Molecular Devices StakMax User Manual
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Molecular Devices StakMax User Manual

Plate handling system
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StakMax
Plate Handling System
®
User Guide
0112-0133 Rev B
May 2010

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Summary of Contents for Molecular Devices StakMax

  • Page 1 StakMax Plate Handling System ® User Guide 0112-0133 Rev B May 2010...
  • Page 2 Molecular Devices makes no warranties or representations as to the fitness of this equipment for any particular purpose and assumes no responsibility or contingent liability, including indirect or consequential damages, for any use to which the purchaser may put the equipment described herein, or for any adverse circumstances arising therefrom.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Connecting the Cables ........22 Installing the StakMax® Driver ......26 Starting the Software Calibration .
  • Page 4 Chapter 5 Operation ........89 Starting the StakMax® System......89 Turning the StakMax®...
  • Page 5 Command Definitions ........120 StakMax® Commands ........120 SoftMax®...
  • Page 6 Contents General Specifications ........141 Diagrams ..........142 0112-0133 Rev B...

  • Page 7: Safety

    Labeling on page 7 • Emergency Interrupt on page 9 Safety Guidelines Read and understand all of the safety guidelines before using the StakMax instrument. Labeling The following warning labels are attached to the StakMax instrument. Do not remove these labels.
  • Page 8 StakMax Identification, voltage, ® and serial number (back of instrument) +24V 1311 Orleans Drive, Sunnyvale CA 94089 408 747-1700 StakMax input and output stack labels INPUT OUTPUT STACK STACK Laser-based barcode reader safety label (internal) Power I/O label (right side of...

  • Page 9: Emergency Interrupt

    ® Emergency Interrupt The StakMax instrument Power/Reset button is located on the left side of the front panel. The Power/Reset button operates as a Power On button and it functions as a Reset button that can be used in case of emergency (for example, the instrument is about to crash).
  • Page 10 Safety 0112-0133 Rev B...

  • Page 11: Preface

    StakMax microplate handler and software. The StakMax instrument is a plate handling system that can be attached to several different types of instruments. This manual includes the information and procedures required to integrate each of the following instruments with a StakMax system: •...

  • Page 12: Conventions

    The StakMax software is integrated into the SoftMax Pro 5.1 (or later) ® software application. Some functions overlap between the SoftMax Pro and StakMax software applications; in these cases, this manual refers to the SoftMax Pro User Guide. ® SoftMax Pro User Guide ®...

  • Page 13: Chapter 1 Introduction

    ® ® software runs with the SoftMax Pro software that controls the ® SpectraMax microplate reader. This manual focuses on the StakMax software application only and refers to the SoftMax Pro User Guide for ® specific details on overlapping functions.
  • Page 14 Introduction 0112-0133 Rev B...

  • Page 15: Chapter 2 Installation And Setup Of Stakmax® System

    • SpectraMax M5 microplate reader • SpectraMax M5e microplate reader For information and procedures on how to install and set up the StakMax system for the SpectraMax L instrument, see Installation and Setup of SpectraMax® L instrument on page For information and procedures on how to install and set up the StakMax...

  • Page 16: Unpacking The System

    Unpacking the System The StakMax instrument is packed in a specially-designed carton. It consists of an inner box, which contains the StakMax instrument and all of the included parts, and an outer box for protection. The inner box is suspended under compression between a pair of trampoline-like lids (top and bottom) to protect the StakMax system from damage.
  • Page 17 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® Figure 2-1 Removing the foam from the input stack. 8. Gently pull the foam block down and to the left and remove it from the stacker arm. See Figure 2-2. Figure 2-2 Removing the foam from the stacker arm.

  • Page 18: Components

    Before installing the StakMax instrument, make sure the foam blocks have been removed from the input stack and the arm. 0112-0133 Rev B...

  • Page 19: Connecting The Baseplate

    5. Attach the power and USB cables by following the instructions in Connecting the Cables on page 6. If this is the first time connecting your StakMax, you must install the USB driver. See Installing the StakMax® Driver on page 7.
  • Page 20 To connect the baseplate 1. Place the StakMax instrument and the microplate reader on a hard, level surface (for example, a lab bench). 2. Place the baseplate on the left side of the StakMax instrument. Figure 2-4 for the correct position.
  • Page 21 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® 4. Align the baseplate with the mounting holes in the StakMax angle bracket and loosely thread the included Phillips-head screws and washers through the top baseplate and into the threads on the StakMax angle bracket. Do not tighten the screws until after the software installation and calibration processes are complete.

