Introduction To The Well-Plate Sampler - Agilent Technologies G1367A Reference Manual

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Introduction to the Well-plate Sampler

Introduction to the Well-plate Sampler

Four models of Agilent 1100 Series well-plate sampler are available:
• G1367A Well-plate sampler
• G1368A Thermostatted well-plate sampler
• G1377A Micro well-plate sampler
• G1378A Thermostatted micro well-plate sampler
They are referred to in this introduction as the well-plate sampler and the
thermostatted well-plate sampler. Unless otherwise stated all information in
this section is valid for all models.
The Agilent 1100 Series well-plate samplers and Agilent 1100 Series
thermostatted well-plate samplers are designed for use with other modules of
the Agilent 1100 Series LC system, with the HP 1050 Series, or with other LC
systems if adequate remote control inputs and outputs are available. The well-
plate samplers are controlled from the Agilent 1100 Series control module or
from the Agilent ChemStation for LC.
The special-designed thermostattable sample tray for this instrument holds 2
well-plates (shallow - or deepwell) and additional 10 x 2.0 ml vials. The format
of the well-plates can be up to 384 wells per plate (on a footprint of
128x86 mm). The well-plate sampler can also handle 100 x 2 ml vials using the
current trays for the Agilent G1313/29A autosampler. There are sensors to
detect the presence of the tray.
The well-plate sampler transport mechanism uses an X-Z-theta robot to
optimize the positioning of the sampling arm on the well-plate. Once the
sampling arm is positioned over the programmed sample position, the
programmed sample volume is drawn by the metering device into the sampling
needle. The sampling arm then moves to the injection position where the
sample is flushed onto the column.
The well-plate sampler employs a vial/plate pusher mechanism to hold down
the vial or the plate while the needle is drawn back from the sample vessel (a
must in the case a septum is used). This vial/plate pusher employs a sensor to
detect the presence of a plate. All axes of the transport mechanism
(x-,z-,theta-robot) are driven by stepper-motors. Optical encoders ensure the
correct operation of the movement.
198 1100 Series WS MWS Reference Manual