Thermo Scientific Multiskan FC User manual

Thermo Scientific
Multiskan FC
User Manual
Rev. 2.2, Cat. No. N07710

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Copyright
© 2015 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. All rights reserved. Decon is a trademark of Decon Laboratories Limited.
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SQ is a trademark of Global Biotechnologies, Inc. Virkon is a trademark of Antec International Ltd. All (other)
trademarks are the property of Thermo Fisher Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Reproduction of the accompanying user documentation in whole or in part is prohibited.
Patents
This product is protected by the following patent: US 6111636A, Device for Measuring Optical Density.
Disclaimer
Thermo Fisher Scientific reserves the right to change its products and services at any time to incorporate
technological developments. This manual is subject to change without prior notice as part of continuous product
development. Although this manual has been prepared with every precaution to ensure accuracy, Thermo
Fisher Scientific assumes no liability for any errors or omissions, nor for any damages resulting from the
application or use of this information. This manual supersedes all previous editions.
Remarks on screenshots
Screenshots may be slightly different on your system depending on the firmware version.
No liability for consequential damages
Thermo Fisher Scientific shall not be liable for any indirect or consequential damages whatsoever arising out of
the use or inability to use this product.
Power failure
The system requires uninterrupted power supply in order to operate correctly. Thermo Fisher Scientific has no
responsibility whatsoever for system malfunctions arising from power failures.
Warranty
The Thermo Scientific Microplate Instrumentation products are fully guaranteed against defective parts and materials,
including defects caused by poor workmanship for a period of one year from the date of delivery.
Thermo Fisher Scientific will repair or replace defective parts or materials during the term of warranty at no extra charge for
materials and labor provided that the products were used and maintained in accordance with instructions from Thermo
Fisher Scientific. The warranty is invalid if products have been misused or abused.
For the warranty to be effective, the product must have been purchased either directly from Thermo Fisher Scientific or from
an authorized Thermo Fisher Scientific distributor. The guarantee is not transferable to a third party without prior written
approval from Thermo Fisher Scientific.
This guarantee is subject to the following exclusions:
Any defects caused by normal wear and tear.
Defects caused by fire, lightning, flood, earthquake, explosion, sabotage, war, riot or any other occurrence of the
character listed above.
Refurbished products that are subject to different warranty conditions.
THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. The
seller is not liable for any loss or damage arising out of or in connection with the use of the product or other indirect
damages.
Cat. No. N07710
January 2015

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About This User Manual
Intended users
The Thermo Scientific™Multiskan™FC, as standalone or with Thermo Scientific™SkanIt™
Software, can be used in research and routine-test laboratories by professional personnel.
How to use this user manual
This user manual is for the following instruments, Multiskan FC/Multiskan FC with incubator: Cat. No.
51119000, 51119050, 51119100, and 51119150. It has been designed to give you the information
you need to:
Review safety precautions
Install the Multiskan FC
Navigate and edit in the Multiskan FC user interface
Make a protocol and measure
Perform basic cleaning and maintenance procedures
Troubleshoot the instrument performance
This user manual also describes all the features and specifications of the Multiskan FC instrument as
well as ordering information.
Read the manual in its entirety before operating the instrument.
Keep the user manual for future reference. The user manual is an important part of the instrument
and should be readily available during use of the instrument. Keep the user manual together with the
instrument in case you distribute it onwards.
For more information
For PC software-related issues, refer to the Thermo Scientific™SkanIt™Software for Microplate
Readers User Manual (Cat. No. N16243) or SkanIt Software for Microplate Readers Technical
Manual (Cat. No. N16046).
For the latest information on products and services, visit our websites at:
http://www.thermoscientific.com
http://www.thermoscientific.com/platereaders
http://www.unitylabservices.com
In an effort to produce useful and appropriate documentation, we appreciate your comments on this
user manual to your local Thermo Fisher Scientific representative.
Manufacturer
Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy
Ratastie 2, P.O. Box 100
FI-01621
FINLAND

