Molecular Devices QPix 450 User Manual
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Molecular Devices QPix 450 User Manual

Colony picking system stackers
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QPix™ Colony Picking System Stackers
User Guide
 
March 2014
www.moleculardevices.com

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Summary of Contents for Molecular Devices QPix 450

  • Page 1 QPix™ Colony Picking System Stackers User Guide   March 2014 www.moleculardevices.com...

  • Page 2: Legal Notices

    For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures. The trademarks mentioned herein are the property of Molecular Devices, LLC or their respective owners. These trademarks may not be used in any type of promotion or advertising without the prior written permission of Molecular Devices, LLC.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents Legal Notices Safety Information Warnings, Cautions, Notes, and Tips Symbols on Instrument Labels Before Operating the Instrument Electrical Safety Ultraviolet (UV) Light Safety External or Implanted Medical Device Safety Heat and Burn Safety Chemical and Biological Safety Moving Parts Safety Cleaning and Maintenance Safety Chapter 1: Stackers Overview Chapter 2: Setting Up Stacker Cassettes...
  • Page 4 QPix Stacker User Guide 2014March...

  • Page 5: Safety Information

    When warnings and cautions are displayed in this guide, be careful to follow the specific safety information related to them. The following user-attention statements can be displayed in the text of Molecular Devices user documentation. Each statement implies a particular level of observation or...

  • Page 6: Symbols On Instrument Labels

    For products under the requirement of the WEEE directive, please contact your dealer or local Molecular Devices office for the procedures to facilitate the proper collection, treatment, recovery, recycling, and safe disposal of the device.

  • Page 7: Electrical Safety

    Do not remove the fixed covers, as there are no user serviceable parts inside. All electrical work should be referred to Molecular Devices approved service personnel. In the event of a liquid spillage into the main cavity of the instrument, disconnect the mains power supply before trying to clean up.

  • Page 8: Ultraviolet (Uv) Light Safety

    QPix Stacker User Guide Ultraviolet (UV) Light Safety The door is made from acrylic, and so prevents UV light from passing through during operation. As a safety measure, if the door is open, an electromagnetic switch prevents the instrument from running. This switch should never be tampered with, as it serves two purposes: It prevents the motors from running to reduce the potential of physical damage.

  • Page 9: Chemical And Biological Safety

    Safety Information Chemical and Biological Safety Normal operation of the instrument can involve the use of materials that are toxic, flammable, or otherwise biologically harmful. When using such materials, observe the following precautions: Handle infectious samples based on good laboratory procedures and methods to prevent the spread of disease.

  • Page 10: Moving Parts Safety

    QPix Stacker User Guide Moving Parts Safety To prevent injury due to moving parts, observe the following: Never try to exchange labware, reagents, or tools while the instrument is operating. Never try to physically restrict the moving components of the instrument. Keep the interior of the instrument clear to prevent obstruction of the movement.

  • Page 11: Cleaning And Maintenance Safety

    Review the Chemical and Biological Safety information contained in this user guide. Do only the maintenance described in this guide. Maintenance procedures other than those specified in this guide can be done only by Molecular Devices service engineers. See Obtaining Support on page WARNING! BIOHAZARD.
  • Page 12 QPix Stacker User Guide 2014March...

  • Page 13: Chapter 1: Stackers Overview

    Chapter 1: Stackers Overview A stacker lane and cassettes enable the QPix  450 or 460 Instrument to run processes with multiple microplates. Up to three stacker lanes can be built into the system. The stacker can be used in every process. The stacker cassettes are tall metal cases designed to hold multiple microplates and lid pairs.
  • Page 14 QPix Stacker User Guide Table 1-1: External View of Two Stacker Lanes with Stacker Lane Cassettes (continued) Item Description Silver-bottomed cassette for standard and shallow microplates in standard lanes Destination cassette locking knob Source cassette locking knob Red reset button light Two types of stacker cassettes are available: Standard Cassettes—identified by a silver base, used for standard and shallow microplates in standard lanes.
  • Page 15 Note: Not all brands and types of microplates and lid pairs are compatible with the stacker even if they generally conform to the lane type. Contact Molecular Devices Technical Support for compatibility details if you need to change your configuration.
  • Page 16 QPix Stacker User Guide 2014March...

  • Page 17: Chapter 2: Setting Up Stacker Cassettes

    Chapter 2: Setting Up Stacker Cassettes There are two removable stacking cassettes per stacker lane, one for the unprocessed stack of source microplate and lid pairs, and one destination to collect the processed microplate and lid pair stack. See Stackers Overview on page 13 for more details.
  • Page 18 QPix Stacker User Guide Figure 2-1: Source Cassette Locked and Unlocked Item Description Source cassette locking knob Source cassette unlocked Source cassette locked 3. Lift the stacker cassette up and off the source cassette base, and set it on a secure surface low enough to allow you to load it with a stack of prepared microplates and lid pairs.
  • Page 19 Chapter 2: Setting Up Stacker Cassettes Figure 2-3: Stacker Cassette Loaded 5. Verify, and adjust as needed, the proper stack alignment in your cassette by running your fingers up the front and the back of the stack. The stack should feel smooth and should appear level.
  • Page 20 QPix Stacker User Guide If the red light is on, it means there is a system error. Look for possible obstructions in the stacker and lane and remove them, then press the reset button and wait for the reset process to end. The red light turns off. 7.

