Computer for
Instrument Control on page 57.
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Components
Item Description
1 4 L reagent reservoirs
2 Back panel with USB and StakMax Microplate Handler connectors
3 384-well wash head
4 96-well wash head
5 Plate carriage with plate
6 Touch screen
AquaMax 4000 Microplate Washer Components
Touch Screen
You use the touch screen to control the instrument operation. The touch screen displays the
instrument status and provides access to instrument settings and programs. The touch screen
also controls the StakMax Microplate Handler, when attached.

Chapter 1: Introduction
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Wash Heads
Plate wash heads have either 96 or 384 paired probes. The instrument uses the long probe for
aspiration and the short probe to dispense. The plate wash heads have straight dispense
probes for thorough cleaning and aspiration. The cell wash heads have angled dispense
probes to minimize cell loss during washing.
The wash heads are interchangeable and a lever mechanism allows you to remove and re-
attach the wash heads.
Item Description
1 Close
2 Open
96-Well Plate Wash Head Lock
Note: If you use a 96-well wash head for a 384-well plate or vice versa, a motor pinch
error occurs when the wash head tries to descend toward the wells. A mismatch should
not damage the wash head.
Each wash head has a clear plastic guard to protect the probes from damage, and to prevent
spills, sprays, and injury to users.
Item Description
1 Plastic guard
2 Aspiration and dispense probes on underside of wash head
384-Well Plate Wash Head and Guard

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Plate Carriage
The plate carriage is located on the right side of the washer. The plate carriage slides in and out
of the wash chamber to load and unload.
Item Description
1 Plate carriage in eject position
2 384-well plate
3 384 wash head
Plate Carriage
CAUTION! Do not obstruct the movement of the plate carriage during operation.
Obstruction can damage the instrument.
Supported Plate Types
You can define plate types and store up to 32 plate types in the plate library. AquaMax
Microplate Washers accommodate rigid SBS-standard polystyrene and polypropylene plates
with dimensions 128.2 mm (L) × 86.0 mm (W), and heights ranging from 13.5 mm to 15.5 mm,
including:
96-well and 384-well standard formats (U-bottom, V-bottom, or Flat)
96-well half area
96-well and 384-well small volume
Note: Some plates with conical or tapered wells and some small volume plates are not
compatible with bottom wash and aspirate operations.
96-well strip plates fall outside SBS guidelines, and compatibility of these plates with the
instrument varies across brands. Plates with strips that are held firmly in a more rigid frame and
have smaller tabs are generally more washer compatible. You should avoid plates with strips
that have large tabs and are held loosely in a flexible frame, such as Nunc strip plates with C8
configuration. If you are unsure whether a plate is compatible, consult Technical Support or
your sales representative before proceeding.
The instrument supports magnetic bead washing using the Dexter Magnetic Technologies
LifeSep magnetic bead separator adapter plates.

Chapter 1: Introduction
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Plate Library
The following plate types are in the plate library when you turn the instrument on for the first
time. See Plates Tab on page 49.
Name # Wells Bottom Manufacturers’ # Height
(mm)
Depth
(mm)
Costar 96 Flat 3650, 3916, 3915, 3361, 3590, 9018, 3591, 9017,
3641, 3628, 3370, 2507, 2509, 2503, 3665, 3600,
3362, 3917, 3912
14.20 10.67
Falcon 96 Flat 353915, 353228, 353937, 353279, 353941,
353296
14.25 10.59
Greiner 96 Flat 655101 14.40 10.90
Nunc 96 Flat 165305 14.80 12.50
Costar 384 Flat 3640, 3652, 3654, 3662, 3680, 3700, 3701, 3702,
3703, 3704, 3705, 3708, 3709, 3710; 3723
14.20 11.43
Falcon 384 Flat 353234, 353239, 353962 14.32 11.50
Greiner 384 Flat 781091 14.40 11.50
Nunc 384 Flat 142761 14.40 11.70
Plate Library Plate Type Specifications

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Reagent and Waste Bottle Ports
The source channels and waste connections are located on the left side of the instrument. The
AquaMax 2000 Microplate Washer has two source channels and the AquaMax 4000
Microplate Washer has four. Each source channel is composed of a fluid input, a pressure
output, and an optional level sensor connector and you can connect each source channel to a
reagent bottle. You can drain waste into a waste bottle and you can install a waste sensor to
detect a full waste bottle. You can drain non-toxic waste directly into a sink.
The AquaMax Microplate Washers support 4 L or 10 L bottles.
Item Description
1 Waste full sensor input
2 Waste fluid output
3 Source channels (green, red, blue, and yellow)*
4 Source bottle pressure outputs
5 Source bottle fluid inputs
6 Source bottle empty sensor inputs
AquaMax 4000 Microplate Washer
*The AquaMax 2000 Microplate Washer has only green and red inlets.

Chapter 1: Introduction
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Back Panel
The power switch, power cord receptacle, communication ports, and instrument information,
are located on the back panel of the instrument.
Labels and text next to the power switch provide important information about the instrument,
such as line voltage rating and serial number. Use the model/serial number on this label when
you contact Molecular Devices for technical support.
Item Description
1 Power switch
2 Power cord receptacle
3 Serial number
Back Panel Right Side
There are two communication ports on the left side of the back panel.
Use the USB Type B port to control a robotic plate handler. Use the StakMax communication
port to control StakMax Microplate Handler operations. The StakMax control cable is available
with the StakMax Microplate Handler integration kit (Part Number: 0310-5454).
Item Description
1 USB port
2 StakMax
USB and StakMax Connectors

