TA Instruments DSC Autosampler CE User manual

TA I NSTRUMENTS DSC A UTOSAMPLER CE i
DSC
Autosampler
CE
Operator’s Manual
PN 825616.001 Rev. B (Text and Binder)
PN 825616.002 Rev. B (Text Only)
Issued November 1999
109 Lukens Drive New Castle, DE 19720
Thermal Analysis & Rheology
A S UBSIDIARY OF W ATERS C ORPORATION

TA I NSTRUMENTS DSC A UTOSAMPLER CEii
© 1996, 1999 by TA Instruments, Inc.
109 Lukens Drive
New Castle, DE 19720
Notice
The material contained in this manual is believed
adequate for the intended use of this instrument.
If the instrument or procedures are used for
purposes other than those specified herein,
confirmation of their suitability must be obtained
from TA Instruments. Otherwise, TA Instru-
ments does not guarantee results and assumes
noobligationorliability.Thispublicationisnota
license to operate under, or a recommendation to
infringe upon, any process patents.
TA Instruments Operating Software, Instrument,
Data Analysis, and Utility Software and their
associated manuals are proprietary and copy-
righted by TA Instruments, Inc. Purchasers are
granted a license to use these software programs
on the module and controller with which they
were purchased. These programs may not be
duplicated by the purchaser without the prior
written consent of TA Instruments. Each
licensed program shall remain the exclusive
property of TA Instruments, and no rights or
licenses are granted to the purchaser other than
as specified.

TA I NSTRUMENTS DSC A UTOSAMPLER CE iii
Table of Contents
Notes, Cautions, and Warnings ..................... ix
Help Lines to TA Instruments ....................... x
Safety ............................................................. x
CE Compliance....................................... xi
Autosampler CE Safety Labels ............. xii
Operation Safety ................................... xii
Lifting the Instrument ........................... xiii
Using This Manual.....................................xiv
CHAPTER 1: Introducing the DSC
Autosampler CE....................................... 1-1
Overview .................................................... 1-3
General Features........................................ 1-4
Relationship to the System ......................... 1-7
Description .................................................. 1-9
The Turret Assembly ........................ 1-10
The Gripper Fingers........................... 1-11
The Sample Tray ............................... 1-12
The Keypad ....................................... 1-13
The Display ....................................... 1-20

TA I NSTRUMENTS DSC A UTOSAMPLER CEiv
Table of Contents
(continued)
The GPIB .......................................... 1-20
System and Equipment Requirements....... 1-21
Terminology ............................................. 1-22
Axis Terms ......................................... 1-23
TestingTerminology ........................... 1-25
CHAPTER 2: Preparing
the Autosampler CE ................................ 2-1
Introduction ................................................. 2-3
Preparing for Operation .............................. 2-4
Connecting the
Heat Exchanger Cable ......................... 2-4
Installing the Autosampler CE Lids...... 2-5
Installing the Dust Cover ...................... 2-6
After Preparation ........................................ 2-7
CHAPTER 3: Using the
Autosampler CE in Manual Mode ........ 3-1
Overview .................................................... 3-3
Starting the Autosampler CE ...................... 3-4
Switchingfrom Automatic
to Manual Mode ................................... 3-5

TA I NSTRUMENTS DSC A UTOSAMPLER CE v
Table of Contents
(continued)
Understanding the
Confidence Tests.................................. 3-6
Moving the Turret Assembly ...................... 3-7
The Motion Keys.................................. 3-8
Changing the Motor Speed ................... 3-9
Covering and Uncovering
the DSC Cell ............................................. 3-10
Loading and Unloading Sample Pans........ 3-11
Loading Pans ...................................... 3-11
Unloading Pans................................... 3-13
Stopping the Autosampler CE ................... 3-15
The HALT Key.................................. 3-15
The RESUME Key ............................ 3-16
The RESET SAMPLER Key ............ 3-16
ConditionsWhen Resetting .......... 3-18
CHAPTER 4: Calibrating
the Autosampler CE ................................ 4-1
Overview .................................................... 4-3
PrecalibrationChecklist ........................ 4-8

TA I NSTRUMENTS DSC A UTOSAMPLER CEvi
Table of Contents
(continued)
Performing the Calibration .......................... 4-9
CalibratingCellLidPositions.............. 4-11
Calibrating Cell Pan Positions............. 4-15
CalibratingLid Storage Positions........ 4-21
Calibrating the Sample Tray ............... 4-25
CheckingYourCalibration........................ 4-29
The LOAD/LIDS Test....................... 4-30
The Verify Test.................................. 4-34
The Cycle Pans Test .......................... 4-35
CHAPTER 5: Preparing Samples ........ 5-1
Overview .................................................... 5-3
InstallingtheCrimpingDie.......................... 5-4
Setting Up the Sample Tray........................ 5-9
Autosampler CE Run Capacity........... 5-10
Reuse of Pans..................................... 5-11
Order of Runs ..................................... 5-12
Pan Metal and Type ........................... 5-13

