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Disclaimer • The Pipette Accuracy Tester ATMOS is designed for the specific use of testing and calibrating air displacement laboratory pipette and no other use is recommended. • The user must read and understand this manual before operation • This instrument creates items that should only be used in a laboratory environment. • Do not open or attempt to repair the instrument without expressed and explicit instructions from UniPix. • Don't use the instrument in an atmosphere with a danger of explosion. • Do not allow unauthorized and or untrained operatives to use this device. • Any misuse will be the sole responsibility of the user/owner and UniPix assumes no implied or inferred liability for direct or consequential damages from this instrument if it is operated or used in any way other than for which it is designed. Starting ATMOS The UniPix Atmos Pipette Accuracy Tester is an instrument for precise measurement air displacement pipette, without need of liquid. It is based on comparison with a calibrated internal reference cavity in the instrument. It also measures the leak rate of pipettes.
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Pipette size selection panel Select the pipette size you are testing: Note: The accuracy of P5 and P1 testing is not guaranteed with ATMOS 1000 instrument. Another instrument (ATMOS Nano is designed for pipettes below P10) Main panel After pipette selection, or after measurements, you will see the main panel. From this panel, you can reach the following functions: • The GO button will start the measurement procedure. • The Pipette size button allows you to select a new pipette model • The Pipette ID button allows to enter a numeric ID that will be stored with the measured data and printed (if printer is activated) • The Volume button allows the selection of sub-volumes of the pipette in the case of variable volume pipettes. • The Settings can be reached by pressing on the battery symbol. UniPix Atmos ATMOS 1000 Operation manual B_v1 page 3/8...
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Measurement Insert the pipette tip in the center of the tip port of the instrument. Hold the pipette vertical and firmly press the tip into the port. When the tip is well inserted on the port, press de GO button, without moving the pipette. 1. Press on the pipette piston, while firmly keeping the tip inserted in the port. The displacement of the has to be done in about 1 to 2 seconds. Don't press thee piston beyond the first stop 2. The progress bar at the bottom indicates that the instrument is measuring. The pipette and the piston should not move during the measurement. 3. When release display appears, move the piston up again, without removing the pipette form the port. UniPix Atmos ATMOS 1000 Operation manual B_v1 page 4/8...
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Results panel The AV button appears after 3 measurements. Usually, 3 measurements are enough to get a good estimate of pipette performance. The reasons for bad reading can be: • Bad insertion of the tip into the port • User not following instructions during the calibration process • A totally nonfunctional pipette • A very leaky pipette or tip connection (leaks above 1% are not acceptable) Statistics panel The SAVE button will store the measurement series into the ATMOS memory. The data can be later downloaded via USB port, using the ReadAtmos program. The RESTART button will go back to main panel without saving the data. The pipette is declared OK if the systematic error is within the tolerances of the ISO 8655-2 for fixed volume pipettes. UniPix Atmos ATMOS 1000 Operation manual B_v1 page 5/8...
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P20 ± 0.2 µl ± 0.1 µl (a) Expressed as the deviation of the mean of a tenfold measurement from selected volume (b) Standard deviation expressed as the coefficient of variation of a tenfold measurement Notes about calibration: After moving ATMOS or if you bring pipettes from another room, wait 5 minutes before making the calibration. The system is sensitive to quick temperature changes. ATMOS in compensated for temperature. The calibration values correspond to the equivalent gravimetric measurements at 20°C . III. ATMOS is optimized for standard conical tips. If you perform gravimetry measurements with long tip or other special shape, the values related to ATMOS are no longer as accurate. Printer (optional) • Turn the printer ON before turning ATMOS ON • When the printer is connected, the message "ATMOS" is printed on the paper When using the printer, the button PRINT appears on the statistics panel. Pressing PRINT also save the data in ATMOS memory Changing the paper: • Open the lid • Place a 58mm thermal paper roll in the right orientation UniPix Atmos ATMOS 1000 Operation manual B_v1 page 6/8...
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Interfacing ATMOS ATMOS was conceived to allow transfer of the captured results to any computer (Window, Mac, Linux) using the appropriate software. ATMOS USB is connected to the industry standard CP2102 from Silicon labs. Connection is read as a serial port and communication is done at 115200 bauds using the standard ASCII code. Commands are sent as a single ASCII character and will be interpreted by the ATMOS internal parser. Upon reception of a meaningful command the device will issue a reply followed by <CR/LF> Command summary: The first set of commands is for downloading measurement data from Atmos : Atmos sends a string of characters listing all measurements data stored in the memory Erase all data stored in ATMOS memory Help command: this will send the list of all available commands This set of commands is for remote controlling Atmos for operation in a robotic platform : After receiving this command, Atmos will start a calibration measurement sequence with the stored sequence parameters. The sequence parameters can be changed with the commands below. Enter the calibration mode. Soon after issuing the “c” command, Atmos will send the character “<” indicating that it is ready to read the pressure increase. The calibration process takes place and when completed Atmos send the character “>” indicating that the pressure can be released. After receiving this command, Atmos will read a string of character terminated by <CR/LF> used to set the timing of the calibration sequence (values should be between 2-10) Set the nominal displacement volume (in microliters) that is planned to be tested. Enter a valid integer followed by <CR/LF> After receiving this command, Atmos will read a string of character terminated by <CR/LF> used for the identification number (max. 8 digits) of the pipette to be calibrated UniPix Atmos ATMOS 1000 Operation manual B_v1 page 7/8...
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Dirty of damage tip port Clean or replace tip port joint (no liquid !) Very bad pipette Try another pipette Warranty UniPix shall not be retained liable for any consequences of improper handling, use, servicing, operating or unauthorized repairs of the instrument or the consequences of normal wear and tear as well as the failure to follow the instructions of the operating manual. UniPix shall not liable for damage resulting from any actions other than those described in the operating manual or following the use of non-original replacement parts. Disposal Storage batteries and electronic devices must be disposed of separately from household trash (mixed municipal waste) at the end of their service life.
This manual is also suitable for:
Atmos multi p20Atmos multi p100Atmos multi p200Atmos multi p1000
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