Molecular Devices SpectraMax iD3 User manual

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October 2018
SpectraMax® iD3
Multi-Mode Microplate Reader
Installation Guide

SpectraMax iD3 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader Installation Guide
2 5054744 C
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Contents
Chapter 1: Setting Up the Instrument 4
Package Contents 5
Unpacking the Instrument 7
Removing the Transport Locks 9
Connecting Instrument Cables 12
Assembling Injectors 13
Getting Started 17
Defining Date, Time, and Global Read Settings 18
Getting the Instrument On Your Network 19
Installing the QuickSync Tool 20
Chapter 2: Before You Move the Instrument 22
Installing Transport Locks 24

Chapter 1: Setting Up the Instrument
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Chapter 1: Setting Up the Instrument
Before you unpack and setup the SpectraMax®SpectraMax iD3 Multi-Mode Plate Reader,
prepare a dry, flat work area that has sufficient space for the instrument and required cables.
All software required to run basic non-injector reads is installed in the instrument and is
accessible from the touchscreen.
You can export data to a computer over your intranet, through a direct Ethernet cable, or to
a USB flash drive in an Excel format for further analysis.
You must use a computer running the SoftMax® Pro Software to operate the instrument for
advanced acquisition settings and for protocols that use the SpectraMax®Injector System
with SmartInject™. See the SoftMaxPro User Guide.
The SoftMax Pro Software installation automatically installs the QuickSync tool. You can
choose to install only the QuickSync tool.
Note: When you use a computer running the SoftMax Pro Software to operate the
instrument, the instrument touchscreen is locked.
The SoftMax Pro Software installation places a copy of the available microplate reader user
guides (.pdf) in the following location on the computer:
C:\ProgramData\Molecular Devices\User Guides
The most recent version of the microplate reader user guides and the SoftMax Pro Data
Acquisition and Analysis Software User Guide are available on the Molecular Devices
Knowledge Base:
In the software, select the Home tab, click Contact Us, and then select Knowledge Base.
Or go to www.moleculardevices.com/service-support.

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Package Contents
The package contains the instrument plus a box that contains the tools and accessories
required to install the instrument.
Illustration Part Number Description
SoftMax Pro Software Latest Version SoftMax Pro Software with Product Key and
QuickSync tool
5054744 Installation guide
YW 000 006 Hex key, 2.0mm
YW 000 012 Holex HEXAGONballhead bolt driver 3 mm
5052189 CAT6 Ethernet cable, 2meter (6.56foot)
4400-0002 or
4400-0036
Power cord, 115 V
or Power cord, 230 V
5061514 Near Field Communication (NFC)magnets.
5056339 Near Field Communication (NFC)key fob (NTAG
213, 180 byte).

Chapter 1: Setting Up the Instrument
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When your instrument has the SpectraMax Injector System the package also contains the
following.
Illustration Part Number Description
5055247 Injector Nozzle
5044164 Tubing
5055251 Bottle Holder
5044165 Bottle Adapters
5044163 Waste Plate
Cannot order from Molecular Devices
Wide-neck bottle, HDPE
50mL capacity
36mm square by 68mm high
24mm diameter inside neck
Recommended supplier: VWR (215-0440)
Bottles
Cannot order from Molecular Devices
Strip wells, polystyrene
1x8, clear, flat-bottomed
Recommended supplier: Greiner Bio-One (762001)
Strip well
Package Contents For Injectors
For a complete list of the contents of the package, see the enclosed packing list.

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Unpacking the Instrument
The packaging is designed to protect the instrument during transportation.
Transport locks are placed on the transport slide and the plate drawer to protect the
instrument from damage during shipment. You must remove the transport locks before you
power on the instrument.
WARNING! LIFTING HAZARD. To prevent injury, use a minimum of two
people to lift the instrument.
Note: Retain the shipping box and all packaging materials for future transport needs.
Do not use tools that can damage the packaging or the instrument.
CAUTION! When transporting the instrument, warranty claims are void if improper
packing results in damage to the instrument.
To unpack the instrument:
1. Check the box for damage that occurred during transportation. Inform the supplier
immediately and keep the damaged packaging.
CAUTION! Keep the box upright. Do not tip or tilt the box or place it on its side.
2. With the box facing up as indicated, cut open the side of the box labeled Open Here.

