Molecular Devices StakMax User manual

StakMax® Plate Handling System
User Guide
0112-0133 Rev B
May 2010

This document is provided to customers who have purchased Molecular Devices, Inc.
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Additional patents are pending.
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manufacturers' products as supplied by Molecular Devices for incorporation into its equipment
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Molecular Devices makes no warranties or representations as to the fitness of this equipment for
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consequential damages, for any use to which the purchaser may put the equipment described
herein, or for any adverse circumstances arising therefrom.
For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
Equipment built by Molecular Devices, Inc.
1311 Orleans Drive, Sunnyvale, California, United States of America 94089.
Molecular Devices, Inc. is ISO 9001 registered.
© 2010 Molecular Devices, Inc.
All rights reserved.
The trademarks mentioned herein are the property of Molecular Devices, Inc. or their respective
owners.

0112-0133 Rev B 3
Contents
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safety Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Emergency Interrupt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
About this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Additional Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
SoftMax® Pro User Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Chapter 1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Chapter 2 Installation and Setup of StakMax® system . . . . . . . . . 15
Unpacking the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Installing the StakMax® Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Connecting the Baseplate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Connecting the Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Installing the StakMax® Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Starting the Software Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Performing a Functional Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Required Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Opening the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Closing the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Starting a Read Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Stopping the StakMax® Instrument in an Emergency. . . . . . . . . . .40
Setting Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Save Data After Read (AutoSave). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Naming Conventions for AutoSave Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
AutoSave File Formats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Installing or Replacing a Barcode Reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Required Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Chapter 3 Installation and Setup of SpectraMax® L instrument . . 49

Contents
4 0112-0133 Rev B
Unpacking the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Installing the StakMax® Instrument. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Connecting the Baseplate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Connecting the Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Installing the StakMax® Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Starting the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
Performing a Functional Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Opening the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Closing the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Starting a Read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Stopping the StakMax® Instrument in an Emergency. . . . . . . . . . .72
Setting Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
Save Data After Read (AutoSave) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
Naming Conventions for AutoSave Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
AutoSave File Formats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Chapter 4 Installation and Setup of the AquaMax® Microplate
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Unpacking the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Unpacking the StakMax® Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
Installing the StakMax® Instrument. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
Chapter 5 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Starting the StakMax® System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Turning the StakMax® Instrument On and Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Opening the StakMax® Software Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Loading the StakMax® Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Continual Feed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
Magazine Loading and Unloading Tool. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
Single Plate Loading Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
The StakMax® Software Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Start Read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Stop Read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Emergency Stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Load Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Return Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110

StakMax® Plate Handling System User Guide
0112-0133 Rev B 5
Restack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Demo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111
Scripting (optional). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111
Reset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Stacker Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Barcoding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Allow Edit Prompting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Append Date/Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Status Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Chapter 6 Scripting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Script Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Command Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120
StakMax® Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120
SoftMax® Pro Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120
Advanced Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
Misc Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
Creating a New Script from a Template . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
Adding Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
Removing Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128
Changing the Order of Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131
Checking the Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
Saving Scripts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
Printing Scripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135
Using Repeats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135
Chapter 7 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
System Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
Weekly Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
As-Needed Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
Chapter 8 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Appendix A System Diagrams and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Performance Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141

Contents
6 0112-0133 Rev B
General Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142

0112-0133 Rev B 7
Safety
This chapter provides important safety information for the use of the
StakMax®instrument. All users should read and understand the safety
guidelines before operating the StakMax instrument. The following
information is described in this chapter:
•Safety Guidelines on page 7
•Labeling on page 7
•Emergency Interrupt on page 9
Safety Guidelines
Read and understand all of the safety guidelines before using the StakMax
instrument.
Labeling
The following warning labels are attached to the StakMax instrument. Do not
remove these labels.

Safety
8 0112-0133 Rev B
Table S-1 StakMax®instrument labels
Instrument Label Nameplate
Instrument nameplate
StakMax®Identification, voltage,
and serial number (back of
instrument)
StakMax input and output stack
labels
Laser-based barcode reader safety
label (internal)
Power I/O label (right side of
instrument)
CE mark for European and TUV
Rheinland
1311 Orleans Drive, Sunnyvale
CA 94089 408 747-1700
+24V
3A
INPUT
STACK
OUTPUT
STACK
+ 24 VDC RS-232
USB

StakMax® Plate Handling System User Guide
0112-0133 Rev B 9
Emergency Interrupt
The StakMax instrument Power/Reset button is located on the left side of
the front panel. The Power/Reset button operates as a Power On button
and it functions as a Reset button that can be used in case of emergency
(for example, the instrument is about to crash). When pressed while the
instrument is in use, it functions as an Emergency Interrupt button to
immediately stop any StakMax movement and to reset the entire system.

