V&P Scientific SpinVessel VP 418SV2-1-300FB-CC User manual

V&P Scientific, Inc. 1 Technical Note 396C
Technical Note 396C
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR
SpinVessel®VP 418SV2-1-300FB-CC
U.S. Patent No. 11,623,188
Foreign Patents Pending
SpinVessel® System with Computer Control feature for 300ml SpinVessel® Tube:
VP 418SV2-1-300FB-CC includes Motor Unit, Spin Base, Controller, Power Supply (not shown),
Registration Disc (not shown), USB cable and USB drive with control software (not shown). Shown
with SpinVessel® Tube, VP 830SV-300FB, sold separately.

V&P Scientific, Inc. 2 Technical Note 396C
SET-UP
CONNECTING PARTS OF THE SpinVessel® SYSTEM
Power and Controller Connections
Power Switch
Power Cable
Receptacle
USB
Cable Receptacle
Controller
Cable
Receptacle
Controller
Cable
Controller
Motor Unit
Power
Supply
Power
Cable
Power Cord
USB
Cable
Spin
Base
Parts of the System:
Controller:
USB
Drive

V&P Scientific, Inc. 3 Technical Note 396C
1. Place Motor Unit on a sturdy lab bench, table or robotic workstation. Note that Z height with
tube is 156mm (rubber feet not included).
2. Since Controller Cable is 6 feet long, Controller and computer can be placed at a distance from
the Motor Unit.
3. Connect Power Cord from Power Supply to an outlet.
4. Connect Power Cable from Power Supply to Controller.
Warning: Do not plug Controller in while power is on. Ensure that the Power Switch is in the off
position (“0” is down). Always have Controller plugged in before powering up.
5. Connect Controller Cable from the Motor Unit to the Controller.
6. Connect the USB Cable from the Controller to the computer.
7. Place one VP 830SV-650CFB SpinVessel® tube into the Spin Cup. Ensure that the SpinVessel®
tube is seated securely within the Spin Base.
Controller
Cable
Controller
Motor
Unit
Power
Supply
Power
Cable
Power Cord
USB
Cable
Parts Connected:
Connect
to
Computer

V&P Scientific, Inc. 4 Technical Note 396C
ALIGNING PIPET TIPS TO THE SpinVessel® TUBE
Insert the SpinVessel® tube VP 830SV-300FB into
the SpinVessel® drive base.
Ensure that the SpinVessel® tabs are seated flat and
registered to the slots in the aluminum spin base.
SpinVessel® tube should not rotate within drive
base.
Place SpinVessel® motor unit in
desired location, either on an
automated liquid handler or on a
benchtop.
The motor unit is SBS/SLAS format
(127.7mm x 85.5mm) which will fit into
any SBS/SLAS plate locator or carrier.
To align pipet tips to inside of
SpinVessel® tube, use the registration
disc VP 418SV-300FB. Place disc on top
of the drive base, not the tube. Lower
the tips until they just touch the disc.
Align tips to the holes.
Z height needs to be adjusted with tube
in place.

V&P Scientific, Inc. 5 Technical Note 396C
OPERATION
POWERING UP THE SpinVessel® SYSTEM
The Power Switch (I/O) is located on the back of the Controller. To power up the Controller, depress the “I”
of the switch.
OPERATING THE SpinVessel® With COMPUTER CONTROL
The SpinVessel® Models with “-CC” in the part number are controlled using a computer. The Controller
for the computer controllable SpinVessel® is connected by a USB communication cable to a computer.
The Controller accepts simple ASCII commands to set the speed of the rotations, the number of rotations
(including fractions of a rotation), duration of pause before reversing direction and degree of ramping to
speed set.
Software details
1. The SpinVessel® Controller uses an internal CH340G USB to Serial Converter (set to 9600,8,N,1)
which will require driver software. Windows may already have the needed USB driver software
installed. If not, download the “CH340 USB DRIVER” from the provided USB flash drive and run
“CH341SER.exe” to install it (Windows typically auto-installs once downloaded). If your company
policy does not allow the use of the provided USB stick, this driver is also available for download
from the internet (contact your IT department for assistance if necessary).
2. The basic command language for this computer-to-stirrer communication is ASCII.
3. Commands can be sent from the computer using a standard terminal program like HyperTerminal
or Realterm. Or, if needed, download the V&P Scientific Serial Terminal program from the
With the SpinVessel®
tube in the drive base,
check the tip alignment
relative to the projections.
Without liquid in the tube,
turn on the SpinVessel® to
make sure the tips are not
hitting the projections.

