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Molecular Devices QPix 420 User Manual

Microbial colony picking system
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QPix 420
Microbial Colony Picking System
User Guide
5031496 N
June 2024

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  • Page 1 QPix 420 Microbial Colony Picking System User Guide 5031496 N June 2024...
  • Page 2 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

    Chemical and Biological Safety Moving Parts Safety Heat and Burn Safety Cleaning and Maintenance Chapter 1: Introduction Functionality of the QPix 420 System Chapter 2: QPix 420 System Instrument Overview Front Panel Controls and Display Instrument Connections Compressed Air Supply Using Barcodes Computer System Requirements Chapter 3: QPix Microbial Colony Picking System Software Overview...
  • Page 4 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Creating and Editing Sanitise Profiles Chapter 6: Picking Processes Creating and Editing Picking Processes Running Picking Processes Chapter 7: Blue-White Picking Processes Creating and Editing Blue-White Picking Processes Running Blue-White Picking Processes Chapter 8: Zone of Inhibition Detection Picking Processes...
  • Page 5 Adding Annotations to Routines, Receptacles, and Locations Exporting Data and Settings Working With Plate Properties Viewing Receptacle Location Maps Working With Sample Trails Chapter 17: Maintenance Doing Preventive Maintenance Cleaning the Instrument Testing the Pins Aligning the Camera Replacing Fuses Draining the Compressor Moving the Instrument Adding a New User to the SQL Server Database...
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  • Page 7: 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 amount of observation or recommended...

  • Page 8: Symbols On The Instrument

    For products under the requirement of the WEEE directive, 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 9: Before Operating The Instrument

    Electrical Safety To prevent electrically related injuries and property damage, inspect all electrical equipment before use and immediately report all electrical deficiencies. Contact Molecular Devices Technical Support to service equipment that requires the removal of covers or panels. WARNING! HIGH VOLTAGE.

  • Page 10: Magnet Safety

    QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Magnet Safety Persons with external or implanted medical devices need to evaluate the risks related to these devices before entering an area where the instrument is in use. Keep magnetic storage devices or strips, such as hard drives and credit cards, away from the instrument.

  • Page 11: Moving Parts Safety

    Safety Information 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. The motors use high-powered magnets.

  • Page 12: Cleaning And Maintenance

    Unplug the instrument if there is a fluid spill in the instrument and contact Technical Support. Perform only the maintenance tasks described in this guide. Contact a Molecular Devices service engineer to inspect and perform a preventive maintenance service on the instrument each year.

  • Page 13: Chapter 1: Introduction

    For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures. Functionality of the QPix 420 System The QPix 420 system is part of the QPix 400 series. The QPix 420 system offers a range of features to accommodate various requirements for picking of microbial colonies including multiple imaging modes, organism-specific pins, agar height sensor, and specific algorithms to detect variable biological samples.
  • Page 14 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Picking Microbial Colonies The QPix 420 system can automatically pick more than 3000 colonies per hour. This is done with an integrated vision, detection, and analysis hardware and software system and a 96-pin head assembly, all custom designed by Molecular Devices.

  • Page 15: Chapter 2: Qpix 420 System Instrument Overview

    Chapter 2: QPix 420 System Instrument Overview The QPix 420 Microbial Colony Picking System is constructed within a welded steel framework. Before you operate the instrument or perform maintenance operations, make sure you are familiar with the safety information in this guide. See Safety Information on page The instrument door automatically locks whenever you run a process.

  • Page 16: Front Panel Controls And Display

    QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Front Panel Controls and Display Front Panel Controls and Display Item Description 1  LCD indicator panel 2  START button 3  STOP button 4  Emergency Stop button 5  Power is on 6  Air pressure is low 7 ...

  • Page 17: Instrument Connections

    Chapter 2: QPix 420 System Instrument Overview Instrument Connections The power, data, and compressed air connections are on the right side of the instrument. Connection Ports and Fuses Item Description 1  Power Inlet: Instrument Mains 2  Power Outlets: Computer and Monitor 3 ...

  • Page 18: Compressed Air Supply

    QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Compressed Air Supply Compressed air is required for the picking movement of the picking pins. Laboratories with built-in compressed air systems can connect directly to the filter-regulator inlet on the side of the QPix instrument. Alternatively, you can connect an optional oil-free compressed air unit that draws air from the local environment and delivers it to the instrument through the filter-regulator inlet.

