Vitl Co-mix User manual

Instructions for Use

Instructions for Use
2
This Manual Copyright © 2013-2014 ITL
All rights reserved. No part of this manual may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted, by any means or in any form, without the
prior permission of Integrated Technologies Limited (ITL).
The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice.
ITL assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this or
related documentation.
Document: V501001
Revision: 3-1412
Vitl is the brand name for Integrated Technologies’ own range of laboratory
products. For further details please visit our Vitl web site.
www.vitlproducts.com
All sales and technical enquiries should be addressed to:
VITL Customer Services
Integrated Technologies Limited
Viking House
Ellingham Way
Ashford
Kent
TN23 6NF
United Kingdom
[phone]
[email protected]

Instructions for Use
3
1 Symbols Used in this Instruction Manual
The following advisory symbols are used in this manual.
Table 1: Advisory Symbol Meanings
DANGER
Indicates a Risk of Electric Shock which could, if not avoided,
result in severe injury or death.
DANGER
Indicates a Risk of Explosion which could, if not avoided,
result in severe injury or death.
WARNING
Indicates a hazardous situation which could, if not avoided,
result in severe injury or death; or severely damage the unit.
CAUTION
Indicates a hazardous situation which could, if not avoided,
result in minor or moderate injury; or degrade or impair the
functionality of the unit.
CAUTION
Indicates a Risk of Crush hazard due to moving parts which
could, if not avoided, result in minor or moderate injury.
INFO
Advisory or other useful information.
 NN
Refer to “section NN” for more details.

Instructions for Use
4
2 Safety Precautions and Limitations of Use
It is essential that all users of this equipment have fully read and understood
the following safety precautions and limitations of use before installing or
operating the Co-mix unit.
IMPORTANT
WARNING
The protection provided by this equipment may be impaired if
it is not used in a manner described in this manual.
WARNING
It is essential that the user of this equipment is aware of the
potential hazards associated with the unit and its accessories.
All operators should be familiar with the safety precautions
and warnings given in these instructions before attempting to
operate the unit.
Improper use of this unit or its accessories may impair their
functionality and invalidate the manufacturer’s warranty.
Unit Handling Precautions
CAUTION
Care should be taken not to drop the unit or subject it to rough
physical handling, both during normal use and during
transportation and storage.
Do not use the unit if it shows any signs of damage or wear.
WARNING
The unit should be held and supported in both hands when
lifting or moving. Do not lift the unit by the mixer or vortexer.
The base of the unit is cast from solid metal and is designed
to be heavy. Care should be taken to avoid trapping fingers
under unit when placing it down on a solid surface.
CAUTION
Care should be taken not to knock the LCD display.
Do not use excessive force when pressing the touchscreen
buttons or when cleaning it.

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5
Unit Installation and Operating Environment
DANGER
WARNING
The Co-mix unit is designed for indoor laboratory use only.
The acceptable operating temperature range is 10ºC to 38ºC,
with a relative humidity of 20% to 85% non-condensing, at a
maximum altitude of 2000m above sea level.
If the unit is stored in conditions outside of these ranges, it
must be left to stand unpowered until it has acclimatised to
within these environmental limits before being powered.
DANGER
Use only the AC mains power cord provided with the unit or as
specified in section 11.
The unit must be connected to a suitably earthed mains
supply, with appropriate earth-leakage and over-current
protection.
WARNING
Always ensure that the mains power connector is securely
inserted into the rear of the unit, and any excess power cord
does not pose a potential trip or pull hazard.
DANGER
Do not operate the unit in any area which is, or has been, or is
thought to have been exposed to explosive or flammable
gases, vapours or liquids.
WARNING
The unit must be installed and operated on a solid, stable,
vibration-free and level working surface; ensuring that the
ventilation slots on the underside of the unit are not blocked.
CAUTION
The unit can create strong vibrations at high speeds which
may cause objects positioned near to it to move.
Do not place easily movable objects near the unit; or ensure
that such objects are appropriately secured.