  • Page 21: Installing The Destination Stacker Cassette

    Chapter 2: Setting Up Stacker Cassettes 12. Verify that the destination cassette is locked by trying to lift the cassette up out of the base. 13. After installing the stacker cassettes, you can run the Restacker utility to make sure that your set up is correct.
  • Page 22 QPix Stacker User Guide Figure 2-8: Destination Cassette Locking Knob in the Locked Position After Installing Destination Cassette 4. Verify that the destination cassette is locked by trying to lift the cassette up out of the base. 2014March...

  • Page 23: X3533 Stacking And Unstacking Tool

    Chapter 2: Setting Up Stacker Cassettes X3533 Stacking and Unstacking Tool The X3533 Stacking and Unstacking Tool is an optional, but recommended jig, for safely loading and unloading microplates into and out of stacker cassettes because it is a stable platform of reasonable height for supporting microplate stacks.
  • Page 24 QPix Stacker User Guide Loading the Source Stacker Cassette Using the X3533 Tool The X3533 tool is a recommended jig for safely loading microplates into a stacker cassette because it is a stable platform for supporting a microplate stack at a practical height. To load microplates into a source stacker cassette using the X3533 tool: 1.
  • Page 25 Chapter 2: Setting Up Stacker Cassettes Figure 2-11: Short Stack of Microplate and Lid Pairs on the X3533 Platform 3. Remove one of the support pins from the jig. 4. With one hand securing the top of the stack, slide the cassette up to the nearest support pin hole that enables the cassette to enclose the stack without going too far over, put the pin in the hole, and let the cassette rest on the pin.
  • Page 26 QPix Stacker User Guide Figure 2-13: Adding to the Stack 6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you have loaded your cassette. 7. Using two hands, carefully lift the loaded cassette off of the X3533 jig and place it on a stable, level surface.
  • Page 27 Chapter 2: Setting Up Stacker Cassettes Figure 2-15: Check Stack Alignment CAUTION! Stack misalignment can cause stacker errors during procedures. 9. Using two hands, lift the filled cassette and install it onto the source stacker cassette base on the instrument. See Loading the Source Stacker Cassette on page 2014March...
  • Page 28 QPix Stacker User Guide 2014March...

  • Page 29: Chapter 3: Finishing Stacker Cassette Usage

    Chapter 3: Finishing Stacker Cassette Usage At the end of a process, the destination stacker cassette must be manually unloaded off of the instrument. See Unloading the Destination Stacker Cassette on page When the instrument is not being used, keep the cassettes on the stacker bases rather than elsewhere off of the instrument.
  • Page 30 QPix Stacker User Guide Figure 3-2: Destination Cassette Ready for Unloading 3. Using two hands, carefully lift a short stack of microplate and lid pairs out of the top of the cassette and set them carefully aside. To complete the removal, you may need to support and reorient the stack on the top of the cassette while you reposition your hands.

  • Page 31: Unloading The Destination Stacker Cassette Using The X3533 Tool

    Chapter 3: Finishing Stacker Cassette Usage Unloading the Destination Stacker Cassette Using the X3533 Tool The X3533 tool is a recommended jig for safely unloading microplates from a stacker cassette because it is a stable platform for supporting a microplate stack at a practical height. To unload the destination stacker cassette using the X3533 tool: 1.
  • Page 32 QPix Stacker User Guide Figure 3-6: Unload Unenclosed Microplate and Lid Pairs 5. Hold the cassette and remove the support pin. Figure 3-7: Hold Cassette and Move Support Pin 6. Slide the cassette down the jig to the next hole exposing a short stack. 2014March...
  • Page 33 Chapter 3: Finishing Stacker Cassette Usage Figure 3-8: Unload Unenclosed Microplate and Lid Pairs 7. Remove and set aside the stack beyond the cassette enclosure. 8. Repeat steps 5 through 7 until the cassette is empty. 9. Take the cassette off of the X3533 jig and place it back onto the destination stacker cassette base on the instrument.
  • Page 34 QPix Stacker User Guide 2014March...

  • Page 35: Chapter 4: Maintenance And Troubleshooting

    Chapter 4: Maintenance and Troubleshooting Do only the maintenance described in this guide. Maintenance procedures other than those specified in this guide can be done only by Molecular Devices service engineers. See Obtaining Support on page Before operating the instrument or performing maintenance operations, make sure that you are familiar with the safety information in this guide.

  • Page 36: Testing The Stackers

    QPix Stacker User Guide Testing the Stackers The Restacker process tests that microplates successfully travel along the lanes from their source cassette and are restacked in their destination cassettes. 1. From the Navigation window under Utility Processes, double-click the Instrument Utilities icon.

  • Page 37: Troubleshooting

    Chapter 4: Maintenance and Troubleshooting Troubleshooting This section describes some common problems that can occur and possible solutions. Typically, crash recovery involves some form of the following procedure: 1. An error is identified in the software or the instrument stops. 2.

  • Page 38: Obtaining Support

    QPix Stacker User Guide If the stacker failure continues after resetting the lane, contact Molecular Devices Technical Support. Assuming the correct, undamaged, microplate and lid pairs are properly aligned and used correctly in the correct cassettes, your stacker lane may need sensor replacements or other adjustments that require a service technician.
  • Page 39 China (Hong Kong) of worldwide distributors. FOR RESEARCH ONLY. NOT FOR USE IN DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES. The trademarks men oned herein are the property of Molecular Devices, LLC or their respec ve owners. Patents: h p://www.moleculardevices.com/productpatents/ ©2014 Molecular Devices, LLC. All rights reserved.

This manual is also suitable for:

Qpix 460

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