Molecular Devices EMax Plus User manual

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EMax®Plus Microplate Reader
Quick Start Guide
The EMax®Plus Microplate Reader is a filter-based absorbance microplate reader, with
eight standard filters for a wide range of applications. An external computer running the
SoftMax® Pro Microplate Data Acquisition and Analysis Software provides integrated
instrument control, data display, and statistical data analysis.
Setting Up the Instrument
Before setting up the EMax®Plus Microplate Reader, prepare a dry, flat work area that
has sufficient space for the instrument, host computer, and required cables. To provide
access for disconnecting power from the instrument, maintain a 20cm to 30cm (7.9in.
to 11.8in.) gap between the rear of the instrument and the wall. To ensure sufficient
ventilation, do not block the ventilation grid on the right side of the instrument.
Note: Make sure that the host computer meets or exceeds the system
requirements for the SoftMax Pro Software. See the SoftMax Pro Software
installation guide.
Setting up the instrument includes the following procedures:
Installing the SoftMax Pro Software. See the SoftMax Pro Software installation
guide.
Removing the Shipping Lock From the Microplate Carrier, see page 2
Connecting the Instrument Cables, see page 2
Starting the Instrument and the Software, see page 3
Selecting the Instrument in the Software, see page 4
Contents of the Package
The package contains the instrument and the tools and accessories that are required for
setting up the instrument as follows:
EMaxPlus Microplate Reader
EMaxPlus Microplate Reader Quick Start Guide
SoftMax Pro Software Product Key
USB computer connection cable
AC power adapter
For a complete list of the contents of the package, see the enclosed packing list.
Downloading the SoftMax Pro Software
Molecular Devices recommends that you install the SoftMax Pro Software on your host
computer before setting up the instrument.
To download the latest version of the software, visit:
www.MolecularDevices.com/SMPdownloadsite

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Removing the Shipping Lock From the Microplate Carrier
A red metal lock secures the microplate
carrier during shipping. This lock must be
removed before the instrument can be
used.
To remove the shipping lock, place one
hand on top of the lock, and then use
your other hand to carefully pull the
bottom of the lock until it comes free of
the instrument.
Note: Keep the shipping lock in
case of future transport needs.
Connecting the Instrument Cables
The power cord and USB cable connect to the ports on the rear of the instrument.
Connect the instrument to the controlling computer using the supplied USB cable. Use
the power cord supplied with the instrument to connect the instrument to a grounded
wall outlet.
To connect the instrument cables:
1. Make sure that the instrument and host computer are placed on a dry, flat work
area with sufficient space for both devices and the required cables. To ensure
sufficient ventilation and provide access for disconnecting power from the
instrument, maintain a 20cm to 30cm (7.9in. to 11.8in.) gap between the rear of
the instrument and the wall.
2. Make sure that the power switch on the rear of the instrument is in the
Offposition.
Do not turn on the power to the instrument until after the software has been
installed. See the SoftMax Pro Software installation guide.
Note: The instrument is supported by SoftMax Pro Software version 6.4.0.1
or later.
3. Connect one end of the supplied USB cable to one of the USB ports on the
computer, and then connect the other end of the USB cable to the USB port on the
rear of the instrument.
4. Connect the supplied power adapter to the power port on the rear of the
instrument, and then connect the other end of the power adapter to a grounded
electrical wall outlet.

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Starting the Instrument and the Software
1. Make sure that the software has been installed on the host computer. See the
SoftMax Pro Software installation guide.
2. Make sure that the instrument cables are properly and securely installed. See
Connecting the Instrument Cables on page 2.
3. Set the power switch on the rear of the instrument to the On position.
The indicator light on the front of the instrument illuminates when the power is on
and the instrument is ready for use.
When you first set up the instrument, it might be necessary to install USB drivers
before starting the SoftMax Pro Software.
4. Start the software. See the SoftMax Pro Software installation guide.
Molecular Devices recommends turning the power off when the instrument is not in use.
Activating Your Software License
When you first start the SoftMax Pro Software, the Software License Activation dialog is
displayed. If you are running a trial version of the software, click the Help tab in the
ribbon and then click Software License.
To activate your SoftMax Pro Software license:
If you have internet connectivity, type the Product Key in the field, click Activate
Online, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
If you do not have internet connectivity, click Activate Offline and then follow the
on-screen instructions.
To activate offline, you need your Product Key, a computer with internet
connectivity, and a USB drive for transferring files between the computers.
On the Internet-enabled computer, go to:
https://smplicensing.moleculardevices.com

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Selecting the Instrument in the Software
If the instrument is properly connected and turned on, the icon for the instrument is
displayed in the Home tab of the SoftMax Pro Software main window, and the correct
instrument is shown as selected.
Note: It is not necessary to be physically connected to an instrument to create a
protocol. If you are not connected to an instrument, you can work offline or in
simulation mode. See the SoftMax Pro Software application help or user guide.
The instrument icon shows the connection status of the instrument.
Icon Status
InstrumentConnected
InstrumentDisconnected
InstrumentSimulated
Table Q-1: InstrumentConnectionStatus
If the instrument status shows as disconnected, check to make sure that the instrument
is powered on and that the connections between the instrument and the computer are
secure.
To select the EMaxPlus Microplate Reader:
1. Click the Instrument icon on the Home tab of the ribbon.
2. In the Instrument Connection dialog, from the Available Instruments list, select the
communication port to which the instrument is connected.
If the communication port does not show in the list, click Refresh.
3. Click OK.

