Molecular Devices SkanWasher 300 User manual

SkanWasher 300
User Guide
ANALL-INCLUSIVE AUTOMATIC MICROPLATE WASHER

ii SkanWasher 300 User Guide
1311 Orleans Drive
Sunnyvale, CA 94089 USA
0112-0063 Rev. B
Copyright
© Copyright 2003, Molecular Devices Corporation. All rights reserved. No
part of this publication may be photocopied or reproduced in any form with-
out the prior written permission of Molecular Devices Corporation, 1311
Orleans Drive, Sunnyvale, California, 94089, USA.
Trademarks and Patents
SkanWasher is a trademark of Molecular Devices Corporation (MDC) and is
not to be used in any type of promotion or advertising without permission
from MDC. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of
their respective owners.
Disclaimer
Molecular Devices Corporation reserves the right to change its products and
services at any time to incorporate technological developments. This user
guide is subject to change without notice.
Although this user guide has been prepared with every precaution to ensure
accuracy, Molecular Devices Corporation assumes no liability for any errors
or omissions, nor for any damages resulting from the application or use of this
information.

SkanWasher 300 User Guide iii
Chapter 1: Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
About This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Key to Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Safety Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Serial Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Package Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Chapter 2: Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Chapter 3: Parts and Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Wash Head. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Microplate Lift. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Control Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
LED Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Instrument Rear Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Pressure/Vacuum Washer Parts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
External Vacuum Source. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Hydrophobic filter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Internal Pressure Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Chapter 4: Software Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Setup Function. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Edit Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Edit Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Chapter 5: Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Starting a Wash Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Chapter 6: Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Daily Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Empty Wash Head Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Weekly Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Monthly Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Advanced Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Dispense test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Clogged Probes or Rinse Inlet Channels. . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Removal of wash head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Table of Contents

iv SkanWasher 300 User Guide
Replacing Probes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Microplate Lift Adjustment (Tilt and Vertical). . . . . . . . 33
Chapter 7: Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Troubleshooting Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Error Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Vacuum pump Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Adjusting vacuum pump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Discharge test for vacuum pump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Compare pump with internal vacuum sensor . . . . . . . . . 43
Application Tips: SkanWasher 300/ SkanStacker . . . . . . . . . 44
Appendix A: Serial Communication Option (RS-232) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
Installation of Serial Communication option . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
Communication Protocol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-3
Appendix B: Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-7
Physical. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-7
Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-7
Chemical. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-7
Appendix C: Shipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-6
Appendix D: Decontamination Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-8
Appendix E: Wash Program Sheets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-9
Appendix F: Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-15
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

SkanWasher 300 User Guide v
Figure 1: Waste reservoir and vacuum pump. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Figure 2: Wash and rinse liquid reservoirs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Figure 3: Microplate holder, flat- or round-bottom plates . . . . . . . 2-7
Figure 4: Microplate holder and lift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Figure 5: Washhead with locking screws and spirit level . . . . . . . 2-8
Figure 6: SkanWasher 300 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Figure 7: Control Panel, LCD and Touch Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Figure 8: Rear of the SkanWasher 300 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Figure 9: Aspirate probe height position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
Figure 10: Dispense probe height position. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
Figure 11: Wash Head Inlet Channel Seal Block. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-30
Figure 12: Wash Head Outlet Channel Seal Block . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-31
Figure 13: Washhead Disconnect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-32
Figure 14: Adjustment Procedure Lift Version A . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-35
Figure 15: Version B Microplate Lift Adjustment. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-37
Figure 16: Row Angle Adjustment, Lift Version B . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-38
Figure 17: SW300 Main PCB - Connectors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
Figures

vi SkanWasher 300 User Guide
Table 1: Wash Step Selections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
Table 2: Troubleshooting Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-39
Tables

SkanWasher 300 User Guide 1
Chapter 1: Introduction
Overview
The need to thoroughly wash unbound antigens, antibodies, binding proteins,
enzymes, or receptors from a solid-phase binding support is one of the most
important steps in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The
SkanWasher 300 meets this demand and those of other numerous laboratory
assays now being performed in 96-well microplates where thorough washing
is an essential component of the assay.
The SkanWasher 300 is designed to wash 96-well microplates. The process of
setting up wash parameters is flexible and allows you to modify or choose the
following settings:
Aspirate probe height and position in the well for low residual
volume.
Dispense probe height and position in the well for washing the active
part of well.
Inlet wash buffer flow rate for gentle or hard wash.
Washing with meniscus.
Microprocessor-controlled timing.
Aspiration from the top of the well with adjustable lift speed.
Wash all 96 wells simultaneously.
Dispense only function.
Dispense volume adjustment.
Adjustable vacuum pump with manometer.
Electronic pressure regulation.

