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Prior Scientific PLW20 Manual

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More to Prior than meets the eye
PLW20
Well Plate Loader
Manual
H4648 V3.0
www.prior.com

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Summary of Contents for Prior Scientific PLW20

  • Page 1 More to Prior than meets the eye PLW20 Well Plate Loader Manual H4648 V3.0 www.prior.com...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    10 4.3 Connection Identification 10 SECTION 5 – INSTALLATION 5.1 Installing your system 5.2 Installing the stage onto the microscope SECTION 6 – SETUP OF THE PLW20 6.1 Software 6.2 Software Screen 6.3 Starting setup 6.4 Setup of the PLW20 20 SECTION 7 – OPERATION OF THE PLW20 7.1 Using the Software...
  • Page 3 More to PRIOR than meets the eye SECTION 12 – APPENDIX Appendix A – Using Prior Terminal Appendix B – Fitting a barcode reader Appendix C – Using a barcode reader www.prior.com...

  • Page 4: Section 1 – Safety Information

    Do not use where the equipment may be subjected to dripping or splashing liquids. • This equipment contains no user-serviceable parts. Refer all repairs to qualified service personnel. • Keep fingers and hands clear of the PLW20’s moving parts when it is operating. • It is the user/operators responsibility to ensure good laboratory practise is followed if well plates contain hazardous material. PLW20 Manual V3.0...
  • Page 5 Warning: read instructions to understand possible hazard Warning: hazardous voltage Safety- System Integration The Prior PLW20 is designed and assessed to have no serious hazards. However it is always used as a component within a complete microscopy system. GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR USE/OPERATION.
  • Page 6 MRH48230 CFI Super Plan Fluor ELWD ADM 20XC N.A. 0.45, W.D. 8.2-6.9mm, PH-1 MRH48430 CFI Super Plan Fluor ELWD ADM 40XC N.A. 0.60, W.D. 3.6-2.8mm, PH-2 MRF00040 CFI S Fluor 4X N.A. 0.20, W.D. 15.5mm MRD00025 CFI Plan Apochromat Lambda 2X N.A. 0.10, W.D. 8.5 mm MRD00045 CFI Plan Apochromat Lambda 4X N.A. 0.20, W.D. 20 mm MRL00042 CFI Plan Achromat 4X N.A. 0.10, W.D. 30.0 mm Oil objectives should be used only with extreme caution – consult a specialist before proceeding. Mercury bulbs MUST NOT be used with this system. If using a camera, it must be mounted on the left hand side of the microscope. PLW20 Manual V3.0...

  • Page 7: Section 2 - Specifications

    More to PRIOR than meets the eye Section 2 SPECIFICATIONS This equipment is for indoor use and will meet its performance figures within an ambient temperature range 5 to 40°C with maximum relative humidity of 80% humidity (deteriorating linearly to 50% above 31ºC). • Size 570mm deep x 850mm wide x 680m high • Weight 57Kg gross, (includes Plate loader, all accessories and packaging). 32Kg Net (plate loader fully assembled with accessories, but no packaging). The weight of the microscope is not included in these figures. • Capacity of 20 slides (2 racks of 10). • Plate type Standard well plates with and without covers. • Plate change time of 28 seconds. • Input Voltage 100v to 240v. •...

  • Page 8: Section 3 - Unpacking

    The PC terminal must be positioned close to the plate loader so that the PC operator has a clear, unobstructed view of the plate loader. This ensures that the PC operator will be aware of any person or obstructions in the vicinity of the plate loaders moving parts, before starting the loader. A red Fast Stop button can be found on the front of the Plate loader. This can be used to instantly cut the power to the loader, immediately halting any arm movements. PLW20 Manual V3.0...

  • Page 9: Packing

    Read the information in Section 1.2 regarding objective and condenser compatibility. 3.3 PACKING The PLW20 is securely and safely packed in 3 sections inside the box. Section one contains 2 x 10 slot hotels. Section two contains the plate loader tower. Section three contains the X-axis assembly and base kit.