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Using the Instrument
Before operating the instrument, make sure that you are familiar with the Safety
Information in the user guide. The user guide is installed with the SoftMax Pro Software.
You can find the user guide in the Windows Start menu at:
Start > AllPrograms > Molecular Devices > SoftMax Pro > HardwareUserGuides
To view the user guides, use a PDF viewer such as Adobe Reader.
For information on controlling the instrument with the software, see the SoftMax Pro
Software application help or user guide.
This section includes the following topics:
Loading and Unloading Microplates on page 5
Setting Up an Absorbance Endpoint Experiment on page 7
Loading and Unloading Microplates
The microplate carrier on the EMaxPlus Microplate Reader moves in and out of the read
chamber during the read, and then returns to the home position after the read ends. If
the microplate carrier does not return to the home position, you can initialize the carrier
to return it to its home position by clicking Initialize in the Operations tab of the ribbon.
See the SoftMax Pro Software application help or user guide.
When the microplate carrier is in the home position, the round key on the front of the
instrument fits into the front of the carrier to open the microplate clamps. When the
carrier moves toward the read chamber, the clamps hold the microplate securely in the
carrier.
Figure Q-1: Round key in front of the microplate carrier

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To load a microplate into the instrument:
1. Make sure that the microplate carrier is in the home position.
2. Insert the prepared microplate in the microplate carrier with well A1 in the upper-
right position.
Figure Q-2: A1 position of the microplate carrier
To start a read, click Read on the Home tab in the ribbon to calibrate the lamp and
then move the microplate carrier into the read chamber to start the read.
After the read ends, the microplate carrier automatically homes. Between multiple-
wavelength or kinetic reads, the carrier waits in the home position before continuing. Do
not try to remove the microplate until the software indicates that the entire read is
complete.
Selecting Suitable Microplate Types
The instrument can read 96-well, clear-bottom microplates and strip wells. For most
applications use microplates with flat-bottom or round-bottom wells.
Molecular Devices recommends that you do not use V-bottom microplates unless an
application specifically requires their use. Irregular plastic density in the tip of the well
can cause inaccurate measurements.
The type of microplate and the way it is handled can have an effect on the measurement
performance of the instrument. Select a microplate type with properties suited for the
application.
CAUTION!To prevent damage to the instrument, the height of the microplate
must not exceed 15mm.
The following are some general microplate handling guidelines:
Never touch the clear well bottom of microplates.
Visually inspect the bottom and rim of the microplate before use to make sure it is
free of dirt and contaminants.
Keep unused microplates clean and dry.
Make sure the strips on strip plates are inserted correctly and level with the frame.

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Setting Up an Absorbance Endpoint Experiment
You can define the setting for your absorbance endpoint experiment in the SoftMax Pro
Software.
1. Turn on the instrument and start the SoftMax Pro Software. See Starting the
Instrument and the Software on page 3.
2. Select an instrument. See Selecting the Instrument in the Software on page 4.
3. With the Plate section active, click Settings on the Home tab in the ribbon.
4. Click ABS read mode.
5. Click Endpoint read type.
6. Select the wavelengths for the read.
Select up to six wavelengths.
Select the wavelengths from the list of installed filters.
7. Select the wells in the microplate to read.
You can choose to read an entire microplate or a subset of wells.
To select a contiguous, rectangular region on the microplate, drag the cursor to
select the wells to be read.
Columns do not need to start with “1” but must be contiguous.
To read all the wells in the microplate, select the Select All check box.
Note: If you select a subset of wells, the instrument reads the entire
microplate, but reports the data for the selected wells only.
8. Click OK.
9. Save the settings as a data file or a protocol file. See the SoftMax Pro Software
application help or user guide.
Data files contain the experiment settings, the raw data collected by your
reader, and the data analysis you might have completed.
Protocol files are experiment template files that contain microplate well
layout assignments and all other reader configuration information, but no
data.
After creating and saving the settings for your experiment, you can insert the prepared
microplate in the microplate carrier and start the read. See Loading and Unloading
Microplates on page 5.

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Obtaining Support
Molecular Devices is a leading worldwide manufacturer and distributor of analytical
instrumentation, software and reagents. We are committed to the quality of our
products and to fully supporting our customers with the highest possible level of
technical service.
Our support web site, www.moleculardevices.com/support.html , has a link to the
Knowledge Base with technical notes, software upgrades, safety data sheets, and other
resources. If you do not find the answers you are seeking, follow the links to the
Technical Support Service Request Form to send an email message to a pool of technical
support representatives.
You can contact your local representative or contact Molecular Devices Technical Support
by telephone at 800-635-5577 (U.S. only) or +1408-747-1700. In Europe call +44 (0) 118
944 8000.
Please have the system ID number, system serial number, software version number, and
the system owner’s name available when you call.
For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
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