Chapter 1: Setting Up the Instrument
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3. Grasp the handle on the cardboard and slide the instrument out of the box.
4. Remove the accessories tool box.
CAUTION! Keep the instrument upright and level when lifting. Do not tip or shake
the instrument to prevent damage to the instrument.
5. Remove the foam packaging from both ends and then remove the plastic bag from the
instrument.
6. With one person on each end, lift the instrument to a dry, flat area. You will need to
access the back of the instrument to remove the transport lock and to connect the
instrument cables.

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Removing the Transport Locks
CAUTION! The instrument can be damaged if the transport locks are not removed
before the instrument is powered on.
Transport locks are placed on the transport slide and the plate drawer to protect the
instrument during shipment.
Illustration PartNumber Description
YW 000 006 Hex key, 2.0mm
YW 000 012 Holex HEXAGONballhead bolt driver 3 mm
Required Tools
CAUTION! Do not touch or loosen screws or parts other than those specifically
designated in the instructions. Doing so could cause misalignment and possibly void
the warranty.
To remove the transport lock:
1. Remove the black cover from the travel lock opening in the center on the rear of the
instrument. This cover prevents high dark counts for Luminescence reads and will be put
back in after the following step.

Chapter 1: Setting Up the Instrument
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2. Use the provided 3.0 mm Holex HEXAGON ballhead bolt driver to loosen the screw
located inside the Transport Lock opening until you feel the spring release.
Note: The screw remains inside the instrument. The screw is spring mounted and
cannot get lost within the instrument. It could take ten full turns to loosen the
screw until you feel the spring release. This unlocks the transport slide. If the
instrument makes a grinding noise when you start a plate read, you have not
released the transport slide.
3. Replace the black cover in travel lock opening. This cover prevents high dark counts for
Luminescence reads.
4. On the front of the instrument, gently pull the yellow tab protruding from the plate
chamber door to open the door. You must hold the plate drawer door open while you
remove the transport lock.
Note: Be careful not to tear the yellow tab. It must remain attached to the
transport lock to make it easier to open the plate chamber door.
5. Use the provided 2.0mm hex key to loosen screw #1 in the upper-left corner of the
transport lock until the lock disconnects from the instrument frame. The screw has a
retaining washer that prevents it from being removed from the lock.
Tip: After you loosen screw #1, pull the plate drawer slightly out of the instrument
to hold the chamber door open.

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Item Description
1 Screw #1 fastens the lock to the internal frame of the instrument
2 Screw #2 fastens the lock to the plate drawer
3 Screw #3 fastens the lock to the plate drawer
4 Plate drawer
5 Plate door in open position
6 Plate drawer transport lock
Plate Drawer Transport Lock
6. Loosen screws #2 and #3 until the lock comes free of the plate drawer and you can
remove the lock from the instrument. The screws have retaining washers that prevent
them from being removed from the lock. Store the transport lock in the accessories tool
box included with the microplate reader.
7. Push the plate drawer back inside the instrument and close the chamber door.
8. Save the original carton, foam inserts, accessories tool box, and transport locks for
future shipments.

Chapter 1: Setting Up the Instrument
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Connecting Instrument Cables
The power cord and Ethernet cable connect to the ports on the rear of the instrument. The
Ethernet port enables you to connect the instrument to your intranet (similar to a printer) or
to connect the instrument directly to a computer. When the instrument is connected to
your intranet, you can synchronize any computer on the same intranet with the instrument,
within security and firewall restrictions. You can synchronize multiple computers to an
instrument and multiple instruments to a computer over your intranet.
Illustration Part Number Description
5052189 CAT6 Ethernet cable, 2meter (6.56foot)
4400-0002 or
4400-0036
Power cord, 1meter (3.3foot)
Required Accessories
To connect the cables to the instrument:
1. Connect one end of the supplied Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port on the instrument
and then connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to a network wall outlet.
2. Use the power cord supplied with the instrument to connect the instrument to a
grounded electrical wall outlet.