  • Page 19: Computer System Requirements

    Chapter 2: QPix 420 System Instrument Overview Computer System Requirements The QPix Microbial Colony Picking System Software version 2.7.3 and higher requires the following computer specifications: Minimum Computer System Requirements Item Description Operating System Windows 11 Windows 10, 64-bit Windows 7, 32-bit Memory 8 GB RAM Data Connection 10/100 Ethernet port...
  • Page 20 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide 5031496 N...

  • Page 21: Chapter 3: Qpix Microbial Colony Picking System Software Overview

    Chapter 3: QPix Microbial Colony Picking System Software Overview The QPix® Microbial Colony Picking System Software controls the QPix 420 Microbial Colony Picking System. To start the software, from the computer desktop, double-click the QPix Microbial Colony Picking System Software icon.

  • Page 22: Menu Options

    QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Menu Options The menu options on the Navigation page depend on the view and selections on the page. File Menu Open Process: Displays the Open dialog where you select and open a saved process file.

  • Page 23: New Process Options

    Chapter 3: QPix Microbial Colony Picking System Software Overview New Process Options The New Process tab on the Navigation page provides options to create and manage processes and system maintenance. The processes depend on the system licenses. Gridding Processes Gridding: Deposits liquid samples from one or more source plates to one or more destination surfaces using either agar filled QTrays or filters.
  • Page 24 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide QPix Utility Processes Manage Sanitise Profiles: Sets up the Sanitise profiles that are required by various experimental needs. You must create at least of one Sanitise profile before you can do a picking routine. See...

  • Page 25: Integrating Qpix Microbial Colony Picking System Software With Qpix Insights Software

    Chapter 3: QPix Microbial Colony Picking System Software Overview Integrating QPix Microbial Colony Picking System Software With QPix Insights Software When you use the QPix Microbial Colony Picking System Software with the QPix® Insights Software, you must configure the QPix Microbial Colony Picking System Software to integrate the two software applications.
  • Page 26 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide 5. Click Add to display the Create Verb dialog. 6. Click the Verb Type drop-down and select Genetix.Fusion.Modules.QPixSeries.QPixOutputVerb. 7. In the Name field, enter QPixOutput. Note: QPixOutput is case sensitive. 8. Click OK to display the Verbs dialog.

  • Page 27: Chapter 4: Starting And Setting Up The Instrument

    Chapter 4: Starting and Setting Up the Instrument The QPix 420 Microbial Colony Picking System must be located in a well-ventilated area. The instrument is installed by approved personnel with the software pre-installed on the system computer. See Technical Specifications on page 213.
  • Page 28 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Every time you use the instrument, the three axes sequentially run through their Initialize drives routine. This allows the drives to find their respective home positions. The system must complete this routine without interference to ensure that there is no damage to the instrument or its auxiliary equipment.

  • Page 29: Preparing To Run Processes

    Chapter 4: Starting and Setting Up the Instrument Preparing to Run Processes You should do regular and thorough cleaning and maintenance of the QPix 420 instrument to ensure that it functions correctly. See Maintenance on page 189. Before you run a process: 1.

  • Page 30: Changing The Head

    QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Changing the Head The head is housed in an actuator system that permits easy exchange and set-up of the head. Although it is possible to manually move the actuator assembly, you should use the software to safely move the actuator into position to remove or install the head.
  • Page 31 Chapter 4: Starting and Setting Up the Instrument Removing the Head To remove the head: 1. Unscrew and remove the thumbscrew and washer on the left that secures the head to the actuator assembly. 2. Grab the handle on the right and slide the head out of the actuator. 3.
  • Page 32 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide 5031496 N...

  • Page 33: Chapter 5: Sanitizing The Instrument Interior

    Chapter 5: Sanitizing the Instrument Interior Before you start a new process, You should manually clean the QPix 420 Microbial Colony Picking System interior. See Cleaning the Instrument on page 190. The Sanitise process uses a pre-defined Sanitise profile. You can create new Sanitise profiles and edit existing profiles to meet the needs of your applications.

  • Page 34: Running Uv Sanitise Processes

    QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Running UV Sanitise Processes The UV Sanitise process uses ultra-violet light to sanitize the instrument interior. Before you run a UV Sanitise process, you should manually clean the instrument interior. To run the UV Sanitise process: 1.