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Safety symbols and markings
These symbols are intended to draw your attention to particularly important information and alert you
to the presence of hazards as indicated.
Safety symbols and markings used on the Multiskan FC
The following symbols and markings appear on the type label and the instrument itself.
Power ON
Power OFF
The plate carrier may come out, risk of operational failure or damage.
Warning! Hot plate, risk of burns.
Serial number
Catalog number
Date of manufacture
Consult instructions for use
WEEE symbol! This product is required to comply with the European Union’s Waste
Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2012/19/EC.
A black label with the following text (Figure 11):
CAUTION: WARNING: DISCONNECT SUPPLY BEFORE SERVICING and
AVERTISSEMENT: COUPER L'ALIMENTATION AVANT L'ENTRETIEN ET LE
DEPANNAGE.

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Warning and other markings used in the documentation
The following symbols and markings appear in this user manual.
Warning! Risk of electric shock.
Warning! Biohazard risk.
Warning! Hot plate, risk of burns.
Risk of injury to the user(s).
Caution! Risk of damage to the instrument, other equipment or loss of performance
or function in a specific application.
Note! Marks a hint, important information that is useful in the optimum operation of
the system, or an item of interest.

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Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Multiskan FC...................................................................................9
Intended use....................................................................................................................................9
Principle of operation .......................................................................................................................9
Chapter 2: Installation ....................................................................................................................10
Unpacking......................................................................................................................................10
How to unpack ............................................................................................................................10
Checking delivery for completeness or damage..........................................................................11
Environmental requirements........................................................................................................11
Setups............................................................................................................................................11
Releasing the transport lock........................................................................................................11
Installing the filter wheel..............................................................................................................13
Connecting the power supply cable.............................................................................................14
Connecting to a computer...........................................................................................................14
Connecting to a printer................................................................................................................14
Switching on ..................................................................................................................................15
Performing the operational check...................................................................................................15
Settings after installation................................................................................................................15
Installation of SkanIt Software for Microplate Readers...................................................................15
Chapter 3: Multiskan FC Main Parts..............................................................................................16
Front view......................................................................................................................................16
Back view.......................................................................................................................................16
Side view .......................................................................................................................................17
USB memory device port ...............................................................................................................17
Incubator........................................................................................................................................18
Shaker ...........................................................................................................................................18
Internal memory.............................................................................................................................18
Chapter 4: Operating the Internal Software ..................................................................................18
Display and keys for navigating and editing ...................................................................................18
Keys / Action...............................................................................................................................19
Chapter 5: Menus and Parameters ................................................................................................20
Main menu.....................................................................................................................................20
Protocol.......................................................................................................................................22
Plate format parameters..............................................................................................................23
Measurement parameters...........................................................................................................24
Filters.....................................................................................................................................24
Measurement modes..............................................................................................................24
Shaking parameters....................................................................................................................24
Incubation parameters.................................................................................................................25
Processing menu...........................................................................................................................25
Plate layout parameters ..............................................................................................................26
Preprocessing parameters..........................................................................................................27
Precalculations.......................................................................................................................29
Kinetic calculations.................................................................................................................30
Calculation parameters ...............................................................................................................34
Curve fits................................................................................................................................35
Factor.....................................................................................................................................36
Stored curve...........................................................................................................................36
Interpretation parameters............................................................................................................37
Source data............................................................................................................................38
Interpretation and limits..........................................................................................................38
Quality control parameters..........................................................................................................39
Results menu.................................................................................................................................40
Raw data.....................................................................................................................................40
Calculated results........................................................................................................................41
Calibration curve.........................................................................................................................41
Quality control (QC) ....................................................................................................................42