  • Page 10: System Diagram

    Section 4 IDENTIFYING YOUR SYSTEM 4.1 SYSTEM DIAGRAM Z-Axis arm Barcode Reader (optional) Gripper Y-axis tower Base plate Hotel Rack 2 Hotel Rack 1 Apartment 10 Apartment 1 10) Hotel rack 11) Z-Axis linear rail 12) Gripper arms 13) Barcode reader PLW20 Manual V3.0...

  • Page 11: Plate Loader Movement And Axis Identification

    More to PRIOR than meets the eye 4.2 PLATE LOADER MOVEMENT AND AXIS IDENTIFICATION Plate loader movement is defined as X, Y, Z, and G. X axis being the rotational movement of the plate loader. Y axis relates to the up and down movement of the loader arm. Z axis Relates to the extend and retract movement of the extension on the gripper arm. Finally, G axis movement relates to the opening and closing of the gripper jaws. 4.3 CONNECTION IDENTIFICATION Mains connector Fuse housings USB connector On/off switch 4 Way binder socket www.prior.com...

  • Page 12: Installing Your System

    Section 5 INSTALLATION 5.1- INSTALLING YOUR SYSTEM Remove X-axis assembly from packaging case and place on suitable bench. (Fig 1). Note position of the emergency stop (circled). Remove Y-axis tower assembly from packaging and lower onto x-axis assembly as shown (Fig 2). Ensure mating faces are debris free and aligned correctly. Align D connector on loader arm with the D connector on the loader base. (Fig 3). Once in place ensure that the bottom of the tower is flush with the base before securing with the four M5 screws and the single M3 screw (Fig 02 & 03). With Y-axis tower installed, remove anti rotation shipping screw (Fig 02). PLW20 Manual V3.0...
  • Page 13 More to PRIOR than meets the eye Remove anti rotation INSERT M3 x 6 socket pan INSERT M5 x 16 socket shipping screw head screw to secure button head screws into each of four positions and secure firmly. M5 mounting holes are circled in orange, M3 mounting holes in green. www.prior.com...
  • Page 14 Remove well plate hotels from packaging and fit onto loader plate. Ensure locking clasp is positioned as shown below (Fig 04) Hotel 1 bay Hotel present switch Hotel 2 bay Well plate hotel locking clasp Locate dovetail on front of hotel under the plate dovetail on loader, and lower rear of hotel down onto plate. (Fig 05) Hotel Dovetail PLW20 Manual V3.0...
  • Page 15 More to PRIOR than meets the eye With the hotel in position move clasp to right (Fig 6) to secure the hotel in place and activate ‘hotel present’ switch. Repeat for hotel 2. www.prior.com...

  • Page 16: Installing The Stage Onto The Microscope

    The cable connections to the ProScan controller are located on the rear panel of the control box Before making any of these connections, ensure that the ProScan controller is switched off. Each connection is well labeled but great care should be taken not to try and connect your computer’s serial port cable to the `Z’ axis connector on the controller. The RS232 connection from your computer should be made to the RS232-1 port on the controller. For USB connection to your computer see separate section on this subject. PLW20 Manual V3.0...
  • Page 17 More to PRIOR than meets the eye Rear of the Microscope Cable to PLW20 Mounting Holes Stage Locking Clamp Front of the Microscope www.prior.com...

  • Page 18: Software

    Section 6 SETUP OF THE PLW20 6.1 SOFTWARE Before working with the PLW20 you must first install Prior software on your PC. Visit Prior software download centre website and download either the 32bit software or 64bit software depending on your Windows operating system. Make sure the software is version v8.4.35 or above. http://www.prior-scientific.co.uk/Customer-Support/Download-Centre/ 32bit software download for Window XP and Window 7(v8.4.35): Demonstration programs for ProScan, OptiScan, Slide Loader and Plate Loader; USB drivers and PCI card drivers.

