Clean The Anti-Static Bars; Clean The Destination Plate Gripper Grid - Labcyte Echo 525 User Manual

Maintenance Procedures
Abrasives or sharp-edged tools
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Heat as the water filter is not rated to be autoclavable
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Clean the Anti-Static Bars

The Echo Liquid Handler uses two anti-static bars to neutralize any static charge on the source and destination plates. The anti-
static bars are just inside the door, one right below and the other right above the door opening.
Over time, anti-static bars may accumulate dust or other contaminants on their emitter pins and ground reference surfaces. This
accumulation could result in droplets being inaccurately ejected into the destination plate wells (for example into the corners or
onto the sides of a well). Periodic cleaning will maintain proper anti-static bar operation.
Once a month, dry brush the anti-static bars using the following procedure:
1. Turn off the Echo carriage motors by pushing the Emergency Motion Off switch.
2. Open the door by clicking Door Open in the Diagnostic window.
3. Turn off the anti-static bars by clicking Anti-Static Bars Off in the Diagnostic window.
4. Locate the two anti-static bars.
Figure 108: Anti-static bar location
5. Gently clean the emitter points and ground reference surfaces on both anti-static bars with a dry, soft-bristle, nylon
toothbrush.
Figure 109: Anti-static bar areas requiring cleaning
Note: Leave the upper anti-static bar in either its raised or lowered position—either position is OK.
6. Turn on the Echo carriage motors by turning the Emergency Motion Off switch counterclockwise and releasing it.

Clean the Destination Plate Gripper Grid

The grid on the destination plate gripper is charged with an electrical current during fluid transfer. The electrical field overrides any
static charge that may reside in the destination plate to ensure that the droplets transferred from the source plate wells are
directed upward into the center of the destination wells and not diverted to the side of the wells.
The grid should be inspected for particles and cleaned monthly.
Tools needed:
CHAPTER 6 | Maintenance and Service
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