Safety
10 0112-0133 Rev B

0112-0133 Rev B 11
Preface
About this Manual
The StakMax®Plate Handling System User Guide provides instructions for
the proper setup, installation and use of the StakMax microplate handler
and software.
The StakMax instrument is a plate handling system that can be attached
to several different types of instruments. This manual includes the
information and procedures required to integrate each of the following
instruments with a StakMax system:
•SpectraMax®microplate readers (including M2, M2e, M3, M4, M5,
M5e, 340PC384, 190, Plus384, Gemini XPS, and Gemini EM readers)
•SpectraMax L microplate reader
•VersaMaxTM microplate reader
•AquaMax®4000 and AquaMax 2000 microplate washers
This manual contains the following sections:
Introduction on page 13
Installation and Setup of StakMax® system on page 15
Installation and Setup of SpectraMax® L instrument on
page 49
Installation and Setup of the AquaMax® Microplate Washer on
page 81
Operation on page 89
Scripting on page 117
Maintenance on page 137
Troubleshooting on page 139
Before you use the instrument for the first time, we recommend that you
read the entire manual to familiarize yourself with the basic operating
procedures. Make sure that you read the relevant content, particularly in
the Installation and Setup chapter, that applies to the specific instrument
you are using with the StakMax system.
This manual is intended for laboratory personnel who have been trained
in basic laboratory safety practices. Using the instrument without proper
training can result in damage to the instrument or sub-optimal results.

Preface
12 0112-0133 Rev B
Conventions
Within the scope of this manual, the following typographical conventions
are used.
CAUTION! Indicates an operation that can cause damage to the instrument,
device, or data, if the precautions are not followed.
Additional Resources
The StakMax software is integrated into the SoftMax®Pro 5.1 (or later)
software application. Some functions overlap between the SoftMax Pro
and StakMax software applications; in these cases, this manual refers to
the SoftMax®Pro User Guide.
SoftMax®Pro User Guide
If you do not have the SoftMax®Pro User Guide, contact your Molecular
Devices sales representative.
Training
Molecular Devices offers training on the StakMax system. Contact your
Molecular Devices sales representative for further details.
Note: Provides background information or further explanation of instructions,
or shortcuts or alternative steps to perform the procedure.
WARNING! Indicates an operation that can cause personal injury if
precautions are not followed.

0112-0133 Rev B 13
1
Introduction
When integrated with a SpectraMax®microplate reader, the StakMax®
software runs with the SoftMax®Pro software that controls the
SpectraMax microplate reader. This manual focuses on the StakMax
software application only and refers to the SoftMax®Pro User Guide for
specific details on overlapping functions.
The SoftMax®Pro software provides extensive data calculation and
analysis capabilities for customers using Molecular Devices single and
multi-mode readers in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, and
government research laboratories. A GxP edition of this software exists
for labs needing GLP/ GMP compliance with FDA 21 CFR part 11.
StakMax software is available for Windows compatible computers using
Windows 2000, XP, and Vista.
When integrated with an AquaMax®microplate washer, the StakMax plate
handling system is controlled directly by the on-board AquaMax software.

Introduction
14 0112-0133 Rev B

0112-0133 Rev B 15
2
Installation and Setup of StakMax®system
This chapter describes how to install and set up the StakMax®system for
the following microplate readers:
•VersaMaxTM microplate reader
•SpectraMax®340PC384 microplate reader
•SpectraMax 190 microplate reader
•SpectraMax Plus384 microplate reader
•SpectraMax Gemini XPS microplate reader
•SpectraMax Gemini EM microplate reader
•SpectraMax M2 microplate reader
•SpectraMax M2e microplate reader
•SpectraMax M3 microplate reader
•SpectraMax M4 microplate reader
•SpectraMax M5 microplate reader
•SpectraMax M5e microplate reader
For information and procedures on how to install and set up the StakMax
system for the SpectraMax L instrument, see Installation and Setup of
SpectraMax® L instrument on page 49.
For information and procedures on how to install and set up the StakMax
system for the AquaMax®4000 and 2000 instruments, see Installation and
Setup of the AquaMax® Microplate Washer on page 81.
This section contains the following topics:
•Unpacking the System on page 16.
•Installing the StakMax® Instrument on page 18.
•Performing a Functional Check on page 38.
•Getting Started on page 38.
•Setting Preferences on page 40.
•Installing or Replacing a Barcode Reader on page 46.