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Results in list format....................................................................................................................42
Settings menu................................................................................................................................43
Chapter 6: Starting Ready-made Protocols ..................................................................................44
Starting a ready-made protocol with the quick keys (F1-F3)...........................................................44
Starting a ready-made protocol from the list...................................................................................45
Chapter 7: Protocol Creation Examples........................................................................................47
Opening a new protocol.................................................................................................................47
Programming a wavelength............................................................................................................47
Programming shaking parameters .................................................................................................47
Programming incubation................................................................................................................48
Programming a plate layout ...........................................................................................................49
Programming calculations and interpretations................................................................................52
Programming precalculations......................................................................................................52
Programming calculations...........................................................................................................53
Programming an interpretation....................................................................................................53
Adding a QC rule to the protocol....................................................................................................55
Saving a new (active) protocol.......................................................................................................56
Chapter 8: Viewing Results............................................................................................................57
Chapter 9: Printing, Exporting or Importing .................................................................................58
Printing or exporting data...............................................................................................................59
Exporting a protocol.......................................................................................................................60
Importing a protocol .......................................................................................................................61
Chapter 10: Shutdown....................................................................................................................62
Chapter 11: Modifying Settings .....................................................................................................62
System settings..............................................................................................................................62
Setting the date...........................................................................................................................62
Changing the language...............................................................................................................62
Filters.............................................................................................................................................63
Introducing a filter to the internal software...................................................................................63
Removing a filter.........................................................................................................................64
Printer............................................................................................................................................64
Startup...........................................................................................................................................64
Chapter 12: Emergency Situations................................................................................................65
Handling emergency situations......................................................................................................65
Chapter 13: Maintenance................................................................................................................65
Regular and preventative maintenance..........................................................................................65
Maintenance checklist.................................................................................................................65
General.......................................................................................................................................66
Immediate...................................................................................................................................67
Cleaning a filter..............................................................................................................................67
Cleaning of the instrument .............................................................................................................67
Disposal of materials......................................................................................................................67
Decontamination procedure...........................................................................................................68
Adding individual filters to the filter wheel.......................................................................................69
Changing the lamp.........................................................................................................................72
Refitting the transport lock..............................................................................................................74
Maintaining a system log................................................................................................................75
How to pack for service..................................................................................................................76
Disposal of the instrument..............................................................................................................76
Chapter 14: Technical Specifications............................................................................................77
General specifications....................................................................................................................77
Performance specifications............................................................................................................78
Safety specifications ......................................................................................................................79
In conformity with the requirements.............................................................................................79
Chapter 15: Troubleshooting Guide..............................................................................................79
Error and warning codes................................................................................................................79
USB memory device ......................................................................................................................81
Warnings and cautions...................................................................................................................82

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Electrical .....................................................................................................................................82
Defects and abnormal stresses...................................................................................................82
Chapter 16: Ordering Information..................................................................................................83
List of filters....................................................................................................................................83
List of spare parts and accessories................................................................................................83
List of Thermo Scientific plates ......................................................................................................84
Verification tools.............................................................................................................................84
Appendix A: System Log................................................................................................................85
Appendix B: Certificate of Decontamination ................................................................................86

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Chapter 1: Introduction to the Multiskan FC
The Multiskan FC (Figure 1) is a high-quality filter-based microplate photometer. It is used to measure
absorbance from appropriate 96 or 384-well plate formats in the wavelength range of 340 to 850 nm.
The instrument allows shaking. The instrument is controlled through the built-in graphical user
interface and keypad. Multiskan FC can be connected to the SkanIt Software.
The Multiskan FC is available in the following configurations:
Multiskan FC
96-well plate reading with internal shaking
Multiskan FC with incubator
96 and 384-well plate reading with shaking and incubation
Figure 1. Multiskan FC microplate photometer
Intended use
The Multiskan FC is a microplate photometer for measuring absorbance from suitable microplates
and strips in 96-well plate formats and optionally microplates in 384-well plate formats that meet the
ANSI/SBS standards.
The Multiskan FC, as standalone instrument or with SkanIt Software, can be used in research or
routine-test laboratories by professional personnel.
The Multiskan FC is part of the analyzing system used by the end user, who therefore is responsible
for validation of the whole system for reliable and safe results.
If the assay performance is essential for the analysis, the test result has to be ensured with internal
quality controls or with an alternative test.
It is recommended to use Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) during the analyzing process.
Principle of operation
The Multiskan FC is a filter-based microplate photometer. Measurement is vertical. The instrument
reads from bottom to top.
The optical system is based on one-channel optics with a tungsten halogen lamp as the light source
(Figure 2). Wavelength selection is made by means of interference filters.