Introduction
2 SkanWasher 300 User Guide
About This Guide
Chapter 1: This section will give you an introduction and details of what to
expect in this Guide.
Chapter 2: Installation instructions will be outlined.
Chapter 3: Details will be given on unit parts to introduce common terminol-
ogy used throughout this Guide.
Chapter 4: This section will detail use of the software to set up programs and
configuration of the instrument.
Chapter 5: General operations will be detailed.
Chapter 6: Detailed procedures will be listed for care and maintenance of
instrument.
Chapter 7: Troubleshooting tips, error messages, and advanced troubleshoot-
ing will be outlined.
Appendix: This section will include instrument specifications, serial commu-
nication option, shipping information, warranty information, and
program sheets.
Key to Symbols
Symbols are used throughout this Guide to indicate important or helpful infor-
mation that is not directly part of an instruction. The symbols used are the fol-
lowing:
SCAUTION: Alerts user to
situations that could result in
instrument damage or failure to
complete a procedure.
!! IMPORTANT: Information that
you need to know to perform a task
properly.
&TIP: Helpful information that can
simplify a task.

Introduction
SkanWasher 300 User Guide 3
Safety Features
The SkanWasher 300 is equipped with four sensors that help to safeguard
operation before the actual wash. When starting the program, the SkanWasher
300 automatically verifies the status of the following:
Pressure pump operating at the correct level
Microplate in the microplate lift
Space remaining in the waste reservoir (alarm will sound when 3/4
full)
Waste vacuum operating at the correct level
Sensors can be disabled through the Setup menu / Edit Options. Consult
page 19 for procedure.
Serial Number
The serial number of the unit can be found on the left side of the instrument.
Package Content
The SkanWasher 300 system includes the following:
SkanWasher 300 Instrument
Microplate platform
Tool kit, including probe cleaner, Allen keys, and two wash head
screws
Power cord
User guide
Reference card (located in slot on back panel of instrument)
Adjustable feet for leveling instrument
Reservoir and Tubing
40 L/min vacuum pump (2.8 m3/h)
Buffer reservoir (4 L)
Rinse reservoir (4 L)
Waste collection vessel (15 L) with level sensor and waste tubing
(red)
Tubing set
zInlet tubing for buffer (inlet) and rinse (blue and green)
zPressure tubing (yellow)
zVacuum tubing (black) with hydrophobic filter

SkanWasher 300 User Guide 4
Chapter 2: Installation
Step 1 Verify voltage is properly set for incoming line voltage.
Check that the current voltage setting is pointing to the small
white mark.
Step 2 Change voltage setting, if indicated.
Pry open the fuse compartment with a small screwdriver.
Turn the switch around until the proper setting is pointing to the
small white mark on the bottom of the casing.
Verify correct fuses are in place, change if indicated.
z230 VAC= 1A fuse
z115 VAC = 2A fuse
Reinstall switch.
Step 3 Connect the power cord.
Insert the power cord into the receptacle located on the back of
the instrument.
Plug the power cord into the main power outlet.
&TIP: Save the packing material for
future use in shipping instrument.
!! IMPORTANT: Fuse compartment
is located below the main power
receptacle on the back of the
instrument.
SCAUTION: Before connecting
the main power, ensure voltage
setting is correct (Step 1).

Installation
5 SkanWasher 300 User Guide
Step 4 Connect Waste Reservoir (refer to Figure 1).
Connect the outlet tubing line (red) from the Waste port on waste
reservoir to the Vacuum port on the side of the instrument (vac-
uum grade tubing required with straight-through quick coupling).
Connect the waste alarm cable from the waste reservoir to the
Waste Alarm port on the back on the instrument located below
the power receptacle.
Connect vacuum tubing from Vacuum quick connect on waste
reservoir to tubing from vacuum pump. (Hydrophobic filter
should be connected to tubing from vacuum pump with arrow on
filter facing pump.)
Figure 1: Waste reservoir and vacuum pump
Step 5 Connect the Wash and Rinse Liquids (refer to Figure 2).
Connect the pressure tubing (yellow) from the wash buffer and
rinse reservoir to the Pressure port on the side of the instrument.
SCAUTION: It is recommended
to use the waste collection
vessel provided by Molecular
Devices. These bottles are
implosion proof with a
“tankful” sensor and a built-in
foam reducer.
Waste Reservoir
Vacuum Pump
SW 300

Installation
SkanWasher 300 User Guide 6
Connect the tubing from the wash buffer (blue) and rinse reser-
voir (green) to the Inlet and Rinse ports on the left side of the
instrument.
Figure 2: Wash and rinse liquid reservoirs
Step 6 Insert microplate lift.
Select the appropriate plate type (round or flat-bottom wells) in
use by selecting the correct printed pattern on the side of the
microplate holder (See Figure 3).
Push the plate holder onto the two rods on the microplate lift until
it snaps in place. (see Figure 4).
!! IMPORTANT: Do not fill the
reservoir bottles completely. Allow
approximately 20% free space for
air pressure.
Waste Reservoir
Vacuum Pump
Washhead
InletRinse
Hyd. Filter
Vacuum Pressure Rinse Pressure Inlet

Installation
7 SkanWasher 300 User Guide
Figure 3: Microplate holder, flat- or round-bottom plates
Figure 4: Microplate holder and lift