Installation and Setup of StakMax® system
16 0112-0133 Rev B
Unpacking the System
The StakMax instrument is packed in a specially-designed carton. It
consists of an inner box, which contains the StakMax instrument and all of
the included parts, and an outer box for protection. The inner box is
suspended under compression between a pair of trampoline-like lids (top
and bottom) to protect the StakMax system from damage.
Retain the original carton and the packing materials. If the unit needs to
be returned for any reason, including repairs, it must be sent in the
original carton with the original packing materials.
To unpack the StakMax®instrument
1. After examining the carton, place it on the floor in an upright
position.
2. Open the top of the box and remove the top lid.
3. Remove the inner instrument box from the shipping box and place
it on the lab bench.
4. Open the top of the box. Carefully remove the 20-plate magazines
(if ordered) and remove them from the packaging. If other
magazine sizes were ordered, they are shipped in a second box.
5. Remove the accessory kit and check to make sure that all of the
components are present. For a complete list of the included
components, see Components on page 18.
6. Carefully remove the StakMax instrument from the box and place
it on a flat surface.
7. Gently pull up the foam block at a slight angle and remove it from
the input stack. See Figure 2-1.
Note: Before you unpack the system, examine the external packaging for any
signs of damage. If the shipping carton has been damaged in transit, it is
particularly important that you retain the carton for inspection by the carrier, in
case there has also been damage to the instrument.
WARNING! The StakMax instrument weighs approximately 26 pounds
(11.8 kg) and should be lifted with care. Take proper precautions to avoid
injury.

StakMax® Plate Handling System User Guide
0112-0133 Rev B 17
Figure 2-1 Removing the foam from the input stack.
8. Gently pull the foam block down and to the left and remove it
from the stacker arm. See Figure 2-2.
Figure 2-2 Removing the foam from the stacker arm.

Installation and Setup of StakMax® system
18 0112-0133 Rev B
Components
The StakMax instrument package contains the following components.
Accessory kit
•StakMax®Plate Handling System User Guide
•USB cable
•Single Plate Adapter
•Instrument-specific baseplate
•100-240–volt power supply
•Region-specific power cable for power supply
•Alignment tools (clear and black)
•Long Phillips screwdriver
•1 package of 5 microplates
Instrument box
•StakMax instrument
•Barcode reader(s) (installed on instrument as configured)
•20-plate magazines (if purchased)
Installing the StakMax®Instrument
Before installing the StakMax instrument, make sure the foam blocks have
been removed from the input stack and the arm.
Note: 40-plate and 50-plate magazines are shipped in a separate box.
WARNING! Make sure the power cord is not connected to the instrument
prior to installation or relocation of the instrument.
WARNING! Do not touch or loosen any screws or parts other than those
specifically designated in the instructions because this can cause
misalignment and this can void the instrument warranty.

StakMax® Plate Handling System User Guide
0112-0133 Rev B 19
To install the StakMax®instrument
1. Unpack the StakMax system and make sure that all of the
components listed in Components on page 18 are present.
2. Place the instrument on a hard, level surface. Make sure that the
power supply and USB port are accessible.
3. Install the SoftMax®Pro software.
4. Attach the StakMax instrument to the reader by following the
instructions in Connecting the Baseplate on page 19.
5. Attach the power and USB cables by following the instructions in
Connecting the Cables on page 22.
6. If this is the first time connecting your StakMax, you must install
the USB driver. See Installing the StakMax® Driver on page 26.
7. Start the StakMax software and perform the software calibration.
See Starting the Software Calibration on page 34.
Connecting the Baseplate
You must connect the StakMax instrument to the microplate reader with
the provided baseplate and mounting hardware. See Figure 2-4.
Required equipment
•Alignment tools
•Baseplate
•Long Phillips screwdriver
•2 Phillips-head screws

Installation and Setup of StakMax® system
20 0112-0133 Rev B
Figure 2-3 Required components for baseplate installation.
To connect the baseplate
1. Place the StakMax instrument and the microplate reader on a
hard, level surface (for example, a lab bench).
2. Place the baseplate on the left side of the StakMax instrument.
See Figure 2-4 for the correct position.
Figure 2-4 Aligning the baseplate.
3. Slide the baseplate under the protruding angle bracket that is
attached to the instrument.