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

V&P Scientific, Inc. 1 Technical Note 378B
Technical Note 378B
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR
VP 418SV2-1L-FB-CC SpinVessel®
*US and Foreign Patents Pending
SpinVessel® System with Computer Control feature for 1L SpinVessel® Tube:
VP 418SV2-1-1L-FB-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-1L-FB, sold separately.

V&P Scientific, Inc. 2 Technical Note 378B
SET-UP
CONNECTING PARTS OF THE SpinVessel® SYSTEM
Power and Controller Connections
1. Place Motor Unit on a sturdy lab bench, table, or robotic workstation. Note that Z height
with tube is 136mm (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.
Power Switch
Power Cable
Connetor
USB
Cable Connector
Controller
Cable
Connector
Controller
Controller
Cable
Controller
Motor
Unit
Power
Supply
Power
Cable
Power Cord
USB
Cable
Spin
Base
USB
Drive

V&P Scientific, Inc. 3 Technical Note 378B
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
Spin
Base
Registration Disc
VP 830SV-1L-FB

V&P Scientific, Inc. 4 Technical Note 378B
ALIGNING PIPET TIPS TO THE SpinVessel® TUBE
To align pipet tips to inside of SpinVessel®
tube, use the registration disc. Place disc on
top of the drive base, not the tube. Lower the
pipet tips until they just touch the disc. Align
robot tips to the holes. This registers the pipet
head to the SpinVessel® and prevents the
pipet tips from hitting the SpinVessel
projections.
Z height needs to be adjusted with tube in place.
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.
Insert the SpinVessel® tube VP 830SV-650FB
into the SpinVessel® spin 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
the spin base.
Place SpinVessel® motor unit in desired
location on an automated liquid handler in a
microplate holder. See drawings on next page
to assist in this step.
The motor unit is SLAS format (127.7mm x
85.5mm) which will fit into any SLAS plate
locator or carrier.

V&P Scientific, Inc. 5 Technical Note 378B
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 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.

V&P Scientific, Inc. 6 Technical Note 378B
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 378B
USING A 1L SpinVessel®SYSTEM
The optimal stirring mode is dependent upon the application and needs to be empirically
determined. Factors to consider in determining optimal 1L SpinVessel® operation are the density of
the particulates, their size and shape, as well as the volume and viscosity of the liquid. Start with 150
RPM and 2.1 rotations before reversing direction, then test to determine 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,
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 settings are ones to use when first testing the VP 418SV-1-1L-FB-CC SpinVessel®:
Speed: 150 RPM Rotate: 2.1 Pause: 200 milliseconds Ramp: 10
It is always a good idea to practice with water in the SpinVessel® to determine safe RPM, rotation,
pause and ramp numbers before using expensive reagents.
Note that, if Ramp is set to 0, water will splash out of the 1L Spin Vessel.
The VP 418SV1-1L-FB-CC SpinVessel® is designed to be used only with a VP 830SV-1L-FB 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 for
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
2 5 9 14 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 378B
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-1-1L-FB-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.

V&P Scientific, Inc. 9 Technical Note 378B
Please keep the special shipping carton in case the unit needs to be shipped back to V&P Scientific.
Please contact V&P Scientific at the address below for return authorization and shipping instructions.
This warranty is made in lieu of other warranties expressed or implied including the warranties of
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.
If assistance is required, contact V&P Scientific, Inc. at 858-455-0643 or [email protected].