  • Page 35: Creating And Editing Sanitise Profiles

    Chapter 5: Sanitizing the Instrument Interior Creating and Editing Sanitise Profiles The QPix 420Microbial Colony Picking System provides a default Sanitise profile. You should edit the default profile to suit your needs. Sanitise profiles consist of two types of wash cycles: Multi Stage and Single Stage. Wash cycles can contain one or more wash-bath steps.
  • Page 36 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Creating Sanitise Profiles Use the Manage Sanitise Profiles page to create, edit, or delete Sanitise profiles. To create a new Sanitise profile: 1. On the Navigation page under Utility Processes, double-click Manage Sanitise Profiles to display the Manage Sanitise Profiles page.
  • Page 37 Chapter 5: Sanitizing the Instrument Interior Editing Sanitise Profiles To edit a Sanitise profile: 1. On the Navigation page under Utility Processes, double-click Manage Sanitise Profiles to display the Manage Sanitise Profiles page. 2. In the Profiles table, select the profile to edit. If the profile is a Single Stage profile, the Stages list displays First and Main Wash Cycle.
  • Page 38 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide 3. In the Stages list, select the wash stage to edit and click Edit. 4. In the Steps area: Click Add to add a new wash-bath step to the end of the list.

  • Page 39: Chapter 6: Picking Processes

    Chapter 6: Picking Processes The QPix 420 Microbial Colony Picking System can pick colonies from receptacles using either standard picking or regional picking. You can set up control wells for the destination plates before you run a picking process. The following options are available on the Navigation page under Picking Processes: Picking: Picks colonies from receptacles using the standard process described in this chapter.

  • Page 40: Creating And Editing Picking Processes

    QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Creating and Editing Picking Processes The procedures to create and edit standard or regional picking processes are very similar. The regional picking process has more options to define the regions for picking. If this is the first picking process, you must edit or create a Sanitise profile to use with the picking process.
  • Page 41 Chapter 6: Picking Processes Importing and Exporting Picking Routines The Select Routine list displays the routines that match the type of routine you are creating. For example, a white light and fluorescent imaging routine is not included in the Select Routine list if you are creating a White Light only routine.
  • Page 42 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Using a Barcode Reader Note: You should always use barcodes for accurate data tracking. To use a barcode reader: 1. Select the Use Barcode Reader checkbox to scan source and destination receptacles for barcodes.
  • Page 43 Chapter 6: Picking Processes Random Identifiers To have the software generate random identifiers: 1. Clear the Use Barcode Reader checkbox. 2. Select the Generate Random Barcodes checkbox to have the software generate random barcodes with the prefix Auto for the source receptacles. No other parameters are required for this option.
  • Page 44 To set destination plate options: 1. Click the Select Destination Microplate drop-don and select the plate type to inoculate with the picked colonies. Contact Molecular Devices to add a new plate type to the list. See Obtaining Support on page 203.
  • Page 45 Chapter 6: Picking Processes 6. Under Destination Microplate Template, click Edit to define the wells to dip or skip. You can skip wells you use as blank or control wells. This template is used for all the destination plates during the picking routine. To skip a well, click the well.
  • Page 46 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Setting Source Receptacle Options Use the Source page to set source receptacle options. To set source receptacle options: 1. Click the Holder drop-down and select the type of holder to use to hold the source receptacles on the instrument deck.
  • Page 47 Chapter 6: Picking Processes Changing the Picking Head The Change Head page reminds you which picking to load, based on the Setting Summary routine you configure, and allows you to change the head. The head is housed in an actuator system that permits easy exchange and set-up of the head. Although it is possible to manually move the actuator assembly, you should use the software to safely move the actuator into position to remove or install the head.