  • Page 22: Connecting The Cables

    WARNING! Do not operate the instrument in a cold room with a temperature below 10°C. Connecting the Cables The StakMax instrument must be connected to power with the power cable, and to the computer with a USB cable. 0112-0133 Rev B...
  • Page 23 1. Connect the instrument to the power supply by plugging the 1/4-inch metal connector into the DC input on the right side of the StakMax instrument. Figure 2-7 Connecting the power cord to the instrument. 2. Connect the power supply and the power cable by inserting one end of the cord into the power supply.
  • Page 24 Installation and Setup of StakMax® system Figure 2-8 Connecting the power supply to the cable. 3. Connect the power cable to the wall outlet, surge suppressor or UPS, and then wait three seconds. Note: Connecting through a surge suppressor or UPS is preferred.
  • Page 25 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® Figure 2-9 Pressing the Power/Reset button. 5. Insert one end of the USB cable into the StakMax instrument and the other end to the computer. See Figure 2-10. Figure 2-10 Connecting the USB cable.

  • Page 26: Installing The Stakmax® Driver

    To install the StakMax ® driver 1. After installing SoftMax Pro, turn on the StakMax instrument and connect the USB cable from the instrument to the computer. 2. In the Found New Hardware Wizard screen that appears, select No, not this time, and then click Next. See Figure 2-11.
  • Page 27 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® 3. Select Install from a list or specific location (Advanced) and then click Next. See Figure 2-12. Figure 2-12 Installing driver from a specific location. There are two ways to install the proper drivers. The first method is to install them from the SoftMax Pro CD-ROM.
  • Page 28 Installation and Setup of StakMax® system To install from the CD-ROM 1. Select Search for the best driver in these locations. Ensure that the Search removable media box is checked. See Figure 2-13. 2. Select Browse and locate the CD/DVD drive (usually the D: drive).
  • Page 29 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® 3. Open the SoftMax Pro CD, locate and select the StakMax Drivers folder, and then click OK to return to the original window. Figure 2-14 Selecting the StakMax Drivers folder. 4. Click Next and continue to...
  • Page 30 Installation and Setup of StakMax® system To install without the CD-ROM 1. After installing the SoftMax Pro software, turn on the StakMax instrument and connect the USB cable from the instrument to the computer. 2. In the Found New Hardware Wizard screen that appears, click Browse and navigate to the C:\Program Files\Molecular Devices\SoftMaxPro folder.
  • Page 31 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® Figure 2-16 Selecting the C drive. Figure 2-17 Selecting the Program Files folder. 0112-0133 Rev B...
  • Page 32 Installation and Setup of StakMax® system Figure 2-18 Selecting the Molecular Devices folder. Figure 2-19 Selecting the SoftMax Pro folder. 3. Click OK to return to the Found New Hardware Wizard window. 4. Continue to To finalize driver installation on page...
  • Page 33 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® To finalize driver installation 1. Click Continue Anyway. See Figure 2-20. Figure 2-20 Continuing with the hardware installation. 2. Click Finish to complete the driver installation. See Figure 2-21. Figure 2-21 Driver installation complete.

  • Page 34: Starting The Software Calibration

    SoftMax Pro software. Note: You must have SoftMax Pro software version 5.1 or later to operate the StakMax instrument. 2. Click the StakMax icon located on the menu bar. After a few seconds, the StakMax software interface appears. 3. Click Calibrate.
  • Page 35 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® 4. Follow the detailed on-screen instructions in the calibration wizard to complete the calibration. This process takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Make sure that you have the two-piece calibration alignment tool (Figure 2-22) and other included parts available before you start the calibration process.
  • Page 36 Installation and Setup of StakMax® system 5. Loosen the silver thumbscrew between the arm and the Input stack. See Figure 2-23. 6. Lift off the cover from the stacker arm and firmly tighten the baseplate screws. See Figure 2-23. Figure 2-23 Removing silver thumbscrew (top) and cover (bottom).
  • Page 37 Plate Handling System User Guide ® 7. After you finish tightening the baseplate screws, replace the cover and tighten the thumbscrew. See Figure 2-24 Figure 2-25. Figure 2-24 Securing the baseplate. Figure 2-25 The StakMax instrument secured to reader. ® 0112-0133 Rev B...

  • Page 38: Performing A Functional Check

    This repeats 10 times for a total of 50 plate load/unload cycles. If the plates are stacked properly, your StakMax system passed the functional check. 8. Click Done to close the Scripting window.

  • Page 39: Opening The Software

    2. Click the StakMax icon located on the menu bar. The StakMax software interface appears. Closing the Software To close the StakMax software, click the X located at the top-right corner of the window or the Done button located on the bottom-right corner of the window.