  • Page 19: Starting Setup

    More to PRIOR than meets the eye 6.3 STARTING SETUP Note: A red Fast Stop button can be found on the front of the Plate loader. This can be used to instantly cut the power to the loader, immediately halting any arm movements. This button must be release before power can be returned to the loader. It is important for the plate loader to initialize to known datum points before you can proceed with the setup procedure. The datum points are the limit switches which define the end points of the travel for the X, Y, and Z of the loader.
  • Page 20 5. The manual mover screen will appear (Fig 12), use this to move the loader to a position clear of the stage and about half way up the Y axis. If a warning appears indicating that a well plate is in the gripper, manually remove this well plate and continue. Use the G button in the manual mover screen to open the gripper, remember to place a hand under the well plate to catch it as the gripper arms open. Closing the manual move screen will bring up the following window (Fig 13). Click ‘OK’ to continue. The stage will then move to its Load Position and the loader will automatically perform initialisation. Once this is completed the setup procedure can begin. PLW20 Manual V3.0...

  • Page 21: Setup Of The Plw20

    More to PRIOR than meets the eye 6.4 – SETUP OF THE PLW20 After the initialisation step has been completed, you are required to complete a set up procedure. If a set up has not already been completed then the manual mover screen will reappear. It can be controlled via either velocity move or jog move.
  • Page 22 A red FAST STOP button can be found on the front of the well plate loader. This can be used to instantly cut the power to the loader, immediately halting any arm movements. This button MUST be released before power can be returned to the loader. Move the gripper to the Hotel1 reference point. Check that the gripper arms are central in the insert, flush with the base and the leading edges of the gripper paddles are flush with the set up tabs and the base of the paddles are just resting on the base tabs. See Fig 17. PLW20 Manual V3.0...
  • Page 23 More to PRIOR than meets the eye Set up tabs Base tabs Click ‘Next’ to save the hotel setup position. When the software asks for confirmation of the Hotel Setup Position, click ‘Yes’. Click ‘Next’. The loader will now move the gripper arm to a safe position, ready for the next stage of the setup (Figure 18). www.prior.com...
  • Page 24 Click ‘Next’. The ‘Fit Hotel’ window will now appear. Place a Hotel onto its pay in position 1 of the well plate loader’s main body. Insert a well plate into apartment 1 of the Hotel. Click the ‘Next’ button. The ‘Scanning Hotel’ window will appear and the loader will automatically scan Hotel 1, pick up the well plate and move it to a safe position above the stage (Figure 20). PLW20 Manual V3.0...
  • Page 25 More to PRIOR than meets the eye Click ‘Next’ to continue to the ‘Wait Until Robot Stops Moving’ window (Fig 21). Once the loader has finished moving the gripper arm, click ‘Next’ to continue. The ‘Store Stage Setup Point’ window will appear (Fig 22). THE STAGE MUST BE AT ITS LOADING POSITION (AS FAR BACK AND FAR RIGHT AS CAN BE). Use the manual mover arrows to firstly extend the gripper arm to almost its maximum limits along the Z axis. You should be able to just see the end of the Z axis linear rail. Move the gripper arm down the Y axis until it has come to a rest just above the motorised microscope stage. Make sure that the stage clamp is in the OPEN position, as shown in Fig 23. www.prior.com...
  • Page 26 A setup tool is provided to aid this procedure see Fig 24, 25 and 26. Use the manual mover keys to slowly adjust the height of the Y axis to carefully lower the well plate inside of the stage insert. The well plate should be positioned such that it just rests on the insert face of the stage; flush with the setup tool. PLW20 Manual V3.0...
  • Page 27 More to PRIOR than meets the eye When you are satisfied with the positioning, click ‘Next’. Click ‘Yes’ to confirm the position. Click ‘Next’ to continue (fig 27). The loader will now pick up the well plate from the stage and position it back into Apartment 1 of Hotel 1 and the following window will appear (fig 28). www.prior.com...
  • Page 28 Click ‘Finish’ to complete the setup. The microscope should now be in the optimal position for loading. Thus it should be fixed in this position. Fix the microscope locking blocks in position and gently rest the pads against the microscope to fix it in position (circled, Fig 29 and 30). PLW20 Manual V3.0...

  • Page 29: Using The Software

    More to PRIOR than meets the eye Section 7 OPERATION OF THE PLW20 7.1 – USING THE SOFTWARE The Prior demo software can be used to run and test the installation and set up of the Well Plate Loader. The functions of the application can be located in the menu bar (Fig 31). Connect / DisConnect This will establish a connection from the PC to the WellPlate Loader.
  • Page 30 Moves the stage to the load position ready to receive the well plate. Stage → Move Stage to Scan Moves the stage to the scan position ready to scan the well plate. Help Contains useful information relating to the Prior Demo software. PLW20 Manual V3.0...