TA I NSTRUMENTS DSC A UTOSAMPLER CE vii
Table of Contents
(continued)
Preparing Sample Pans ............................. 5-14
Preparing Crimped Pans ..................... 5-19
Preparing Hermetic Pans.................... 5-24
CHAPTER 6: Diagnostics..................... 6-1
Using the Confidence Test Ready Light..... 6-3
Testing Autosampler CE Functions ............ 6-6
The Cycle Lids Test ............................. 6-7
The Cycle Pans Test ............................ 6-8
The Sensors Test.................................. 6-9
The Rear Switches Test..................... 6-16
The Keyboard Test ............................ 6-17
The GPIB Test ................................... 6-18
The Display Test ................................ 6-19
The Motion Test ................................. 6-20
The Cycle AB Test .......................... 6-22
Error Messages......................................... 6-24
Other Error Messages ........................ 6-24

TA I NSTRUMENTS DSC A UTOSAMPLER CEviii
Table of Contents
(continued)
Messages on the
Autosampler CE Display............................6-25
Fatal Error Messages...........................6-25
Nonfatal Error Messages.....................6-29
Error Messages on
the Controller Screen.......................... 6-48
Appendix A: Parts Lists &
Ordering Information ............................. A-1
Index ...........................................................I-1

TA I NSTRUMENTS DSC A UTOSAMPLER CE ix
Notes, Cautions,
and Warnings
This manual uses notes, cautions, and warnings
to emphasize important and critical instructions.
Highlights important information about equip-
ment or procedures.
Emphasizes a procedure that may damage
equipment or cause loss of data if not followed
correctly.
Indicates a procedure that may be hazardous
to the operator or the environment if not
followed correctly.
! WARNING
NOTE:
t CAUTION:

TA I NSTRUMENTS DSC A UTOSAMPLER CEx
Help Lines
To TA Instruments
For Technical Assistance......... [phone]
To Order Instruments
andSupplies ............................. [phone]
For Service Inquiries ................ [phone]
Sales ....................................... [phone]

TA I NSTRUMENTS DSC A UTOSAMPLER CE xi
Safety
This equipment has been designed to comply
with the following standards for safety:
 IEC 1010-1/1990 + A1/1992 + A2/1995
 IEC 1010-2-010/1992 + A1/1996
 EN 61010-1/1993
 EN61010-2-010/1994
 UL 3101-1, First Edition.
CE Compliance
In order to comply with the Electromagnetic
Compatibilitystandards of EuropeanCouncil
Directive 89/335/EEC (EMC Directive) and
Directive 73/23/EEC on safety as amended by
93/68/EEC,thefollowingspecificationsapply
to the DSC Autosampler CE:
Safety:
EN 61010-1/1993
EN61010-2-010/1994
Emissions:
EN 55011: 1991, CISPR 11:1990 Group 1
Class B (301000 MHz) Radiated
EN 55011: 1991, CISPR 11:1990 Group 1
Class B (0.1530 MHz) Conducted
Immunity:
EN50082-1: 1992,Electromagnetic
CompatibilityGenericimmunitystandard
Part 1. Residential, commercial, and light
industry.
 IEC 801-2: 1991, 8 kV air discharge.
 IEC 801-3: 1984, 27500 MHz, 3 V/m.
No response above 30 nV DT (6 µW)
and 0.01°C.
 IEC 801-4: 1988, Fast transients com-
mon mode 1 kV AC power.

TA I NSTRUMENTS DSC A UTOSAMPLER CExii
Autosampler CE
Safety Labels
NEVER touch the surface of the metal exterior can
covering the DSC cell when the Autosampler CE is
operating. It can become very hot.
NEVER open the Autosampler CE rear electronics
cabinet. Its contents should be serviced by authorized
service personnel only. No user-serviceable parts are
contained within the electronics enclosure, and
hazardous voltages are present within.
NEVER put your fingers in the Autosampler CEs
path when the turret assembly is moving. The gripper
fingers are made of fine wire and could scratch or
pierce your skin.
Operation Safety
 ALWAYS handle the DSC cell lids and
sample pans with tweezers; they can
become very hot.
 ALWAYS keep your compressed air hoses
securely fastened to the lab bench (e.g., use
clamps or tape). Sudden increases in pres-
sure can cause them to fly off the counter.