  • Page 48: Running Picking Processes

    QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Running Picking Processes After you configure the picking routine, you can run the process on the instrument. Note: Before you run a picking process, it is important that you do the cleaning and set up procedures.
  • Page 49 Chapter 6: Picking Processes Adjusting the White Light Test Image On the Test Image page, view detected features as potential colonies to pick. To make sure that only colonies are detected, adjust the test image using the Exposure and Gain settings, the Detection settings, the Display settings, the Debris settings, and the Depth settings.
  • Page 50 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide 5. Select the Detection tab. 6. Select the Use Auto Thresholding checkbox to have the software automatically detect the colonies in the image. Clear the Use Auto Thresholding checkbox to manually detect the colonies. Drag the slider until the colonies are detected and the background is not.
  • Page 51 Chapter 6: Picking Processes 11. Select the Display tab. 12. Click the Display drop-down: Select Image Only to display the detected colonies in white with yellow rings and a gray background. The yellow ring shows the colony detection. Select Image and Overlay to display the detected colonies in green with yellow rings and a gray background.
  • Page 52 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide 16. Adjust the Agar Depth. In the Agar Depth field, enter the depth that the picking head descends into the source agar. The Agar Height field displays the height, or thickness, of the detected agar within the source tray.
  • Page 53 Chapter 6: Picking Processes To adjust the test image: 1. Click the Receptacle drop-down and select the number of the receptacle to view and then click the frame to view in the receptacle image below the list. The frame is in red. 2.
  • Page 54 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide On the Feature Selection page, pickable objects display in yellow and unpickable object display in red outline. A colony can be considered unpickable if it is too close to the edge of the receptacle or it does not match the selection criteria.
  • Page 55 Chapter 6: Picking Processes To change the selection of the system-chosen pickable objects that display in the image map, click to override the system-chosen and unchosen objects, and then click the objects in the image map to change. When you click as an override, the yellow-marked pickable objects change to blue and become unpickable.
  • Page 56 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide To undo all selections, click to display the Remove User Selections dialog. Click Yes. If you run a routine for white light and fluorescent imaging, two tabs are available. The White Light tab displays the image taken with white light.
  • Page 57 Chapter 6: Picking Processes 3. For a fluorescent image, adjust the Intensity Measure as shown in the histogram. This option is available only for instruments with a fluorescence imaging module. Mean Intensity: The average fluorescence of the detected colony (the fluorescence of all the pixels within the colony perimeter divided by the number of pixels within the colony perimeter).
  • Page 58 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide 9. Select the Shade Features checkbox to give the detected colonies some shading for clearer visualization. 10. Select the Display Proximity Indicators checkbox to display connecting red lines between a detected colony and its closest neighbor.
  • Page 59 Chapter 6: Picking Processes 18. When the Finished Picking Current Batch dialog displays, select an option for how to continue, then click OK. Viewing the Picking Progress While the picking routine runs, the Picking Progress page displays a summary of the routine. Start Time: The time the picking of the colonies began.
  • Page 60 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Continuing or Ending the Picking Routine After all the colonies are picked from the source receptacles and delivered to the destination plates, the Finished Picking Current Batch dialog displays. If there are no more source receptacles to pick, click Finish Picking and then click OK.
  • Page 61 Chapter 6: Picking Processes Changing the Picking Head The Change Head page reminds you which picking to load, based on the Setting Summary routine you configure, and allows you to change the head. The head is housed in an actuator system that permits easy exchange and set-up of the head. Although it is possible to manually move the actuator assembly, you should use the software to safely move the actuator into position to remove or install the head.
  • Page 62 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide 5031496 N...

  • Page 63: Chapter 7: Blue-White Picking Processes

    Chapter 7: Blue-White Picking Processes The QPix 420 Microbial Colony Picking System can pick colonies from receptacles using either standard picking or regional picking. You can set up control wells for the destination plates before you run a picking process.
  • Page 64 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Selecting Blue-White Picking Routines Use the Routines dialog to select a Blue-White picking routine. To select a Blue-White picking routine: 1. Select New Routine to create a new routine. 2. Select Run Existing Routine, then click the Select Routine drop-down and select an existing routine to run or to edit.
  • Page 65 Chapter 7: Blue-White Picking Processes Exporting Routines To export a routine: 1. Click Export. 2. Navigate to the location that you want to save the .xml file. 3. You can change the name of the file. 4. Click Export to save the routine in .xml format. Selecting Barcode Options When you create or edit a routine for white light only, the Barcodes page displays.
  • Page 66 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Random Identifiers To have the software generate random identifiers: 1. Clear the Use Barcode Reader checkbox. 2. Select the Generate Random Barcodes checkbox to have the software generate random barcodes with the prefix Auto for the source receptacles. No other parameters are required for this option.
  • Page 67 Chapter 7: Blue-White Picking Processes Setting Destination Plate Options Use the Destination Options page to set destination plate options. To set destination plate options: 1. Click the Select Destination Microplate drop-down and select the plate type to inoculate with the picked colonies. 2.
  • Page 68 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Selecting the Head and Sanitizing Options Use the Head and Sanitise page to select the head and sanitizing options. To select the head and sanitizing options: 1. Click the Picking Head drop-down and select the head to use for the picking routine.
  • Page 69 Chapter 7: Blue-White Picking Processes Setting Source Receptacle Options Use the Source page to set source receptacle options. To set source receptacle options: 1. Click the Holder drop-down and select the type of holder for the source receptacles on the instrument deck.
  • Page 70 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Changing the Picking Head The Change Head page reminds you which picking head to load, based on the Setting Summary routine you configure, and provides an opportunity to change the head. The head is housed in an actuator system that permits easy exchange and set-up of the head.