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Chapter 2: Setting Up the Instrument
Set up the instrument on a level surface, away from direct sunlight, dust, drafts, and vibrations.
WARNING! Shock Hazard. To avoid electrical shock, turn the power switch to the OFF
position and remove the power cord before you install or move the instrument.
WARNING! Risk of fire, explosion, or shock. Do not operate the instrument in an
environment where potentially damaging liquids or gases are present.
CAUTION! Do not operate the instrument in an environment with a temperature below
15°C.
CAUTION! Do not touch or loosen any screws or parts unless specifically instructed by
Molecular Devices. Doing so can cause misalignment and voids the instrument warranty.
Unpacking the Instrument
WARNING! The AquaMax Microplate Washers weigh approximately 18.5 kg (41 lbs).
Lift with care.
The AquaMax Microplate Washer ships in two specially designed containers.
The base unit box contains the washer unit and accessories (manual, power cord, waste
tube, and tubing label kit):
AquaMax 2000 Microplate Washer (Part Number: 0310-5363)
AquaMax 4000 Microplate Washer (Part Number: 0310-5227)
The tubing label kit contains 4×3 pieces of colored slip-on plastic spiral wraps, one
group of each color, to label bottle connections (liquid, pressure, level sensor).
The wash head box contains up to four wash heads, each in a clamshell container:
96-Well Microplate Wash Head (Part Number: 0310-5216T)
96-Well Cell Wash Head (Part Number: 0310-5217T)
384-Well Microplate Wash Head (Part Number: 0310-5219T)
384-Well Cell Wash Head (Part Number: 0310-5218T)
The standard AquaMax Microplate Washer does not include bottles. If you purchase bottles
separately, check to make sure that all bottles and tubing are present. Each reservoir bottle
should contain a cap, fluid tubing, and air tubing. The waste bottle should contain its own waste
tubing.
Reagent and waste bottles:
4-Liter Reservoir without Level Sensor (Part Number: 5000801)
4-Liter Reservoir with Level Sensor (Part Number: 5000802)
10-Liter Reservoir (Part Number: 9000-0299)
10-Liter Waste Reservoir (Part Number: 9000-0296)
The AquaMax Microplate Washers support 4 L or 10 L bottles.
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Keep all boxes and packing materials including the clamshell containers for the wash heads.
Use the original packing materials for long-term storage of the instrument. You must use the
original packing material if you ship the instrument for repair.
Note: If a box is damaged in transit, it is important that you retain the box for inspection
by the carrier in case there is damage to the instrument.
Connecting Reagent Bottles
Each reagent bottle comes with two quick-connect fittings and tubing in two sizes. The larger
tube is for fluid. The smaller tube is for bottle pressure.
The AquaMax Microplate Washers support 4 L or 10 L bottles only.
Item Description
1 Small fitting for pressure connection
2 Large fitting for liquid input
3 Level sensor fitting on the instrument
4 Liquid input fitting on the instrument
5 Pressure connector on the instrument
Reagent Bottles and Connections Fittings
CAUTION! The source bottle and waste fluid fittings are the same size. Do not connect
source bottles to the waste output, or damage to the instrument can occur.
CAUTION! Pressurized bottles for the AquaMax Microplate Washers provide up to 5
years of service. Eventually, the bottles will show signs of aging such as yellowing, plastic
degradation, or thread wear. You should replace bottles at the earliest signs of aging.
Use only bottles supplied for use with the AquaMax 2000 Microplate Washer and the
AquaMax 4000 Microplate Washer.

Chapter 2: Setting Up the Instrument
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To connect a reagent bottle:
1. Fill the bottle with a reagent and tighten the cap firmly.
Tip: For quick and accurate assembly of reagent bottles, use slip-on rings to color-
code all tube and sensor connections.
2. Connect one end of the fluid tube to the large fitting on the bottle cap.
3. Connect the other end to a Liquid Input on the left side of the instrument (green, red, blue,
or yellow).
Tip: Push down on the metal fitting of the quick connector to ease the fitting into
place.
4. Connect one end of the pressure tube to the small fitting on the bottle cap.
5. Connect the other end to the Pressure fitting below the Liquid Input.
6. If the bottle has an Empty sensor, connect the sensor to the Level Sensor connector above
the Liquid Input fitting.
Connecting Waste Bottles
Item Description
1 Waste sensor connector
2 Waste output fitting
3 Waste bottle
4 Waste full sensor
5 Waste tube
Waste Bottle and Connection Fittings

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To connect a waste bottle:
1. Connect the quick connect fitting of the waste tube to the Waste Output fitting on the left
side of the instrument.
2. Connect the free end of the tube to a vented waste container.
For non-toxic waste you can place the free end of the tube directly into a sink. The open
end of the waste tube must be below the level of the microplate washer and must remain
free of obstruction.
CAUTION! An obstructed waste tube can damage the instrument.
3. If the bottle has a waste full sensor, connect the waste full sensor to the Waste Sensor input
fitting.
WARNING! Biohazard. Waste tubing must be connected during operation. Waste
fluid is ejected out of the waste port. If no waste tube is connected, waste will
spray and spill from the waste output port.
CAUTION! Waste containers must be vented. Connecting the waste tube to a
pressurized or closed vessel will cause damage to the waste pump.
Installing Wash Heads
CAUTION! The probes on the underside of the wash head are delicate. Take care when
you handle the wash heads.
To install a wash head:
1. Install the wash head either 96 or 384. Wash heads ship pre-qualified and will work with any
base unit.
2. Move the lever to the left to lock the wash head in place.
3. Power on the instrument power switch located on the back panel.
The following operations occur as the instrument initializes when powered on:
The wash head rises to prepare for a plate to load.
The touch screen turns on and displays the instrument status.
The plate carriage and wash head motor find home and return to the eject position.