  • Page 40: Stopping The Stakmax® Instrument In An Emergency

    SoftMax Pro software. Setting Preferences You can set preferences in the SoftMax Pro and the StakMax software interface. The SoftMax Pro preferences primarily set how the data is handled and saved (for example, export format and AutoSave), while the StakMax preferences set the robotic functions (for example, barcoding and scripting).

  • Page 41: Save Data After Read (Autosave)

    Pro Preferences window. ® Save Data After Read (AutoSave) Before you can start a read in the StakMax software interface, you must enable and configure AutoSave in the SoftMax Pro software Preferences window. When AutoSave is enabled, the collected data is automatically saved to a user-defined location immediately after each plate read is completed.
  • Page 42 Installation and Setup of StakMax® system Figure 2-27 AutoSave error message. To activate and configure AutoSave 1. In the SoftMax Pro software, on the main menu, click File > Edit > Preferences. 2. To activate AutoSave, select the Save Data After Read check box.
  • Page 43 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® 4. In the Location section, click Assign. See Figure 2-28. Figure 2-28 Editing AutoSave settings. 0112-0133 Rev B...
  • Page 44 Installation and Setup of StakMax® system 5. Create a new folder where you want to save the run files (recommended) or select an existing folder. Figure 2-29 shows an example of a new folder named MDC Autosave folder. Figure 2-29 Selecting a folder for the AutoSave location.

  • Page 45: Naming Conventions For Autosave Files

    StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® The new autosave location appears in the Assigned Folder field. Figure 2-30. Figure 2-30 The assigned folder field. Naming Conventions for AutoSave Files All AutoSave files use the naming convention that is specified in the AutoSave settings.

  • Page 46: Autosave File Formats

    2 mm allen wrench for barcode screws (included) • 3 mm allen wrench for opening side panel if necessary (included) To install a barcode reader 1. Turn off the power to the StakMax instrument and the reader. 0112-0133 Rev B...
  • Page 47 Figure 2-31. Figure 2-31 Removing the front cover 3. To remove the left side panel (when looking at the front of the StakMax instrument), remove the Allen screws and pull the cover down. See Figure 2-32. Figure 2-32 Removing the left side panel.
  • Page 48 Installation and Setup of StakMax® system 5. Attach the cable on the reader to the connector protruding from the grey housing. See Figure 2-33. Figure 2-33 Attaching the cable to the barcode reader. 6. Close the panel, making sure that you do not pinch any wires.

  • Page 49: Chapter 3 Installation And Setup Of Spectramax® L Instrument

    Unpacking the System The StakMax instrument is packed in a specially-designed carton. It consists of an inner box, which contains the StakMax system and all of the included parts, and an outer box for protection. The inner box is suspended under compression between a pair of trampoline-like lids (top and bottom) to protect the StakMax instrument from damage.
  • Page 50 51, for a complete list of the included components. 6. Carefully remove the StakMax instrument from the box and place it on a flat surface. 7. Gently pull up the foam block at a slight angle and remove it from the input stack.

  • Page 51: Components

    8. Gently pull the foam block down and to the left and remove it from the stacker arm. See Figure 3-2. Figure 3-2 Removing foam from stacker arm. Components The StakMax instrument package contains the following components. 0112-0133 Rev B...

  • Page 52: Installing The Stakmax® Instrument

    To install the StakMax ® instrument 1. Unpack the StakMax system and make sure that all of the components listed in Components on page 51 are present. 0112-0133 Rev B...

  • Page 53: Connecting The Baseplate

    Baseplate on page 5. Attach the power and USB cables. See Connecting the Cables on page 6. If this is the first time connecting your StakMax instrument, you must install the USB driver. See Installing the StakMax® Driver on page 7.
  • Page 54 1. Place the StakMax instrument and the SpectraMax L plate reader on a hard, level surface (for example, a lab bench). 2. Place the baseplate on the left side of the StakMax instrument. 3. Align the mounting holes of the SpectraMax L baseplate with the two mounting holes in the back of the StakMax “L”...
  • Page 55 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® 4. Thread the included Phillips-head screws through the side of the baseplate and into the threads on the StakMax “L” bracket and then tighten the screws. See Figure 3-5. Figure 3-5 Attaching the SpectraMax L baseplate to the ®...
  • Page 56 Installation and Setup of SpectraMax® L instrument 5. Lift the right side of the reader and place the feet into the two mounting cups located on the baseplate. Make sure that the plate reader feet are completely seated in the mounting cups. See Figure 3-6.