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Figure 2. Optical system
The selected wavelength is directed at a moving measurement head by an optic fiber. The
measurement head moves to select the well column and the track to select the row.
During measurement, the light from the lamp passes through an interference filter to an optic fiber.
The filter selects from the lamp spectrum the exact wavelength desired. The optic fiber directs the
light below the selected well of the plate. After passing through the well, the light is sensed by a
photodetector in the measurement head above the well.
Blank (air) and dark level measurements are needed to calculate the absorbances. The Multiskan FC
performs these measurements once at each measured row. The blank is measured from an opening
at the left end of the plate tray and the dark signal when the plate tray edge opposite the blank hole
blocks the light path.
Chapter 2: Installation
The Multiskan FC weighs 8.5 kg [18.7 lbs.] and care must be taken when lifting it.
Unpacking
How to unpack
Move the packed instrument to its site of operation. To prevent condensation, the instrument should
be left in its protective plastic wrapping until the ambient temperature has been reached. Unpack the
Multiskan FC instrument and accessories carefully with the arrows on the transport package pointing
upwards. Place the instrument onto a laboratory bench.
Caution! Do not touch or loosen any screws or parts other than those specifically designated in
the instructions. Doing so may cause misalignment and will void the instrument warranty.
Retain the original packaging for future transportation. The packaging is designed to assure safe
transport and minimize transit damage. Use of alternative packaging materials may invalidate the
warranty. Also retain all instrument-related documentation provided by the manufacturer for future
use.
If you relocate your instrument or ship it for service, refer to “How to pack for service”.
Detector and preamplifier
Background reading point
Light source
Filter
Opening for blank
reading

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Checking delivery for completeness or damage
Check the enclosed packing list against order. Visually inspect the transport package, the instrument,
and the accessories for any possible transport damage. If any parts are missing or damaged, contact
your local Thermo Fisher Scientific representative or Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy.
Caution! If the instrument has been mechanically damaged, ship it for service.
Environmental requirements
When you set up your Multiskan FC, avoid sites of operation with excess dust, vibrations, strong
magnetic fields, direct sunlight, draft, excessive moisture, or large temperature fluctuations. Make
sure:
the working area is flat, dry, clean, and vibration-proof, and leave additional room for cables,
covers, and so on
there is sufficiently room behind the instrument to enable disconnecting the device
there is enough clearance in front of the instrument for the plate carrier to come out freely
the ambient air is clean and free of corrosive vapors, smoke, and dust
the ambient temperature range is between +10°C (50°F) and +40°C (104°F)
the humidity is low so that condensing does not occur (relative humidity is between 10% and
80%, non-condensing).
Caution! Do not operate the instrument in an environment where potentially damaging liquids
or gases are present.
Setups
Releasing the transport lock
Caution! Make sure the transport lock has been released before you put the instrument into
operation.
1. Open the lamp and filter wheel chamber cover (Figure 3).
Figure 3. Transport lock (inside the instrument) and transport lock tag
2. Unfasten the transport lock bar counterclockwise using the Allen key supplied (Figure 4).

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Figure 4. Unfastening the transport lock
3. Pull the transport lock bar out (Figure 5).
Figure 5. Pulling the transport lock out
4. Keep the transport lock bar and tag (Figure 6) for future relocation or transportation of the
instrument.