Instructions for Use
6
General Operating Precautions
DANGER
Ensure that the power is switched off at both the AC mains
supply outlet and at the back of the unit before inserting or
removing the mains power cord.
However, if a spillage occurs in or over the unit, always switch
the power off and unplug the power cord at the mains supply
outlet first, before attempting to deal with the spill.
DANGER
The unit is intended for use with aqueous solutions and
suspensions only.
Never use the unit to mix any explosive, volatile or highly
reactive substances or chemicals.
WARNING
To avoid liquid spills and possible cross-contamination of
samples, only use sealed plates and closed tubes when
mixing and vortexing.
WARNING
Injury can occur from flying plates and tubes if they are not
correctly inserted, or if the maximum recommended mixing
speed or total load weight is exceeded.
Always ensure that plates, adaptor blocks and tubes are
correctly and securely inserted, and that plate dimensions
comply with the ANSI/SBS Standards for Microplates.
WARNING
Serious injury can occur from improper vortexing of tubes, and
tubes may be damaged, broken or destroyed.
Never vortex tubes made of glass or other fragile material.
WARNING
Injury or contamination can occur from sample material being
expelled from the plates or tubes whilst mixing and vortexing.
Only ever mix and vortex in sealed plates and closed tubes.
Always follow prescribed laboratory procedures and use
appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE, such as
gloves, clothing, goggles, etc) when handling samples.

Instructions for Use
7
CAUTION
There is a possible finger crush hazard due to moving parts.
Do not remove or replace any consumables, tubes or Adaptor
Blocks whilst the plate mixer is running.
Do not remove the vortexer pad when the unit is switched on.
Unit Maintenance and Serviceability
DANGER
WARNING
There are no user or operator serviceable parts inside the
unit.
Do not remove the unit casework.
Removal of the unit’s casework will void the manufacturer’s
warranty and may expose the user to a Risk of Electric Shock
resulting in serious injury or death.
DANGER
The externally accessible unit fuse will only blow under an
extreme internal fault condition. This fuse should only be
changed after the unit has been thoroughly inspected by a
qualified engineer. See section 8.1 for details.
DANGER
Always switch off the unit and disconnect the power cord
before performing any cleaning or decontamination procedure.
If liquid is spilt into or over the unit, switch off and disconnect
the power from the AC mains outlet before attempting to deal
with the spillage.
CAUTION
The use of harsh chemicals and cleaning agents may damage
the unit and degrade its performance.
Always follow the cleaning and decontamination procedures
specified in sections 8.2 and 8.3 of this instruction manual.

Instructions for Use
8
3 Regulatory Limitations of Use
Declaration of Conformity
Integrated Technologies Limited (ITL) affirm that this product
fulfils the essential requirements of the Low Voltage Directive
(LVD) 2006/95/EC and the EMC Directive 2004/108/EC, when
installed and operated in accordance with the instructions
given in this manual.
The Co-mix unit has been type tested by TRaC Global Ltd
(UKAS accredited Testing Laboratory No 0026) against the
Safety and EMC Requirements listed below, and issued
Certificate Nos TRAC13SAF0012 and TRA-011466-38.
Safety and EMC Requirements
SAFETY
 EN 61010-1:2010, EN 61010-2-051:2003
 UL 61010-1:2001 2nd Edition (CAN C22.2 CSA 61010-1)
EMC
 EN 61326:2006, Class B
 FCC CFR 47 Parts 15.107 and 15.109, Class B
RoHS and WEEE Directive Compliance
This product is compliant with the requirements of the RoHS2
Directive 2011/65/EU for Electrical and Electronic Equipment.
Where applicable, the Co-mix unit should be disposed of in
accordance with the European Union WEEE Directive
2002/96/EC on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment.
Do not dispose of this product into unsorted municipal waste
or public landfill. Please refer to section 8.5 for details of how
to correctly dispose of this product.
The Co-mix unit is designed and manufactured under ISO 9001 by:
Integrated Technologies Limited
Viking House, Ellingham Way, Ashford, Kent, TN23 6NF
United Kingdom

Instructions for Use
9
4 Unit Description
The combined mixer and vortexer unit has the following features:
Figure 1: Front and Rear Unit Views
Table 2: Key for Figure 1 and Figure 2

LCD Touchscreen User Interface
 6.1

Plate Mixer / Plate Holder
 6.3

Plate Clamping Lever
 6.3.2

Tube Vortexer
 6.4

Unit Label and Serial Number
 4

Mains Power Switch
 5

Mains Power Inlet
 5

External Fuse Access Cover
 8.1

Mains Power and Fuse Ratings
 11
The Co-mix has a unique automated plate clamping lever ()
which allows plates and adaptor blocks to be easily inserted and
removed from the plate holder () without disturbing the samples.
  
    

Instructions for Use
10
The unit label is located at the rear and provides general ratings information:
Figure 2: Unit Label and Mains Power Inlet
The unit is also supplied with the following accessories:
Table 3: Unit Accessories
Mains power cord (varies
according to country of use)
 5
 11
96 well PCR plate and 0.2ml tube
adaptor block
 6.3
 6.3.3
24 well 0.5ml tube adaptor block
 6.3
 6.3.4
24 well 1.5ml and 2.0ml tube
adaptor block
 6.3
 6.3.4
Other optional accessories and specialist adaptor blocks may be available on
request. Please contact your distributor for details.
  