  • Page 57: Connecting The Cables

    Plate Handling System User Guide ® Connecting the Cables You must connect the StakMax instrument to power with the power cable, and to the computer with a USB cable. To connect the cables 1. Connect the instrument to the power supply by plugging the 1/4 inch metal connector into the DC input on the right side of the StakMax instrument.
  • Page 58 Installation and Setup of SpectraMax® L instrument Figure 3-8 Connecting the power supply to the cable. 3. Connect the power cable to the wall outlet, surge suppressor, or UPS, and then wait three seconds. Note: Connecting through a surge suppressor or UPS is preferred. 4.
  • Page 59 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® Figure 3-9 Pressing the Power/Reset button. 0112-0133 Rev B...
  • Page 60 Installation and Setup of SpectraMax® L instrument 5. Insert one end of the USB cable into the StakMax instrument and the other end to the computer. See Figure 3-10. Figure 3-10 Connecting USB cable. Note: If you are connecting through a USB hub, use a powered USB hub.

  • Page 61: Installing The Stakmax® Driver

    To install the StakMax driver ® 1. After installing the SoftMax Pro software, turn on the StakMax instrument and connect the USB cable from the instrument to the computer. 2. On the Found New Hardware Wizard screen, select No, not this time and then click Next.
  • Page 62 Installation and Setup of SpectraMax® L instrument Figure 3-12 Installing the driver from a specific location. There are two ways to install the proper drivers. The first method is to install them from the SoftMax Pro CD-ROM, see To install from the CD-ROM on page 63.
  • Page 63 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® To install from the CD-ROM 1. In the Found New Hardware Wizard window, select Search for the best driver in these locations. Ensure that the Search removable media box is checked. 2. Select Browse and locate the CD/DVD drive (usually the D: drive).
  • Page 64 Installation and Setup of SpectraMax® L instrument 3. Open the SoftMax Pro v5.3 (or later) CD, locate and select the StakMax Drivers folder, and then click OK to return to the original window. See Figure 3-14. Figure 3-14 Selecting the StakMax Drivers folder.
  • Page 65 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® To install without the CD-ROM 1. In the Found New Hardware Wizard window, click Browse and navigate to the C:\Program Files\Molecular Devices\SoftMaxPro v.5.3 (or later) folder. See Figure 3-15 Figure 3-19. Figure 3-15 Locating the SoftMax Pro folder.
  • Page 66 Installation and Setup of SpectraMax® L instrument Figure 3-16 Selecting the C: drive. Figure 3-17 Selecting the Program Files folder. 0112-0133 Rev B...
  • Page 67 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® Figure 3-18 Selecting the Molecular Devices folder. Figure 3-19 Selecting the SoftMax Pro folder. 0112-0133 Rev B...
  • Page 68 Installation and Setup of SpectraMax® L instrument 2. Click OK to return to the Found New Hardware Wizard window. 3. Continue to To finalize the driver installation on page To finalize the driver installation 1. Click Continue Anyway. See Figure 3-20.

  • Page 69: Starting The Software

    Note: You must have SoftMax Pro software version 5.3 or later to operate the StakMax instrument with the SpectraMax L reader. 3. Click the StakMax icon located on the menu bar. After a few seconds, the StakMax software interface appears. The status message indicates when the StakMax control program has successfully connected to the StakMax system.

  • Page 70: Performing A Functional Check

    Installation and Setup of SpectraMax® L instrument 5. Click Load Plate on the StakMax interface to transfer a plate from the StakMax instrument to the SpectraMax L reader. 6. Press the Drawer button on the front of the SpectraMax L reader to eject the plate carriage.

  • Page 71: Getting Started

    2. Click the StakMax icon located on the menu bar. The StakMax software interface appears. Closing the Software To close the StakMax software, click the X located at the top-right corner of the window or the Done button located on the bottom-right corner of the window.

  • Page 72: Starting A Read

    ® In an emergency, press the Emergency Stop button (yellow button) in the main StakMax window or press the green Power/Reset button that is located on the front-left side of the instrument. Pressing either button immediately stops the StakMax instrument and reader.

  • Page 73: Setting Preferences

    Plate Handling System User Guide ® Setting Preferences You can set preferences in the SoftMax Pro and the StakMax software interface. The SoftMax Pro software preferences primarily set how the data is handled and saved (for example, export format and AutoSave), while the StakMax software preferences set the robotic functions (for example, barcoding and scripting).

