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66 . DSC 4000 Installation and Hardware Guide
AS 6000 Autosampler
The AS 6000 autosampler accessory brings automation capability to the DSC 4000,
DSC 6000, STA 6000 and TGA 4000 when used in conjunction with the Pyris software Player
feature. It offers faster sampling rates than the AS 6 Autosampler.
NOTE: If you have an STA 6000, then you will need firmware for Pyris version 9.1 or later to
operate the AS 6000 autosampler. Select Programs > Pyris Software > Pyris User
manuals > Pyris Installation manuals > Upgrading Pyris Software
Installation.pdf for more information.
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The autosampler is powered by the power supply of the parent instrument.
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The part of the autosampler that manipulates the sample pan is called the gripper. It
comprises three fingers, 120° apart from each other. They extend out of the end of the
gripper housing.
There are only two ranges of motion for the gripper: the gripper arm moves up and
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down and rotates. This allows the gripper to access each sample pan in the trays,
transfer a pan from the tray, through the furnace access hole in the base plate, to the
furnace, and then return it to its position on the tray. Movement in these two directions
also allows the gripper a sufficient range of motions to access the furnace lid(s) and
move it onto and off of the furnace access hole.
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For the DSC 4000 and DSC 6000, you can use the existing robotic sample pans sealed
with the Universal crimper press. All other standard sample pans (sealed and vented)
can also be used. For the TGA 4000 and the STA 6000 the standard crucible (ceramic
pan) is used.
The AS 6000 communicates with the computer via the parent instrument's connection
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to the computer via the RS-232 port.
The parent instrument communicates with the AS 6000 via an I2C bus.
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The autosampler operates over the full temperature ranges of the TGA 4000, STA 6000,
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DSC 4000 and DSC 6000.
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When power is supplied the three-finger gripper mechanism, the metal shrinks and the
fingers open; when power is not supplied, the metal expands and the fingers close.
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The autosampler operates with a feedback system from the instrument. When a sample
pan is located properly on the sensor the autosampler senses this and rises up out of
the furnace.
The light switch sensors by the furnace hole detect the presence of a sample pan or
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furnace lid being placed in the furnace hole. If the autosampler is supposed to be
removing a lid, for example, and the gripper fails to pick up the lid, it is detected by the
sensors and error message is displayed.
The autosampler is fully automated and controlled by the software. The two-piece
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sample tray holds up to 45 samples for efficient unattended operation.
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One tray holds 22 samples and the other 23 samples. This difference means that you
cannot mistakenly place one tray in the wrong position. The trays have recesses on the
bottom which catch positioning pins in the base plate. The positioning pins for one tray
are located in different places than those for the other tray, which also prevents one
tray from being inserted into the wrong location.
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