V&P Scientific, Inc. 6 Technical Note 396C
provided USB flash drive. If your company policy does not allow the use of the provided USB
stick, we suggest asking your IT department for a recommendation.
4. Alternatively, the ASCII commands can be sent by an automated liquid handler’s software to
control the SpinVessel®. Since there are many different automated liquid handlers available,
please contact a technical representative from the company that makes the liquid handler.
Connecting and sending commands
1. Set up the system as described in the Set-Up section of the SpinVessel® Technote with the USB
cable connected to the computer to be used.
2. Open the Serial Terminal program (V&P Scientific version or other).
3. Turn on the SpinVessel® instrument as described.
4. Select the appropriate COM port and click CONNECT to establish a line of communication
between the instrument and the computer.
5. Create ASCII command strings as outlined in the diagram shown below to control the instrument
with the following parameters:
a. Speed of rotation in revolutions per minute (RPM).
b. Number of rotations before reversing direction.
c. Fraction of a rotation (input 0-9 for fractions of a rotation).
d. Pause, in milliseconds, before reversing direction.
e. Ramping, 0-100, where 0 is no ramping (rapid acceleration) and 100 is full ramping (slow
acceleration)
6. Hit ENTER to send command and start rotation of the SpinVessel® instrument.
7. To stop, type <0> and hit ENTER.
RPM
Fraction of
Rotation
<150,2,1,200,10>
Pause
ASCII Command String API For SpinVessel®
Number of
Rotations
Ramping

V&P Scientific, Inc. 7 Technical Note 396C
USING A 300 ML SpinVessel®SYSTEM
The optimal stirring mode is dependent upon the application and needs to be empirically
determined. Factors to consider in determining optimal 300 mL SpinVessel® operation are the density
of the particulates, their size and shape, as well as the volume and viscosity of the liquid. Start with 50
RPM and 2.1 rotations before reversing direction, then work up to the appropriate RPMs and number of
rotations for the particulate’s density, fragility, and solution viscosity. We have found that smaller
circumference SpinVessels® require higher RPMs than larger circumference SpinVessels do, because the
critical factor is the linear speed generated at the circumference not the RPMs. See page 501 of our SLAS
Technology paper for a discussion of this phenomenon.
The following are settings to use with an aqueous solution when first testing the VP 418SV-300FB-CC
SpinVessel®:
Speed: 50 RPM Rotate: 2.1 Pause: 200 milliseconds Ramp: 10
It is always a good idea to practice with water in your SpinVessel to determine safe RPM, Rotation, Pause
and Ramp numbers before you use expensive reagents.
Note that, if Ramp is set to 0, liquid will splash out of the Spin Vessel.
The VP 418SV-1-300FB-CC SpinVessel® is designed to be used only with a VP 830SV-300FB SpinVessels®
tube. Please contact V&P Scientific for pricing.
See below for an example of low versus high RPM for a solution of yeast cells in a large circumference 6
liter SpinVessel®. Note: That when given a longer mixing time even the slower speed (20 RPM i.e., –more
gentle mixing) was still able to suspend the yeast cells.
0.00
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
1.00
1.20
25914 18 24 28 33 37 40 44 60 90 120 230 480 720
Absorbance
Time (Seconds)
Yeast Resuspension with 6L SpinVessel®
20 RPM vs 100 RPM
20 RPM, 4 rotations, 500 pause 100 RPM, 4 rotations, 500 pause

V&P Scientific, Inc. 8 Technical Note 396C
PRODUCT MAINTENANCE
GENERAL PRODUCT CARE
When not in use, turn the power switch off.
Do not place the control unit in chambers with temperatures above 40oC.
To clean the stirrer, wipe down with a cloth and mild detergent followed by a water wipe. Do not immerse
SpinVessel® Motor or Control in liquid.
The motor of the VP 418SV-650FB-CC SpinVessel® is a stepper motor, 100-240 Volts, 50/60 Hz, CE compliant
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
The use of motor controls, like that of all utilization of concentrated power, is potentially hazardous. The degree of
hazard can be greatly reduced by proper design, selection, installation, and use, but all hazards cannot be completely
eliminated.
The following safety precautions must be observed during all phases of installation, operation, service, and repair of
this motor control product. Failure to comply with these precautions or with specific warnings elsewhere in this
manual violates safety standards of design, manufacture and intended use of the products. V&P Scientific assumes
no liability for the customer’s failure to comply with safety requirements and practices.
WARNING
To avoid personnel injury caused by electrical shock, do not remove the cover
of the controller when the power is ON.
CAUTION
Do not disconnect motor during operation. Otherwise, over-current
breakdown may result.
WARRANTY
V&P Scientific, Inc. warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship when used under
normal laboratory conditions for one year. This warranty begins from the date of delivery by V&P Scientific.
In the event this product fails under normal laboratory conditions within the specified period of time because of a
defect in material or workmanship, V&P Scientific will, at its option, repair or replace the product. Damage to the
product caused by user negligence is not covered.
This warranty is made in lieu of other warranties expressed or implied, including merchantability and fitness for a
particular purpose. V&P Scientific shall not be liable for loss or damages arising from the use of these products.
Please keep the special shipping carton in case the unit needs to be shipped back to V&P Scientific. Please contact
V&P Scientific for return authorization and shipping instructions.
If technical assistance is required, contact: V&P Scientific, Inc. at 858-455-0643 or [email protected]