  • Page 74: Save Data After Read (Autosave)

    ® Pro software Preferences window. Save Data After Read (AutoSave) Before you can start a reading in the StakMax software interface, you must enable and configure AutoSave in the SoftMax Pro software Preferences window. When AutoSave is enabled, the collected data is automatically saved to a user-defined location immediately after each plate read is completed.
  • Page 75 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® If AutoSave is not enabled, you cannot start a read and the following error message appears. See Figure 3-23. Figure 3-23 Autosave error message. To activate and configure AutoSave 1. In the SoftMax Pro software, select File > Edit > Preferences.
  • Page 76 Installation and Setup of SpectraMax® L instrument 4. In the Location field, click Assign. See Figure 3-24. Figure 3-24 Editing the AutoSave settings. 0112-0133 Rev B...
  • Page 77 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® 5. Create a new folder to save the run files (recommended) or select an existing folder. Figure 3-25 shows an example of a new folder named MDC Autosave folder. Figure 3-25 Selecting a folder for the AutoSave location.

  • Page 78: Naming Conventions For Autosave Files

    Installation and Setup of SpectraMax® L instrument The new autosave location displays in the Assigned Folder field. Figure 3-26. Figure 3-26 The assigned folder field. Naming Conventions for AutoSave Files All AutoSave files use the same naming convention as specified in the AutoSave settings.
  • Page 79 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® Note: If you are saving to a tab-delimited text file, you can select an option to append a plate to your file. You can append hundreds of plates to a file, but the time it takes to save the file increases as the file size increases.
  • Page 80 Installation and Setup of SpectraMax® L instrument 0112-0133 Rev B...

  • Page 81: Washer

    Unpacking the System The StakMax instrument is packed in a specially designed carton. It consists of an inner box that contains the StakMax system and all of the included parts, and an outer box for protection. The inner box is suspended under compression between a pair of trampoline-like lids (top and bottom) to protect the StakMax system from damage.

  • Page 82: Unpacking The Stakmax® Instrument

    Components on page 83, for a complete list of the included components. 6. Carefully remove the StakMax instrument from the box and place it on a flat surface. 7. Remove the foam block from the input stack by gently pulling it up at a slight angle.

  • Page 83: Components

    8. Remove the foam block from the stacker arm by gently pulling it down and to the left. See Figure 4-2. Figure 4-2 Removing foam from stacker arm. Components The StakMax instrument package contains the following components. 0112-0133 Rev B...

  • Page 84: Installing The Stakmax® Instrument

    Before installing the StakMax instrument, make sure the foam blocks have been removed from the input stack and the arm. 1. Unpack the StakMax system and make sure that all of the components listed in Components on page 83 are present.
  • Page 85 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® 3. Align the AquaMax baseplate with the L brackets on the StakMax instrument. Make sure that This side up is visible on the baseplate. See Figure 4-3. Figure 4-3 Aligning AquaMax ® baseplate to StakMax ®...
  • Page 86 See Figure 4-5. Figure 4-5 Placing washer positioning pins into the baseplate. 6. Confirm that the StakMax instrument is set up correctly. See Figure 4-6. Figure 4-6 Confirming correct physical set-up. 7. Locate the two communication ports on the left side of the back panel of the AquaMax washer.
  • Page 87 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® (included) to the StakMax serial port (standard serial DB9 connector) on the back panel. See Figure 4-7. Figure 4-7 Connecting StakMax ® serial cable to AquaMax ® washer. Note: The AquaMax instrument controls the StakMax operation using the serial cable.
  • Page 88 Figure 4-9 Connecting power to the StakMax ® instrument. 10. To reset and turn on the StakMax system, press the green button on the front, left side of the StakMax instrument. 11. To turn on the AquaMax washer, use the switch next to the power inlet on the back panel of the AquaMax instrument.

  • Page 89: Chapter 5 Operation

    ® Turning the StakMax Instrument On and Off ® The power button is located on the lower-front side of the StakMax instrument. The Power/Reset button operates as a Power On button, Emergency Interrupt, and Reset button. Figure 5-1 The StakMax Power/Reset button.

  • Page 90: Opening The Stakmax® Software Window

    Operation To turn the StakMax ® instrument on To turn the StakMax instrument on, plug in the power cord and press the green button. To turn the StakMax ® instrument off To turn the StakMax instrument off, unplug the power cord.
  • Page 91 Figure 5-2. Then, place the magazine in the stacker. See Figure 5-6. Figure 5-2 Loading the StakMax magazine from the top. ® To load a magazine from the bottom 1. Stack all of the microplates on the bench. 0112-0133 Rev B...
  • Page 92 Operation 2. Align the magazine over the stacked plates. See Figure 5-3. Figure 5-3 Aligning magazine over stacked plates. 3. Carefully lower the magazine over the stacked plates. See Figure 5-4. Figure 5-4 Loading the magazine from the bottom. 0112-0133 Rev B...
  • Page 93 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® 4. The magazine picks up all of the plates except the bottom plate. Figure 5-5. Figure 5-5 Magazine does not pick up last plate when loaded from the bottom. Note: Always stack one extra plate if you are loading the magazine from the bottom because the bottom plate is not picked up.