  • Page 71: Running Blue-White Picking Processes

    Chapter 7: Blue-White Picking Processes Running Blue-White Picking Processes After you configure the blue-white picking routine, you can run the process on the instrument. Note: Before you run a picking process, it is important that you do the cleaning and set up procedures.
  • Page 72 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Adjusting the Blue-White Regional White Light Test Image On the Test Image page, all detected features are viewed as potential colonies to pick for inoculation of the destination plates. To make sure that only blue or white colonies are detected, adjust the test image using the Exposure and Gain settings, the Detection settings, the Display settings, and the Debris settings.
  • Page 73 Chapter 7: Blue-White Picking Processes 5. Select the Detection tab. In the Threshold intensity histogram, the X-axis represents the intensity, and the Y-axis represents the relative area at that intensity. 6. To use Auto Select, click either Blue or White. Click the button as many times as required to intensify the target colonies.
  • Page 74 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide 11. Select the method to view the detected colonies in the image. Click Image Only to display the detected colonies in white with yellow rings and a gray background. Click Image and Overlay to display the detected colonies in green with yellow rings and a gray background.
  • Page 75 Chapter 7: Blue-White Picking Processes Selecting Blue-White Colonies for Picking After you adjust and refine test images, the system captures and processes a higher-resolution image using the test-image adjustments and then displays the Feature Selection page. On the Feature Selection page, pickable objects show in yellow and unpickable object show in red outline.
  • Page 76 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Click Export Image to save the image in .bmp, .jpg, or .png format. To select a smaller region of interest (ROI) in the image, draw a polygon around the region. To draw a polygon, click the Draw Polygon icon and then click the image to define the corners of the polygon.
  • Page 77 Chapter 7: Blue-White Picking Processes When you click as an override, the yellow-marked pickable objects change to blue and become unpickable. To undo the selection, right-click over the image map and select Pick Item. The object changes to green and becomes pickable. When you click as an override, the red-marked unpickable objects change to green and become pickable.
  • Page 78 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide To select the colonies for picking: 1. From the list in the upper-right area, select the barcode or identifier of the receptacle to view. 2. Refine the colony Selection criteria. Compactness: Sets the level of irregularity for picking colonies. The value is a ratio of the perimeter divided by the area of the colony, so that irregular shaped colonies are closer to 0 and colonies that are more of a perfect circle are closer to 1.
  • Page 79 Chapter 7: Blue-White Picking Processes 4. Change the pickable property of individual objects. To define an object as pickable, right-click the object and select Pick Item to display the object in green. To define an object as unpickable, right-click the object and select Discard Item to display the object in blue.
  • Page 80 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide 14. On the Load Plates page, follow the instructions to verify that the plates are set up correctly. 15. Select the Checked? checkbox to confirm that the plates are set up correctly. 16. Make sure that the instrument door is closed.
  • Page 81 Chapter 7: Blue-White Picking Processes Viewing the Picking Progress While the picking routine runs, the Picking Progress page displays a summary of the routine. Start Time: The time that the picking of the colonies began. Source Barcode: The barcode or identifier of the source receptacle being picked from. Pin: The picking pin being used for the current picking operation.
  • Page 82 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Viewing the Picking Summary After picking routines complete, the Picking Summary page displays the number of source colonies picked, the number of destination plates used, and missing source receptacles. Click Export to save this information in .csv format.