  • Page 31: Testing A Setup Via Single Step Moves

    More to PRIOR than meets the eye 7.2 – TESTING SETUP VIA SINGLE STEP MOVES 1. Add plates to the hotels and mount hotels onto the well plate loader base. 2. Press ‘Scan’ and the loader will automatically scan the hotel and record the location of any well plates present. If a well plate is located in an apartment it will be indicated as a green bar (Fig 32) Stage Bay Well Plate...

  • Page 32: Testing A Setup Via A Soak Test

    If a well plate is located it will be indicated as a green bar. 3. Go to Options Soak Test →Start Soak. The loader will begin to load and unload the well plates in sequence until the Soak Test →Stop Soak command is clicked. 4. The Soak test can be paused or continued using the buttons on the screen. 5. If the Soak Test →Rastor is selected then during the Soak test the stage will also perform a rastor move. PLW20 Manual V3.0...

  • Page 33: Typical Screenshots

    More to PRIOR than meets the eye 7.4 – TYPICAL SCREENSHOTS Beginning of a load sequence, when the loader is ‘Active’. Plate selected and status now shows ‘Active’ indicating the load process has started. Status reading ‘Plate on Arm’, indicating that the gripper has picked up the well plate. Well plate loaded onto stage, loader idle. Plate loaded to the stage position, indicated by green bar in ‘Stage’ bay. Status reads ‘Idle’ indicating that the move is complete. www.prior.com...
  • Page 34 Well plate scanned and returned to hotel, Loader ‘idle’. Blue bar indicates a plate that has been successfully loaded onto the stage and returned back to the hotel. Status reading ‘Idle’ indicates that the move is now complete. PLW20 Manual V3.0...

  • Page 35: Section 8 – Routine Maintenance

    • The PLW20 only contains primary circuits with EMC filters. If PAT testing, apply DC flash tests only. Avoid repeated application of such tests as this may damage insulation. • This equipment contains no user-serviceable parts. Refer all repairs to qualified service personnel. • Opening the product voids the warranty. • Oil and residue removal - Rinse the plate hotels in your laboratories designated cleaning solvent to remove the oil. (Refer to your health and safety procedures on using this solvent). IF IN DOUBT PLEASE CONTACT PRIOR SCIENTIFIC www.prior.com...

  • Page 36: Section 9 – Software Integration

    ProScan, OptiScan, Slide Loader and Plate Loader; USB drivers and PCI card drivers. 64bit software download for Window XP and Window 7(v8.4.35): Demonstration programs for ProScan, OptiScan, Slide Loader and Plate Loader; USB drivers and PCI card drivers. PLW20 Manual V3.0...

  • Page 37: Section 10 – Troubleshooting

    More to PRIOR than meets the eye Section 10 TROUBLESHOOTING Note that some error messages may necessitate reinitialising the loader. NOT INITIALISED Plate Loader has not initialised Goto Options → Initialise to begin initialisation process NOT SETUP Plate Loader has not been set up Goto → Redo Setup to begin set up procedure STAGE NOT AT LOAD POSITION The motorised stage is not at the load position ready to accept the well plate. Move the stage to the load position using either the joystick or Stage → Move to Load function.
  • Page 38 Check power connections. Check Device Manager to make sure USB driver loaded correctly. Consult Prior Scientfic if using an operating system other than Windows 7+. AXIS STALLED The loader arm has stalled on either X,Y or Z axis. This could have been caused by either; i) A physical obstruction preventing movement. ii) It could also occur if some discontinuity exists between the true position of the loader and where the software actually thinks it is. Remove the physical obstruction if any present. If none is present, this indicates problems with the encoder or motor. Please contact Prior Scientific. GRIPPER HOMING FAILED Gripper fails to home during initialisation Problem with the sensor, please contact Prior Scientific. WRONG GRIPPER SENSOR READING The sensor incorrectly detects if a well plate is present or not. Possible causes could be; Plate removed from hotel after a scan → replace the plate in rack and restart scan. Gripper malfunction. – contact Prior Scientific. PLW20 Manual V3.0...