  • Page 94: Continual Feed

    Note: Use the single plate loading tool if you are not using a magazine to stack the microplates. You can use the StakMax instrument to manually feed up to 50 plates into the input or output stack. If you choose to read plates until empty, you can continuously feed plates into the StakMax instrument.

  • Page 95: Magazine Loading And Unloading Tool

    Magazine Loading and Unloading Tool The optional StakMax Magazine Loading and Unloading Tool assists in ® loading and unloading a group of microplates to and from a StakMax magazine. Use the Magazine Loading and Unloading tool if you: • want to load or unload a group of plates, without lifting plates from the top of the magazine.
  • Page 96 Operation To load plates into a StakMax magazine ® 1. Remove the Unload Plate Ring from the Plate Loading Base and set it aside. The Unload Plate Ring is not used for loading plates. 2. Place the stack of plates that you want to load onto the Plate Loading Base.
  • Page 97 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® 5. Gently press down on the top of the magazine until the black metal base is fully seated in the recessed channel of the Plate Loading Base. When the empty magazine is fully seated, the four (4) hooks at the four (4) corners at the bottom of the magazine are released to stop the plates from falling off the magazine.
  • Page 98 8. To store the tool, replace the Unload Plate Ring in the recessed channel of the Plate Loading Base. The Magazine Loading and Unloading Tool is ready to unload plates. To unload plates from a StakMax magazine ® 1. Place the Unload Plate Ring onto the Plate Loading Base and make sure it is securely seated in the base.
  • Page 99 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® 3. Carefully lower the loaded magazine over the top of the tool, aligning the corners of the black aluminium magazine base into the blue raised corners of the Unload Plate Ring. Figure 5-11 Loaded magazine positioned over tool...
  • Page 100 Operation 4. Place the loaded magazine on top of the tool, making sure the two spring clips on the Unload Plate Ring are securely clipped on the crossing bars on each side of the magazine. When the magazine is securely seated on the Unload Plate Ring, the four (4) hooks at the four (4) corners on the bottom of the magazine are retracted to allow the plates to slide out from the bottom of the magazine.
  • Page 101 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® 5. Carefully lift up the empty magazine and the Unload Plate Ring until you clear the plate stack. CAUTION! When removing the empty magazine and the Unload Plate Ring, do not touch the unsupported stack of plates.
  • Page 102 Operation 6. Place the empty magazine and the Unload Plate Ring in a stable location. Figure 5-14 Empty magazine and ring next to plates 0112-0133 Rev B...
  • Page 103 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® 7. Use your thumbs to unclip the Unload Plate Ring from the magazine by pushing the two spring clips on the Unload Plate Ring away from the crossing bars on the sides of the magazine.

  • Page 104: Single Plate Loading Tool

    ® This section describes the main elements of the StakMax software interface. You can use the StakMax software to manually control basic stacker functions, for example, starting and stopping plate reads, moving plates from the reader to the input or output stacks, and moving plates within the stacker.

  • Page 105: Start Read

    StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® Note: When processing plates, the StakMax software interface is operating the StakMax instrument as well as remote-controlling the SoftMax Pro software. We recommend that you do not perform data analysis or other operations in SoftMax Pro software until the process is complete. As with any robotic plate handling system, it is best to perform data analysis on a separate computer while running the robot.
  • Page 106 Operation Note: You must have the AutoSave feature turned ON to start a reading with the Start Read button. For instructions on how to turn on the AutoSave feature, see Save Data After Read (AutoSave) on page 41 After you click Start Read, the Read Plate window appears. See Figure 5- Figure 5-19 The Read Plate window.
  • Page 107 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® • If you want to save the data from each plate or set of plates to a different data file, select Open a New Protocol. For example, if you have 50 sample plates and the assigned protocol has one Plate section, the software opens 49 copies of the protocol and saves the data to 50 data files.
  • Page 108 Autosave” because AutoSave is required to start a plate read from the Read Plate window. Read: Click to start the reading. Cancel: Click to cancel the action and return to the main StakMax window. To start a reading 1. Turn on the StakMax system and reader instruments. See Turning the StakMax®...

  • Page 109: Stop Read

    9. Click Read. After the reading starts, the status is displayed in the main StakMax window next to Status. You can also click the Status Window button to view more details about the reading. Note: If you leave a plate in the reader and try to run a new plate, the system detects that a plate is present and moves the new plate back to the input stack.