  • Page 83: Chapter 8: Zone Of Inhibition Detection Picking Processes

    Chapter 8: Zone of Inhibition Detection Picking Processes The QPix 420 Microbial Colony Picking System can pick colonies from receptacles using either standard picking or regional picking. You can set up control wells for the destination plates before you run a picking process.
  • Page 84 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Selecting Zone of Inhibition Detection Picking Routines Use the Routines dialog to select a Zone of Inhibition Detection picking routine. To select a Zone of Inhibition Detection picking routine: 1. Select New Routine to create a new routine.
  • Page 85 Chapter 8: Zone of Inhibition Detection Picking Processes Exporting Routines To export a routine: 1. Click Export. 2. Navigate to the location that you want to save the .xml file. 3. You can change the name of the file. 4. Click Export to save the routine in .xml format. Selecting Barcode Options When you create or edit a White Light only routine, the Barcodes page displays.
  • Page 86 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Random Identifiers To have the software generate random identifiers: 1. Clear the Use Barcode Reader checkbox. 2. Select the Generate Random Barcodes checkbox to have the software generate random barcodes with the prefix Auto for the source receptacles. No other parameters are required for this option.
  • Page 87 Chapter 8: Zone of Inhibition Detection Picking Processes Setting Destination Plate Options Use the Destination Options page to set destination plate options. To set destination plate options: 1. Click the Select Destination Microplate drop-down and select the plate type to inoculate with the picked colonies.
  • Page 88 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Selecting the Head and Sanitizing Options Use the Head and Sanitise page to select the head and sanitize options. To select the head and sanitize options: 1. Click the Picking Head drop-down and select the head to use for the picking routine.
  • Page 89 Chapter 8: Zone of Inhibition Detection Picking Processes Setting Source Receptacle Options Use the Source page to set the source receptacle options. To set the source receptacle options: 1. Click the Holder drop-down and select the type of holder to hold the source receptacles on the instrument deck.
  • Page 90 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Changing the Picking Head The Change Head page reminds you which picking head must be loaded, based on the Setting Summary routine you configure, and provides you an opportunity to change the head.

  • Page 91: Running Zone Of Inhibition Detection Picking Processes

    Chapter 8: Zone of Inhibition Detection Picking Processes Running Zone of Inhibition Detection Picking Processes After you configure a picking routine, you can run the process on the instrument. Note: Before you run a picking process, it is important that you do the cleaning and set up procedures.
  • Page 92 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Adjusting the Zone of Inhibition Detection White Light Test Image On the Test Image page, use the Exposure and Gain settings to adjust the exposure level to best view the foreground image from the background.
  • Page 93 Chapter 8: Zone of Inhibition Detection Picking Processes Selecting Zone of Inhibition Detection Colonies for Picking After you adjust and refine test images, the system captures and processes a higher-resolution image using the test-image adjustments and then displays the Feature Selection page. On the Feature Selection page, pickable objects show in yellow and unpickable object show in red.
  • Page 94 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Click View Feature Gallery to display all found colonies in a gallery. The first time the gallery opens, a message displays while the gallery thumbnails generate. This displays on the first opening for each run. The gallery displays an image for each detected colony along with specific colony selection details.
  • Page 95 Chapter 8: Zone of Inhibition Detection Picking Processes To undo all your user selections, click to display the Remove User Selections dialog. Click Yes. To select the colonies for picking: 1. From the list in the upper-right area, select the barcode or identifier of the receptacle to view.
  • Page 96 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide 3. Change the pickable property of individual objects. To define an object as pickable, right-click the object and select Pick Item to display the object in green. To define an object as unpickable, right-click the object and select Discard Item to display the object in blue.
  • Page 97 Chapter 8: Zone of Inhibition Detection Picking Processes Viewing the Picking Progress While the picking routine runs, the Picking Progress page displays a summary of the routine. Start Time: The time that the picking of the colonies began. Source Barcode: The barcode or identifier of the source receptacle being picked from. Pin: The picking pin being used for the current picking operation.
  • Page 98 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide 5031496 N...