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You can optionally connect the instrument directly to a computer.
1. Turn on the power to the computer.
2. Connect one end of an Ethernet cable to the port on the rear of the instrument and then
connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port on the computer. If the
computer to which you intend to directly connect the instrument does not have an
available Ethernet port, you can use an Ethernet (instrument side) to USB (computer
side) adapter. (Adapter not included.)
Assembling Injectors
The SpectraMax Injector System is an optional addition to the base instrument
configuration. If there is no handle on the instrument right hood, your instrument does not
have injectors and the right hood is sealed shut.
The two injectors are located under the instrument right hood. Injector 1 is on the left and
injector 2 is on the right as you face the instrument.
Bottle Holder
The bottle holder is mounted on two knobs.
1. Align the two slots on the bottle holder with the two pegs on the rail.
2. Lightly press the bottle holder into position.

Chapter 1: Setting Up the Instrument
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Injector Tubing
Each injector has an injector tube. The tubing line connects to an injector tip on one end and
a snorkel on the other end. From the tip, the tube passes around the injector pump to the
snorkel. The tubing around the pump is held in position by two rubber bumpers and a
stabilizer lid.
To deliver reagent, the SpectraMax Injector System uses peristaltic pumps. Peristaltic pump
systems use rotors with rollers that compress and relax flexible tubing. Reagent enters the
relaxed tubing and is then pushed through as the rotating roller compresses the tubing.
Alternate relaxing and compressing of the tubing results in a continuous stream of reagent
passing through the tubing.
Note: Over long periods of injector use, the elasticity of the tubing may decline and
the volume delivered per pump turn may become smaller.
The dispense accuracy should be periodically verified by running the gravimetric tubing
calibration procedure. When you replace worn out tubing, you should perform a before and
after calibration to ensure consistent results.
When not in use for long periods of time, open the stabilizer lids on top of the pumps to
relieve compression on the tubing. This helps to retain uniformity of the tubing and ensure
repeatability. Before use, make sure you close the stabilizer lids.
The tips slide into the nozzle. Move the nozzle to the injector arm above the open plate
drawer for wash and prime functions. Move the nozzle to the opening located in the back
left of the injector space within the instrument for injector protocols.
The snorkels are held in the bottles by snorkel clamps.
To install or replace the injector tubing:

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1. Move the injector arm away from the instrument and insert the nozzle into the injector
arm.
Do the following for both injectors.
2. Insert the snorkel into the bottle and then insert the snorkel into the snorkel clamp.
Clamp for injector 1 is on the left and clamp for injector 2 is on the right.
3. Pump 1 is on the left and pump 2 is on the right. Lift the stabilizer lid over the pump,
press the bumper into the bumper slot on the input (right) side of the injector pump ,
gently pull the tubing around the injector pump, and then seat the bumper on the
output (left) side of the injector pump.

Chapter 1: Setting Up the Instrument
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4. Slide the tip into the nozzle, the slots are labeled 1 and 2 for injector 1 and injector 2.
5. Use the black knob to move the nozzle back to the rear of the injector space. Align the
nozzle with the opening and press straight down until you feel it snap into place.
6. Move the injector arm to its original position.

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Getting Started
All software required to run basic non-injector reads is installed in the instrument and is
accessible from the touchscreen. You must use a computer running the SoftMax Pro
Software to operate the instrument for advanced acquisition settings and for protocols that
use the SpectraMax Injector System. Near Field Communication (NFC)tags enable you to
easily save and view the protocols that matter to you.
The power button and NFC sensor are directly below the touchscreen on the front of the
instrument.
CAUTION! You must remove the transport locks before you power on the
instrument. See Removing the Transport Locks on page 9.
To power on the instrument:
1. Press the power button below the touchscreen.
2. Wait until the Welcome page displays and the disappears.
Note: When the instrument has fully initialized, the icon on the left displays a
temperature.