  • Page 110: Emergency Stop

    Emergency Stop The Emergency Stop button immediately shuts down the entire system, including the StakMax system and the reader. After you click the Emergency Stop button, clear any object that is in the way, remove any plates that are in the drawer, and then click the Reset button in the main StakMax window.

  • Page 111: Demo

    StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® Demo The Demo button continuously moves plates to the instrument from the stacker and back, switching the plate source between the input and output stacks as they fill and empty. Demo mode is primarily used to demonstrate the plate movement and is generally not used under normal operation.

  • Page 112: Reset

    Note: In case of emergency, you can press the Power/Reset button on the front of the StakMax instrument to reset the entire system. Stacker Settings The Settings button is located on the bottom-left corner of the main 5-23.

  • Page 113: Barcoding

    StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® Figure 5-24 The StakMax Settings window. Barcoding Select the Use Barcode check box (see 5-24) in the StakMax Figure Settings window to enable barcode reading. Select Rename to overwrite the Plate section name with the barcode or select Append to add the barcode to the Plate section name.

  • Page 114: Append Date/Time

    The Calibrate button opens the calibration wizard. The calibration wizard provides detailed step-by-step instructions to calibrate the stacker. Perform calibration immediately after you connect the SpectraMax reader to the StakMax system. Note: The calibration process takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. 0112-0133 Rev B...

  • Page 115: Status Window

    To save information that is recorded in the Status window, select the text, copy (Ctrl+C) the text, and paste it (Ctrl+V) into Microsoft Word or a text editor such as NotePad or WordPad. Help The Help button opens the StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide. ® 0112-0133 Rev B...
  • Page 116 Operation 0112-0133 Rev B...

  • Page 117: Chapter 6 Scripting

    Scripting Scripting is an optional tool that can be used to automate a series of commands that control runs. There are two ways to create a script. You can edit and use one of the default scripts as a template or you can start with a blank document and create a new script.

  • Page 118: Script Editor

    ScriptingScript Editor Script Editor To open the script editor Click the Scripting button that is located in the middle section of the StakMax software interface. See Figure 6-1. ® Figure 6-1 The Scripting window. 0112-0133 Rev B...
  • Page 119 (bottom middle). See Figure 6-2. The commands are grouped into four different categories starting with the most basic StakMax commands. See the following section for a definition of each command. Figure 6-2 A new script editor document. 0112-0133 Rev B...

  • Page 120: Command Definitions

    ScriptingScript Editor Command Definitions All of the available commands are listed in the left column. These include StakMax commands, SoftMax Pro commands, Advanced SoftMax Pro ® commands, and Miscellaneous (Misc) scripting commands. StakMax Commands ® Reset: resets the stacker to the initial startup state/position.
  • Page 121 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® Start Read: starts an instrument reading. Stop Read: stops an instrument reading. Select Section: selects a section by name. Select Section Num: selects a section by number. Name Current Section: names the section that is currently selected.

  • Page 122: Advanced Commands

    ScriptingScript Editor Advanced Commands Click the right-facing arrow to access the list of advanced commands. See Figure 6-3. Figure 6-3 List of Advanced commands. Open Drawer: opens the instrument plate drawer. Close Drawer: closes the instrument plate drawer. Set Temperature: sets the instrument’s incubator temperature. Shake Plate: shakes the plate inside the reader.

  • Page 123: Misc Commands

    We recommend that you familiarize yourself with all of the script commands before you start to create a new script. To create a new script from a template 1. Click the Scripting button on the StakMax software interface to open the main Scripting window. See Figure 6-4.
  • Page 124 ScriptingScript Editor Figure 6-5 Verifying the file path and file name. 4. Verify that the File Path and File Name are correct. 5. Click Edit. 0112-0133 Rev B...

  • Page 125: Adding Commands

    StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® The command script displays in the middle section of the screen. Figure 6-6. Figure 6-6 The Script editor screen. Adding Commands To add a command to a script 1. Select the command above where you want to insert the new command.
  • Page 126 ScriptingScript Editor 2. Select the command. 3. The command name appears in the Command Edit field. 4. Click Add. 1. New command is inserted below selected command. Figure 6-7 Adding a new command to a script. 3. Click Add. 0112-0133 Rev B...
  • Page 127 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® The new command is inserted after the selected command. In the example script, notice that the Record Barcode command was inserted after the Select Next Plate Section command. See Figure 6-8. Figure 6-8 Command script after a new command is inserted.