  • Page 99: Chapter 9: Regional Picking Processes

    Chapter 9: Regional Picking Processes The QPix 420 Microbial Colony Picking System can pick colonies from receptacles using either standard picking or regional picking. You can set up control wells for the destination plates before you run a picking process.
  • Page 100 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Selecting Regional Picking Routines Use the Routines dialog to select a Regional Picking routine. To select a Regional Picking routine: 1. Select New Routine to create a new routine. 2. Select Run Existing Routine, then click the Select Routine drop-down and select an existing routine to run or to edit.
  • Page 101 Chapter 9: Regional Picking Processes Exporting Routines To export a routine: 1. Click Export. 2. Navigate to the location that you want to save the .xml file. 3. You can change the name of the file. 4. Click Export to save the routine in .xml format. Selecting Barcode Options and Filter Pairs for Fluorescent Imaging When you create or edit a routine for white light only, the Barcodes page displays.
  • Page 102 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Defining Unique Identifiers Without Barcodes To define unique identifiers without barcodes: Clear the Use Barcode Reader checkbox to define unique identifiers for source receptacles without scanning for barcodes. Random Identifiers To have the software generate random identifiers: 1.
  • Page 103 Holder list, in which case the Receptacle option is preset and cannot be changed. If the type of source receptacle that you need is not listed, contact Molecular Devices to add a new source receptacle type. See Obtaining Support on page 203.
  • Page 104 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Setting Regional Picking Source and Destination Options Use the Destination/Source Options page to set the regional picking source and destination options. To set the regional picking source and destination options: 1. Select the Limit Max. Number of Features Per Region checkbox and then in the Number of Features Per Region field, enter the maximum number of colonies to pick from a single source receptacle.
  • Page 105 Chapter 9: Regional Picking Processes Selecting the Head and Sanitizing Options Use the Head and Sanitise page to select the head and sanitizing options. To select the head and sanitizing options: 1. Click the Picking Head drop-down and select the head for the picking routine. 2.
  • Page 106 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Changing the Picking Head The Change Head page reminds you which picking head must be loaded, based on the Setting Summary routine you configure, and allows you to change the head. The head is housed in an actuator system that permits easy exchange and set-up of the head.

  • Page 107: Running Regional Picking Processes

    Chapter 9: Regional Picking Processes Running Regional Picking Processes After you configure a regional picking routine, you can run the process on the instrument. If you have not configured the regional picking routine to run, you must create a new regional picking routine or edit a routine.
  • Page 108 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide To set a detection threshold or detect areas of saturation within the image: 1. Right-click over the image map and select Intensity. 2. Move the cursor over the area of interest in the image map to display the pixel intensity value.
  • Page 109 Chapter 9: Regional Picking Processes 9. Select the Subtract Background checkbox to have the background become nearly black. 10. Select the Display tab. 11. Click the Display drop-down: Select Image Only to display the detected colonies in white with yellow rings and a gray background.
  • Page 110 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Adjusting the Fluorescent Test Image If you run a routine for white light and fluorescent imaging, the Fluorescent Test Image page displays after you make adjustments for the white light test image. This option is available only for instruments with a fluorescence imaging module.
  • Page 111 Chapter 9: Regional Picking Processes Selecting Colonies for Regional Picking After you adjust and refine test images, the system captures and processes a higher-resolution image using the test-image adjustments and then displays the Feature Selection page. On the Feature Selection page, pickable objects display in yellow and unpickable object display in red.
  • Page 112 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide To change the selection of the system-chosen pickable objects that display in the image map, click to override the system-chosen and unchosen objects, and then click the objects in the image map to change.
  • Page 113 Chapter 9: Regional Picking Processes To undo all selections, click to display the Remove User Selections dialog. Click Yes. If you run a routine for white light and fluorescent imaging, two tabs are available. The White Light tab displays the image taken with white light. The other tab is labeled with the fluorescent filter pair and displays the image taken with fluorescent light.
  • Page 114 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide 3. For a fluorescent image, adjust the Intensity Measure as shown in the histogram. This option is available only for instruments with a fluorescence imaging module. Mean Intensity: The average fluorescence of the detected colony (the fluorescence of all the pixels within the colony perimeter divided by the number of pixels within the colony perimeter).
  • Page 115 Chapter 9: Regional Picking Processes 10. Select the Display Numbers per Region checkbox to display the number of pickable colonies for each region on the receptacle image. If you do not place a limit on the number of colonies to pick for each region, all the numbers display in green. If you create a limit on detectable colonies, the number displays in green if the criteria are acceptable and display red if they are not.
  • Page 116 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Continuing or Ending the Regional Picking Routine After all colonies are picked from the source receptacles and delivered to the destination plates, the Finished Picking Current Batch dialog displays. If there are no more source receptacles to pick, click Finish Picking and then click OK.

