Processing Microplates; Controlling The Biostack - Biotek BioStack 4 Operator's Manual

46 | Chapter 3: Operation
Less-rigid polypropylene, low-profile PCR plates must have sealing tape applied
n
over the entire top surface. BioStack 4 is designed to better handle plate
warping than other models, nevertheless, these plates may cause problems,
especially after thermocycling.
Do your plates nest easily?
Perform this test to determine whether a particular brand of plates will nest easily:
Stack one plate on top of another and then check to see if the top plate is slightly (1
mm or 1/16") off to the side or front-to-back. If this is the case, the plates may catch
when moving down the stack.

Processing Microplates

After aligning the BioStack's gripper with the instrument's plate carrier, you can
begin processing microplates:
Load Plates into Input Stack on page 43
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Load Plates Using the Pedestal on page 44
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Lock the stacks
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stacks.
Consider whether to Restack the Plates on page 49
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Review Processing Plates with Lids on page 49, if applicable
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Start Up the BioStack on page 57
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Controlling the BioStack:

Keypad Control
(liquid handlers only)
When controlling the BioStack with the
instrument's keypad, plates are automatically
transferred whenever a protocol other than a
maintenance or priming protocol is run.
Make sure the washer/dispenser is configured
for BioStack operation: Connect to Liquid
Handler on page 33.
405 TS and MultiFlo FX touch screen instruments
You must create a BioStack-specific protocol. Refer to the instrument-specific
instructions about operating with the BioStack.
BioStack™ Microplate Stacker
: Slide the stack locks after loading the input and output
Computer Control
Review instructions in the software's Help
system to tell the BioStack when to transfer
microplates.
When using one computer to control multiple
instruments, open two sessions of the
software, one for each instrument.