  • Page 128: Removing Commands

    ScriptingScript Editor Removing Commands To remove a command 1. Select the command name in the Command Script section of the screen. See Figure 6-9. Figure 6-9 Selecting a command to remove. 2. Click Remove. Note: Click the Remove All button only if you want to remove the entire command script.
  • Page 129 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® 3. If you have the Allow Edit Prompting feature turned on, click OK to verify that you want to remove the command. Click Cancel to interrupt and stop the remove command process. Figure 6-10 The Edit prompting dialog box.
  • Page 130 ScriptingScript Editor Figure 6-11, the Record Barcode command was removed from the script. Figure 6-11 Command script after selected command was removed. 4. Repeat Step 1 through Step 3 until all intended commands have been removed. 5. If you do not want to make any further changes to the command script, go to Saving Scripts on page 134.

  • Page 131: Changing The Order Of Commands

    StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® Changing the Order of Commands To change the order of a command 1. Select the command that you want to move and drag it to the new position in the command script. When you start to drag the command, a horizontal bar appears to help guide you.
  • Page 132 ScriptingScript Editor 2. Verify that the command was moved to the new position in the script. See Figure 6-13. Figure 6-13 Command script after a command is moved. 3. Repeat Step 1 Step 2, as necessary. 4. When you have finished making changes, go to Saving Scripts on page 134.

  • Page 133: Checking The Syntax

    StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® Checking the Syntax The Check Syntax button runs a script and looks for invalid commands. An invalid command is defined as having an unknown or missing required parameter. If a command is created using the Add button, it is guaranteed to be valid.

  • Page 134: Saving Scripts

    2. In the File name field, type a unique file name. See Figure 6-15. Note: The StakMax software defaults to the StakMax Scripts folder to save new scripts. To change the destination folder, click on the downward facing arrow next to the Save In field.

  • Page 135: Printing Scripts

    StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® Printing Scripts To print a script 1. At the bottom of the script window, click Print. 2. Select the appropriate printer from the list. 3. Click OK. Using Repeats Use the Begin/End Repeat commands to repeatedly execute a set of commands.
  • Page 136 ScriptingScript Editor Note: Nesting of repeat blocks is not supported. Also, syntax checking does not detect an unpaired Begin Repeat or End Repeat as an error because the syntax check validates only individual commands. 0112-0133 Rev B...

  • Page 137: Chapter 7 Maintenance

    If you have any questions regarding your StakMax instrument, contact the Molecular Devices Technical Support group at +1-800-635-5577 (U.S. customers only). For customers outside of the U.S., contact your local sales representative.
  • Page 138 WARNING! All maintenance procedures described in this manual can be safely performed by qualified personnel. Maintenance not covered in this manual should be performed only by Molecular Devices representatives. WARNING! SHOCK HAZARD: Removal of protective covers that are marked with the High Voltage warning symbol can result in a safety hazard.

  • Page 139: Chapter 8 Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting The following error messages appear in the Status window. For more information, Status Window on page 115. Table 8-1 Troubleshooting table Error Error Message Description Solution Code Error: A problem was Homing routine was Press the Power/Reset encountered during not able to find a state button.
  • Page 140 Troubleshooting Table 8-1 Troubleshooting table Error Error Message Description Solution Code Error: A problem Jaws snapped shut Check for object occurred during a after opening. blocking movement motion. and then re-calibrate. Error: A Problem EPROM space is Call Molecular occurred with the larger than portion of Devices Technical EPROM.

  • Page 141: Appendix A System Diagrams And Specifications

    SBS-standard 96-well and 384-well plates with plate height of 12 mm to 16 mm • Some 96-well “strip” plates (For more information, contact your Molecular Devices sales representative or technical support.) • Barcode libraries: Interleaved 2 of 5, Code128, EAN 128, Code...
  • Page 142 [ ] = metric 20 plate stack = 21.27 inches (540.3 mm) No [ ] = imperial 40 plate stack = 31.20 inches (792.5 mm) 50 plate stack = 40.40 inches(1026.2 mm) Figure A-1 The StakMax instrument dimensions. ® 0112-0133 Rev B...
  • Page 143 20 plate stack = 21.27 inches (540.3 mm) No [ ] = imperial 40 plate stack = 31.20 inches (792.5 mm) 50 plate stack = 40.40 inches (1026.2 mm) Figure A-2 The SpectraMax reader and StakMax instrument ® ® dimensions.
  • Page 144 System Diagrams and Specifications Figure A-3 The SpectraMax L reader dimensions. ® 0112-0133 Rev B...
  • Page 145 StakMax Plate Handling System User Guide ® Figure A-4 The AquaMax microplate washer dimensions. ® 0112-0133 Rev B...
  • Page 146 System Diagrams and Specifications 0112-0133 Rev B...

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