Installation
SkanWasher 300 User Guide 8
Step 7 Replace washhead screws
Remove the two (2) transportation screws on top of the washhead
(see Figure 5).
Replace screws with two (2) PCV grip screws (included with
packaging) using the Allen key from tool kit.
Step 8 Set up vacuum pump and adjust if necessary.
Figure 5: Washhead with locking screws and spirit level
Spirit level
Washhead locking screws

SkanWasher 300 User Guide 9
Chapter 3: Parts and Description
Figure 6: SkanWasher 300
Wash Head
The wash head contains 96 paired probes: the longer probes are used
when aspirating and the shorter probes are used when dispensing.The
wash head is a combined manifold and wash head, equipped with 3
valves, electronic sensors, and a level to assist in leveling the wash
head.
The wash head is removable, using the two adjustment knobs, to
allow access to its internal channels for cleaning and maintenance.
Microplate Lift
The microplate lift ensures that the microplate is positioned
accurately during each stage of the wash program. The function of the
lift is to minimize contamination of the wash probes (probes are not
submerged into the liquid in the wells).
The vertical velocity of the lift is fixed except during the aspirate
function: the longer the aspirate time, the slower the lift moves
Adjustment knobs
Washhead
Microplate lift
Control panel

Parts and Description
10 SkanWasher 300 User Guide
upward toward the aspirate probes.This creates a very gentle
aspiration and avoids disturbing the coating in the wells.
The lift can accommodate both flat- and round-bottom plates. A
pattern of the plate type is printed on the side of the microplate holder.
To accommodate the other type of microplate, the microplate holder
is removed, turned around, and replaced.
The lift automatically returns to the home position (lower) when the
instrument is powered on.
Control Panel
The control panel located on the front of the SkanWasher 300 contains eight
touch keys, three LEDs, and an LCD display, all of which are used to program
and control the instrument.
Figure 7: Control Panel, LCD and Touch Keys
The control panel can be divided into three separate parts detailed below:
LCD Display
Displays messages during programming, setup, and during a run.
Setup/Program
The five dark gray keys ([Setup], [Program], [Enter], and the up
and down arrow keys) are used to select and enter parameters when
SkanWASHER
Ready
Stop
Display
Start
Rinse
LED-Setup
LED-Program
Increase
Decrease
Enter
LED-Ready
Program

Parts and Description
SkanWasher 300 User Guide 11
programming the SkanWasher 300. When the [Setup] or Program]
key is pressed, its corresponding LED will light.
Wash
zThe three light gray keys ([Start], [Rinse], and [Stop]) are used
to run a pre-selected wash sequence or rinse or prime. When the
SkanWasher 300 is ready for wash, the Ready LED light turns on.
zThe [Stop] key is used to halt operation in the event of a prob-
lem.
Press the [Stop] key to interrupt current operation, and the
LCD will display a stop message.
Press the [Stop] key a second time to return to the main
menu. (The microplate lift will move down to home posi-
tion.)
LED Display
There are three LEDs that light up indicating various functions:
Setup: LED will light when user is in setup mode.
Program: LED will light when user is in program mode.
Ready: LED will light when unit is ready for wash.
Instrument Rear Connections
Figure 8: Rear of the SkanWasher 300
Plate holder
Pocket for reference card
Washhead
Inlet/outlet connections
Main power
Waste alarm connector
Pressure ports

Parts and Description
12 SkanWasher 300 User Guide
Part Description
Inlet ports Located on the left side of the unit’s wash head. Two reser-
voir containers can be connected to the Inlet and Rinse
ports. Two 4 L reservoir bottles are provided with the sys-
tem to accommodate a buffer (blue color-coded tubing)
and rinse (green color-coded tubing) solution.
Vacuum port Located on the left side of the unit. The waste collection
reservoir is connected to this port via the waste tubing (red
color-coded). It is recommended to use the waste collec-
tion vessel that is provided with the system.Vacuum pres-
sure is adjusted using gauge on vacuum pump.
Pressure
ports
Located on the left side of the unit. The pressure tubing
(yellow color-coded) is connected to these ports from the
buffer and rinse reservoir bottle.
Main power Located on the back panel of the unit. This contains the
main power receptacle, which includes the power switch
and fuses (1 amp for 230 Vac/ 2 amp for 115 Vac). The
selected voltage setting (110-220 VAC or 220-240 VAC)
will point towards the white arrow. Up to three power
cords are included with the system to handle either voltage
settings as well as UK power plug. Consult Chapter 2:
Installation for directions to change fuses and/or voltage
setting.
Waste alarm
connector
Located on the back panel of the unit. The waste alarm
cable is connected to this port.
Microplate
holder
Most commonly available 96-well microplates may be
used with this instrument, including V- and C- shaped bot-
tom plates. The instrument is factory set for flat- and
round-bottom microplates. To ensure excellent aspiration
and low residual volume, the aspiration probe must be
positioned at the bottom of the well. This can be adjusted
through the on-board software program.