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Figure 6. Transport lock bar and tag removed
Installing the filter wheel
1. Unpack the filter wheel (Figure 7). It is delivered in a filter wheel box. Check that all filters are
clean and undamaged.
Figure 7. Multiskan FC filter wheel
Caution! Do not touch the filters with your bare hands.
Caution! When installing the filter wheel, do not touch any other mechanical or electronic part.
2. Place the filter wheel into the filter slot so that the filter wheel numbers (1-8) face outwards (Figure
8). A magnet locking mechanism will automatically lock the wheel in the correct position and the
optical filter position sensor will make sure the correct filter is used during measurement.
Position slot

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Figure 8. Placing the Multiskan FC filter wheel into the filter slot
If the filter wheel seems to be "jumping" in the filter wheel slot, you have inserted the wheel
incorrectly and the magnet is rejecting it. Turn the wheel over.
3. Close the lamp and filter wheel chamber cover.
Connecting the power supply cable
Warning! Do not operate your instrument from a power outlet that has no ground connection.
Do not use a power supply cable other than the Thermo Scientific power supply cable designed
for your region.
1. Ensure that the ON/OFF switch (Figure 9) at the back of the instrument is in the OFF (O) position.
2. Connect the power supply cable to the power supply connector and plug in the instrument.
3. Connect the power supply to a correctly installed line power outlet with a grounded conductor
(Figure 9).
Figure 9.Connecting the power supply cable
Connecting to a computer
If you are using a computer with the Multiskan FC, connect the communication cable to the USB port
for the computer (Figure 9).
Connecting to a printer
If you are using a printer, connect it to the USB port for the printer (Figure 9). The external USB
printer protocol that can be used is HP PCL5, PCL5e or PCL5c.
USB port for PC
USB port for memory
device
Power supply connector
USB port for printer

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Switching on
Check that all the cables are properly fitted according to the installation instructions. Switch the
instrument ON.
Caution! 1) Do not switch the power off during “Performing self diagnostics”. 2) Do not
plug/unplug the printer cable during Importing/Exporting data from/to the USB memory device.
3) Do not plug/unplug the USB memory device during “Printing” or “Performing self diagnostics”.
Performing the operational check
Before you take the instrument into use, make time to perform the following operational check:
1. Switch the instrument ON.
2. Check that the plate carrier comes out from the instrument and the “Self diagnostics
passed” text is shown for a while on the display.
3. Press the START button twice.
4. Check that the plate carrier moves in and the measurement chamber door closes
properly.
The instrument starts the measurement. After the measurement the plate carrier comes
out. No error messages should appear on the display.
5. Press the F2 key to close the result table.
6. Press the Left arrow key twice to return to the Main menu.
Settings after installation
If you want to change the language or add additional filters to the filter wheel, modify the required
settings in the Settings menu. Refer to the instructions in “Settings menu”.
Installation of SkanIt Software for Microplate Readers
For installing SkanIt Software for Multiskan FC, refer to the SkanIt Software for Microplate Readers
User Manual (Cat. No. N16243).
Caution! Operate the instrument only with software and hardware that is specifically designed
or selected for it. Thermo Fisher Scientific assumes no liability when third-party software
applications are used.
The instrument has one computer interface: USB.
When the instrument is connected to SkanIt Software, the “Remote mode active” text is shown on the
display.

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The STOP button on the keypad can be used to terminate the computer remote control.
Chapter 3: Multiskan FC Main Parts
Front view
The front view of the Multiskan FC instrument is shown in Figure 10.
Figure 10.Multiskan FC front view
Back view
The back view of the Multiskan FC instrument is shown in Figure 11.
Lamp and filter wheel
chamber cover
Measurement chamber door
Keypad
Display

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Figure 11.Multiskan FC back view
Side view
The side view of the Multiskan FC instrument is shown in Figure 12.
Figure 12.Multiskan FC side view
USB memory device port
The instrument is equipped with a USB port for an external memory device (Figure 11). You can
transfer measurement data to the PC and assay protocols from an instrument to another with the
USB memory device.
Cooling outlet
USB port
for memory device
Type label
ON/OFF switch
Power supply connector
Warning marking
USB port for PC
USB port for printer
Lamp and filter wheel
chamber cover open
Plate carrier OUT