TA I NSTRUMENTS DSC A UTOSAMPLER CE xiii
 NEVER leave flammable items (e.g., liquids,
paper) around the Autosampler CE work
area, especially during unattended
runs. If a hot lid or pan were dropped
accidentally, a fire hazard could be created.
 Never open the DSC cell when it is at a
temperature of 200oC or higher; doing so
can cause the cell to oxidize.
 NEVER store hot lids (>100oC) on the
Autosampler CE console cover.
 NEVER try to move the turret assembly by
pushing it with your hand. Doing so could
cause mechanical damage and calibration
errors.
 NEVER slide the Autosampler CE console
to the right while the instrument is in use.
 Review the safety notes in your instrument
Operators Manual.
 Review the safety notes in the LNCA
Operators Manual or RCS addendum,if
thatoption is installed.
Lifting the Instrument
The TGA 2950 CE is a fairly heavy instrument.
In order to avoid injury, particularly to the back,
please follow this advice:
Use two people to lift and/or carry the
instrument. The instrument is too heavy for
one person to handle safely.
! WARNING

TA I NSTRUMENTS DSC A UTOSAMPLER CExiv
Using This Manual
Chapter 1 Introduces you to the
purpose and features of
the DSC Autosampler CE,
lists system requirements,
and explains the terminol-
ogy used in this manual.
Chapter 2 Explains how to prepare
the DSC Autosampler CE
system for operation.
Chapter 3 Describes how to use the
Autosampler CEs manual
keyboard to move the
turret assembly and load
and unload the cell.
Chapter 4 Provides the calibration
procedures necessary for
all new DSC Autosampler
CEs, with guidelines for
periodiccalibration
checks.
Chapter 5 Explains how to install the
crimpingdie,provides
guidelines for setting up
the Autosampler CE tray,
and describes how to
prepare crimped and
hermetic pans for Auto-
sampler CE operation.

TA I NSTRUMENTS DSC A UTOSAMPLER CE xv
Using This Manual
(continued)
Chapter 6 Describes the diagnostic
tests you can run from the
DSC Autosampler CE
keyboard and lists control-
ler and Autosampler CE
error messages.
Appendix Lists the DSC Autosam-
pler CE part numbers and
TA Instruments offices
and phone numbers for
ordering and service.
Index Lists the page numbers of
important topics for your
reference.

TA I NSTRUMENTS DSC A UTOSAMPLER CExvi

1–1TA I NSTRUMENTS DSC A UTOSAMPLER CE
CHAPTER 1: Introducing the DSC
Autosampler CE
Overview .................................................... 1-3
General Features ........................................ 1-4
Relationship to the System ......................... 1-7
Description .................................................. 1-9
The Turret Assembly ........................ 1-10
The Gripper Fingers .......................... 1-11
The Sample Tray ............................... 1-12
The Keypad ....................................... 1-13
The Display ....................................... 1-20
The GPIB .......................................... 1-20
System and Equipment Requirements....... 1-21
Terminology ............................................. 1-22
Axis Terms ......................................... 1-23
Testing Terminology ........................... 1-25

Introducing the DSC Autosampler CE
TA I NSTRUMENTS DSC A UTOSAMPLER CE1–2

1–3TA I NSTRUMENTS DSC A UTOSAMPLER CE
Overview
Your TA Instruments DSC Autosampler CE is a
four-axis robotic device that automatically loads
sample and reference pans to and from the
Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) thermal
analysis instrument. The Autosampler CE will
detect the presence of a single or dual sample
cell and adjust its actions and displays accord-
ingly. Once the Autosampler CE loads the pans
and covers the DSC cell, the controller takes
over and runs a preprogrammed thermal analysis
experiment on your samples. The Autosampler
CE then uncovers the cell and unloads the pans.
You can set up a series of these experiments
and leave them to be executed unattended.
Overview

Introducing the DSC Autosampler CE
TA I NSTRUMENTS DSC A UTOSAMPLER CE1–4
General Features
The following features make the DSC Autosam-
pler CE a unique and flexible tool:
 The Autosampler CE makes decisions on
the basis of current system status, operator-
directed parameters, and computer-directed
instructions.
 The mechanical fingers that grip the sample
pans and cell lids enable the Autosampler
CE to handle objects weighing from
milligrams to tens of grams with more
reliability than vacuum-grip systems. Open
pans can be handled as safely as closed
pans with the Autosampler CEs tactile-
feedback gripper fingers. The tactile-
feedback programming also detects
improperly gripped or dropped objects and
prevents the grippers from puncturing the
floor of the DSC cell furnace.
 The Autosampler CE can be operated
automatically through the TA controller or
manually through its own keypad. Under
manual operation, you can directly control
turret movement to calibrate and test the
Autosampler CE, whereas automatic
operation (using Thermal Solutions/
Advantage) offers the benefits of
preprogrammed runs that can be left to be
executed overnight.
 If the multi-instrument option is installed on
your controller, you are free to run other
instruments (e.g., TGA, DMA, TMA) while
the Autosampler CE takes care of DSC