Instructions for Use
11
5 Unit Installation
Before installing the Co-mix unit, please check that the delivery is complete
(see Table 3) and that the unit and all accessory parts are intact and free
from any signs of transportation damage.
Please retain all packaging for future transportation and storage of
the unit and its accessories.
The Co-mix unit should be installed in a location which meets the following
requirements:
 Safe and suitable operating environment (see section 2)
 Solid, stable, vibration-free, level working surface
 At least 10cm clearance around the unit to adjacent objects and walls
 Earthed AC mains power connection (see section 11)
WARNING
Please also observe and abide by the Unit Installation and
Operating Environment safety precautions and preconditions
listed in section 2.
Install and test the Co-mix unit using the following procedure:
1. Place the Co-mix unit on the suitably selected working surface (as
specified above), ensuring that the ventilation slots on the underside of
the unit are not covered or blocked.
2. Connect the unit to the AC mains power outlet using the mains power
cord supplied (see section 4).
3. Switch the mains power on at supply outlet first, and then switch the
unit on using the power switch located at the rear of the unit.
4. Carry out a mixing test at the maximum required load and speed (using
the free-style MIX program described in section 6.3.1) to determine if
the grip between the unit and the working surface is sufficient to
prevent the unit from moving.
5. If the surface grip is sufficient, then the Co-mix unit should not be
moved from this installed position.
If the unit needs to be repositioned in the future, then the above installation
procedure should be repeated at the new location.

Instructions for Use
12
6 Unit Operation
WARNING
Please ensure that you have read and fully understood all of
the Safety Precautions and Limitations of Use listed in
section 2 before attempting to operate the Co-mix unit.
6.1 Overview of Operating Controls
The unit’s user interface consists of a colour LCD touchscreen, with page
selection tabs down the left-hand side of the display and function buttons
along the bottom.
Page Selection Tabs
Control and Status
Function and Option buttons
The Co-mix is designed to allow simultaneous operation of both the plate
mixer and tube vortexer, by providing easy mode switching using the three
page selection tabs shown in Table 4.
Table 4: Page Selection Tabs
Plate Mixer control and status
 6.3
Tube Vortexer control and status
 6.4
User Preferences and options
 7.4

Instructions for Use
13
The unit can store up to 200 mixing and vortexing programs (each with
different speed and time parameter settings) and is preloaded with eight
commonly used mixing programs.
The program selection grid on the Mixer and Vortexer pages can store up to
100 programs each, arranged as a 3x3 scrolling grid list.
Home
Previous
Next
Tools
Accept
Each program grid button shows the program’s ID and the assigned speed
and time parameters.
Program ID
Favourite
Pre-defined
Speed
Time
To load a program, use the Home button to jump to the top of the program
grid list or the Next and Previous buttons to scroll through the list to highlight
the desired program, and then press the Accept button.
The Tools button allows access to advanced program set-up functions,
including user-defined programs and profiled mixing programs.
Once the unit has been fully set-up, the program set-up functions
can be disabled to prevent accidental modifications. Refer to
section 7.4 for details.

Instructions for Use
14
The user interface and controls are described in detail in sections 6.3, 6.4
and 7. Below is a quick reference guide to the main button functions.
Table 5: Button Quick Reference
Accept or Cancel option
Home, Previous or Next program
 6.3.1
Program Tools menu
 7.1
Exit to previous menu
Add/remove Favourite program
 7.1.1
New, Edit or Delete program
 7.1
Change program ID or Info
 7.1.3
Change user program Adaptor type
 7.1.3
Unlock program speed and time
 7.1.3
Increase or Decrease setting
 6.3.1
Show Program selection grid list
 6.3.1
Mixer program Profile edit
 7.2
Open or Close clamping mechanism
 6.3.1
Mute audible sounder
 6.3.1
Start and Stop mixing or vortexing
 6.3.1
Vortexer Restart mode
 6.4.2
The user preferences and set-up option buttons are detailed in section 7.4.

Instructions for Use
15
Table 6 provides an overview of the button presses required to perform
certain common actions.
Table 6: Menu Structure and Button Presses
Action
Button Sequence
Load a
program
→ →
 6.1
Load free-style
program
→ → →
 6.3.1
Fine tune free-
style program
→ →
 6.3.1
Plate or Tube
Mixing
→ → 
 6.3.1
Automatic Tube
Vortexing
 
 6.4.1
Manual Tube
Vortexing
→ →
 6.4.1
Batch Tube
Vortexing
→ → 
 6.4.2
Add favourite
program
→ → →
 7.1.1
Create new
program
→ → →
 7.1.2
Edit user-defined
program
→ → →
 7.1.3
Change program
speed and time
→ → →
 7.1.3
Edit profiled
program
→ → →
 7.2
Delete user-
defined program
→ → → →
 7.1.4
6.2 Unit Shutdown Procedure
After use, and before switch off the power to the unit, ensure that any plate or
adaptor block has been removed from the mixer plate holder, and then put
the unit into standby mode as described in section 7.4.6.