  • Page 39: Section 11 – Returns And Repairs

    Email:info@prior.com Phone: 781.878.8442 Email: inquiries@prior.com Fax: 781.878.8736 Phone: +44 (0)1223 881711 Fax: +44 (0)1223 881710 Prior Scientific Instruments GmbH Prior Scientific KK Hans-Knöll-Str. 6 Kayabacho 3rd Nagaoka Bldg 10F, D-07745 Jena 2-7-10, Nihonbashi Kayabacho Germany Chuo-Ku Tokyo103-0025 Email: jena@prior.com Japan Phone: +49 (0)3641 675 650 info-japan@prior.com Fax: +49 (0)3641 675 651 Phone: 03-5652-8831 Prior Scientific Instruments (Suzhou) Ltd. 509 Tayun Plaza, 188 Tayun Road Suzhou, 215000 China Email:info-china@prior.com Phone: +86 (0)512 6617 5866 www.prior.com...
  • Page 40 Section 12 APPENDIX Appendix A: Using Prior Terminal Click on the Windows Start menu and go to ‘All Programs’. Go to ‘Prior Scientific’ and select ‘Visual Basic’. From this, go to ‘Prior Terminal’ and open that program. Other programs are also available. The ‘Controller Demo’ will be covered later in this guide. Since the other programs are specific to a particular product, instructions for these are covered in the respective manuals. Prior Terminal – click on this to select PLW20 Manual V3.0...
  • Page 41 More to PRIOR than meets the eye COM Button Logs comms traffic Create, edit and run scripts Double click here to Clears display re execute a com- mand, and right click Create a new, here to change text delete, or select size. an active button group Right click here to add buttons, and left click a Type here to enter...
  • Page 42 Note that Legacy ES9/ES10/PS2 controllers use a Cypress USB chip set that is no longer supported by Windows. It is recommended in this case to use an off the shelf USB-to- RS232 adapter cable. PLW20 Manual V3.0...
  • Page 43 More to PRIOR than meets the eye Appendix B: Installing a Bar Code Reader Make sure that the well plate loader is powered off and locate the barcode reader mounting bracket on the plate loader arm. Barcode reader mounting bracket Remove the cover from the Z axis drive box to allow you to feed the barcode reader cable through the cable holes. www.prior.com...
  • Page 44 Feed the barcode reader cable through the lower of the cable sockets, through the drive box, and out through the other side. Replace the cover of the drivebox, and plug in the barcode reader to its socket, remembering to make sure that the well plate loader is powered off. The socket to connect the barcode reader is found on the reverse side of the drive box. Power on the wellplate reader and the barcode reader will now be ready for use. PLW20 Manual V3.0...
  • Page 45 More to PRIOR than meets the eye Appendix C: Using a Barcode Reader The Barcode Reader helps to fulfil Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and ensure data integrity by ensuring that captured images are linked to the correct well plate. It decreases the chances of human error leading to images being misattributed. The Barcode Reader is compatible with a wide variety of commonly used barcode formats. Therefore, if the barcodes are not being read into the system, then please contact Prior Scientific to ensure that the format is compatible with the Barcode Reader.
  • Page 46 û Above: Incorrect placement Below: Incorrect placement, with the lid edge partially covering barcode û If the PLW20 system and Barcode Reader have been integrated into non-Prior software, and you are encountering problems, then firstly attempt normal operation using only the Prior Well Plate Loader Software, in order to identify where the problem lies. PLW20 Manual V3.0...
  • Page 47 More to PRIOR than meets the eye www.prior.com...
  • Page 48 Notes: PLW20 Manual V3.0...
  • Page 49 More to PRIOR than meets the eye Notes: www.prior.com...
  • Page 50 More to PRIOR than meets the eye For more information please visit www.prior.com or contact e: techsupport@prior.com WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION Prior Scientific Ltd Prior Scientific Inc Prior Scientific GmbH Prior Scientific KK Prior Scientific China Cambridge, UK Rockland MA U.S.A Jena, Germany...

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