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Note! It is recommended to format the USB memory device if export or import fails. For more
information, refer to Chapter 15: “Troubleshooting Guide”.
Incubator
The optional incubator is only available with the Multiskan FC with incubator model. The incubator
chamber consists of thermal elements on the top and bottom of the incubator chamber. The upper
electrical thermal element prevents condensation on the microplate that is being incubated.
The incubation temperature ranges from 25 to 50°C (max.) in increments of 1C.
When the background incubation (Settings > Startup > Temperature) temperature is set, the
incubation temperature is activated once the instrument is switched on. The temperature is then kept
constant all the time.
During measurement the background temperature is used if the protocol incubation temperature
(Main > Incubation) is not in use (“No”).
When the protocol temperature is set, it is used as the incubation temperature during measurement.
After measurement, the background temperature is taken into use again.
Background incubation is also possible during kinetic measurements.
Warning! The incubator thermal plates inside the instrument may be hot.
Shaker
The linear shaker operates at three different speeds (Table 1).
Table 1. Shaking speeds
Speed name
Speed
Slow
5 Hz, amplitude 15 mm
Medium
11 Hz, amplitude 3 mm
Fast
20 Hz, amplitude 1 mm
Background shaking is also possible during kinetic measurements.
Internal memory
There is memory for 99 assay protocols and at least assay results for 100 microplates.
Chapter 4: Operating the Internal Software
Display and keys for navigating and editing
The keypad and display are shown in Figure 13.

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Figure 13.Keypad and display of the Multiskan FC
Keys / Action
The relevant keys for navigating and editing are described in detail below. The keys also have other
functions depending on the level in the internal software.
The active row is colored blue.
Use the Left, Right, Up and Down arrow keys to navigate. You can
speed up the selection by holding down the arrow key continuously.
Press the OK button to select and edit the highlighted item.
Use the character keys to enter numerical data and text.
( ) and µ are found under the 1/ key.
The CLEAR (C) key is used to delete written text or numbers.
Use the F1-F3 keys to select the corresponding action from the info
text bar (Figure 14). The information on the info text bar is updated
according to the active menu.
Function keys
Number keys with letters
Active row blue
Info text bar
Display
Arrow keys and OK key
START, STOP and PLATE in/out keys
Menu

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Info text bar
Protocol 1
Protocol 2
Protocol 3
Function button
Figure 14. Info text bar of the Multiskan FC user interface
Press the FILE key, for example, for saving the protocol in the Main
menu. Depending on the level of the internal software, the FILE key
opens a list of actions possible for the current protocol: New, Open,
Save, Save As, Export, Export All Protocols, Export As Text,
Import, Print, Print Protocol, Print Results, and Delete.
Use the HELP key for more detailed instructions.
Press the PLATE in/out button to move the plate carrier in or out.
Press the START button to start reading using the currently
selected protocol.
Press the STOP button to terminate the reading process. Data from
the plate in progress is lost. It can also be used to terminate the
possible computer remote control.
Chapter 5: Menus and Parameters
This section describes the menus and the relevant main parameters of the internal software for
creating and editing protocols.
The internal software includes the Main, Processing, Results, and Settings menus.
The menu tree is displayed in Table 2.
Table 2. Menu tree
Main
Processing
Results
Settings
Protocol
Plate layout
Raw data
System
Plate format
Preprocessing
Calculated results
Filters
Measurement
Calculation
Calibration curve
Printer
Shaking
Interpretation
Quality control
Startup
Incubation
Quality control
Results in list format
Main menu
You can specify the instrument-related parameters in the Main menu.
The Main menu contains the Protocol, Plate format, Measurement, Shaking, and Incubation
parameters.