Instructions for Use
16
6.3 Mixing Plates and Tubes
The mixer is designed to handle commonly used standard sample plates and
micro test tubes, as listed in Table 7.
Table 7: Supported Plate and Tube Types
Plate or Tube Type
Plate
Holder
Adaptor Block Type
PCR 0.2 ml
0.5 ml
1.5 / 2.0 ml
x
1
2
3
MTP 96 and 384 Well

DWP 96 and 384 Well

Fully-skirted PCR Plate

Semi-skirted PCR Plate

Un-skirted PCR Plate

PCR 0.2 ml Tubes

0.5 ml Tubes

1.5 ml Tubes

2.0 ml Tubes

CAUTION
 All plates must conform to the ANSI/SBS Standard for
Microplates to ensure secure positioning in the plate holder.
 The maximum permissible mixing speed for DWPs and
Adaptor Blocks, or  other plates over 80g, is 2000 RPM.
The Co-mix has eight pre-defined programs with recommended mixing
speeds and times to support the plate and tube types listed in Table 7. Refer
to section 6.3.2 and Table 8 for details.
The unit can also store over 90 user-defined mixing programs to easily
facilitate the use of other specific plates, sample types and fill volumes. See
section 6.3.5 for details.
Other specialist adaptor blocks may be available on request.
Please contact your distributor with your specific requirements.

Instructions for Use
17
6.3.1 Mixing with Free-style Parameters
The first program in the Mixer selection grid list is always the free-style MIX
program. This is a special program which allows the user to freely change the
mixing speed and time parameters to suit their immediate needs.
The mixer speed can be set between 200 RPM and 3000 RPM, and the time
between 5 seconds and 28 days.
Home
Previous
Next
Tools
Accept
To load the MIX program, select the Mixer page tab, then press the Home
button, followed by the Accept button.
→ → →
The plate clamping mechanism will automatically open, ready to accept the
plate or adaptor block to be mixed.
Refer to section 6.3.2 for the use of the plate adaptor blocks and
associated pre-defined mixing programs.

Instructions for Use
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The display now shows the current program parameters, which can be
manually changed using the Increase and Decrease buttons below the
speed and time values. Any changes are automatically saved in memory.
Programs
Profile
Clamp
Mute
Start
For the MIX program, the Increase and Decrease buttons are
always enabled to allow the speed and time parameters to be
freely changed, even when the mixer is running.
Place the plate or adaptor block vertically down into the plate holder, making
sure it is sitting flat on the base of the holder.
WARNING
Injury can occur from flying plates and tubes if they are not
correctly inserted, or if the maximum recommended mixing
speed or total load weight is exceeded (see section 6.3).

Instructions for Use
19
DANGER
Injury or contamination may also occur from sample material
being expelled from plates or tubes whilst mixing. Always use
sealed plates and closed tubes, and wear appropriate
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Next press the Start button to begin the mixing process. The plate clamping
mechanism will automatically close to firmly grip the plate or adaptor block
and the specified mixing program will be run.
The mixing timer will now count down each second until it reaches zero, or
the Stop button is pressed.
Stop
NOTE
The Co-mix unit has a vibration sensor which detects if the mixer
becomes unstable, and automatically decreases the mixing speed
(displaying the new RPM in red) to reduce the vibration. If there is
still too much vibration, mixing is aborted and an E25 error
displayed. See Table 18 for error code descriptions.

Instructions for Use
20
When mixing is complete, the unit beeps three times and the plate clamping
mechanism automatically opens so that the plate or adaptor block can be
easily removed without disturbing the samples.
The volume of the beeps at the end of mixing process can be
adjusted from the user Preferences page (see section 7.4.1) or
temporarily disabled by pressing the Mute button.
The display will return to the previous screen, ready to accept the next plate
to be mixed.
Pressing the Programs button will close the plate clamping mechanism and
return to the mixer program selection screen.
The Clamp button can be used to manually open and close the plate
clamping mechanism if required.
↔
Open
Close
NOTE
If the plate clamping mechanism is left open for longer than 5
minutes, it automatically closes to conserve energy. It can be re-
opened by simply pressing the Clamp open button.