Chapter 1: Setting Up the Instrument
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Defining Date, Time, and Global Read Settings
The Maintenance page enables you to define high-level read settings and the system date
and time.
You need to log in (as any user) to change the date, time, and read settings. These setting are
global and apply to all users of the instrument.
1. On the Welcome page, touch the Public user to display the Home page.
2. From the buttons on the left, touch to display the Maintenance page and touch the
Read Settings tab.
Touch the Export Excel to display to have the instrument export
data through an Ethernet cable to a computer that is on the same company network
or is attached to the instrument. You must insert a USB flash drive into the slot
below the touchscreen or install the QuickSync tool on the computer.
Touch the Check Plate Height to display to have the instrument
check the plate height before reads.
Touch the Auto-Eject Plate to display to have the instrument
open the plate drawer after each read completes.
3. Touch Instrument Settings to display the Instrument Settings tab.
4. Use the Brightness slider to adjust the brightness of the touchscreen.

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5. Use the Volume slider to change the volume of the instrument speakers that play the
how-to videos. How-to videos are on the Support tab.
6. Touch the Date Format drop-down and select a format for date and time display.
7. Touch in the Date/Time field to display a calendar. Use the calendar to change the
system date then touch the clock and use the scroll bars to change the time.
8. Touch Set to save the date/time changes.
Note: When you change the system date and time, the instrument software does
an application re-start.
Getting the Instrument On Your Network
After you connect the Ethernet cable from the instrument to a networked wall outlet and
after you power on the instrument, the instrument should automatically have an IPaddress
assigned.
Tip: You might have to work with your IT department to make sure your network will
accept the addition of the instrument.
The Maintenance page has a System Information tab that enables you to view the
instrument IP address. You do not need to log in as a user for this workflow.
1. From the buttons on the left, touch to display the Maintenance page.
2. Touch System Information to display the System Information tab.

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3. Touch Refresh. The instrument IPaddress can change due to network interruptions or
when you power off the instrument. Refresh updates the display of the Assigned IP
address.
4. The Assigned IP field displays the instrument IP address.
Note: If you plan to use a computer running the SoftMax Pro Software to operate
the instrument, write down the IP address. You may need the IPaddress to
connect the computer to the instrument.
Installing the QuickSync Tool
The QuickSync tool is optional and enables a computer to receive the raw data that the
instrument exports, within the security and firewall restrictions of your network. The
computer must be able to communicate with the instrument over your intranet or you can
directly connect the computer to the instrument. After you synchronize the computer with
the instrument, the instrument exports result data to the computer for further analysis.
Note: When you install the SoftMax Pro Software on a computer, the SoftMax Pro
Software installation process automatically installs the QuickSync tool.
This topic describes how to install just the QuickSync tool on a computer, without installing
the SoftMax Pro Software.
Tip: You can synchronize multiple computers to an instrument and multiple
instruments to a computer.
Part Number Description
Latest Version SoftMax Pro Software with Product Key and QuickSync tool
Required Accessory
To install only the QuickSync tool, do the following on the computer to which you want to
export data.
1. Insert the supplied USB flash drive or CD into your computer.
2. Navigate the file hierarchy to locate the QuickSync<x.x>.exe file.
3. Double-click QuickSync<x.x>.exe to start the QuickSync tool installation wizard.
4. Select the I accept the terms of the license agreement check box and click Next.
5. Wait for the installation to complete and the success message appears.
6. Click Finish.
7. The QuickSync icon appears in your computer taskbar area, with the other programs
running on your computer, at the bottom of the screen. You may have to look in the
Show Hidden Icons area.