  • Page 117: Chapter 10: Blue-White Regional Picking Processes

    Chapter 10: Blue-White Regional Picking Processes The QPix 420 Microbial Colony Picking System can pick colonies from receptacles using either standard picking or regional picking. You can set up control wells for the destination plates before you run a picking process.
  • Page 118 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Opening the Blue-White Regional Picking Page To open the Blue-White Picking page: 1. On the Navigation page under Picking Processes, double-click the Blue-White Regional Picking icon to display the Blue-White Picking page. 2. Click Picking Type to view the picking type options.
  • Page 119 Chapter 10: Blue-White Regional Picking Processes Importing and Exporting Blue-White Regional Picking Routines The Select Routine list displays the routines that match the type of routine you are creating. For example, a white light and fluorescent imaging routine is not included in the Select Routine list if you are creating a White Light only routine.
  • Page 120 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide 3. Use the Validation Barcode list to define the barcodes for source receptacles. If the scanned barcode on a source receptacle cannot be found in the list, a message displays. To manually enter the barcodes, enter each barcode in the field below the list and then click Insert.
  • Page 121 Holder list, in which case the Receptacle option is preset and cannot be changed. If the type of source receptacle that you need is not listed, contact Molecular Devices to add a new source receptacle type to the list. See Obtaining Support on page 203.
  • Page 122 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Setting Regional Picking Source and Destination Options Use the Destination/Source Options page to set picking source and destination options. To set regional picking source and destination options: 1. Select the Limit Max. Number of Features Per Region checkbox and then in the Number of Features Per Region field, enter the maximum number of colonies to pick from a single source receptacle.
  • Page 123 Chapter 10: Blue-White Regional Picking Processes Selecting the Head and Sanitizing Options Use the Head and Sanitise page to select the head and sanitizing options. To select the head and sanitizing options: 1. Click the Picking Head drop-down and select the head to use for the picking routine. 2.
  • Page 124 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Changing the Picking Head The Change Head page reminds you which picking head must be loaded, based on the Setting Summary routine you configure, and allows you to change the head. The head is housed in an actuator system that permits easy exchange and set-up of the head.

  • Page 125: Running Blue-White Regional Picking Processes

    Chapter 10: Blue-White Regional Picking Processes Running Blue-White Regional Picking Processes After you configure a regional picking routine, you can run the process on the instrument. Note: Before you run a regional picking process, it is important that you do the cleaning and set up procedures in Preparing to Run Processes on page To run a regional picking routine:...
  • Page 126 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Adjusting the Blue-White Regional White Light Test Image On the Test Image page, view detected features as potential colonies to pick for inoculation of the destination plates. To make sure that only blue or white colonies are detected, adjust the test image using the Exposure and Gain settings, the Detection settings, the Display settings, and the Debris settings.
  • Page 127 Chapter 10: Blue-White Regional Picking Processes 5. Select the Detection tab. In the Threshold Intensity histogram, the X-axis represents the intensity and the Y-axis represents the relative area at that intensity. 6. To use Auto Select, click either Blue or White. Click the button as many times as required to intensify the target colonies.
  • Page 128 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide 11. Select the method to view the detected colonies in the image. Click Image Only to display the detected colonies in white with yellow rings and a gray background. Click Image and Overlay to display the detected colonies in green with yellow rings and a gray background.
  • Page 129 Chapter 10: Blue-White Regional Picking Processes Selecting Blue-White Colonies for Regional Picking After you adjust and refine test images, the system captures and processes a higher-resolution image using the test-image adjustments and then displays the Feature Selection page. On the Feature Selection page, pickable objects show in yellow and unpickable object show in red.
  • Page 130 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide To change the selection of the system-chosen pickable objects that display in the image map, click to override the system-chosen and unchosen objects, and then click the objects in the image map to change.
  • Page 131 Chapter 10: Blue-White Regional Picking Processes To undo all selections, click to display the Remove User Selections dialog. Click Yes. To select the colonies for picking: 1. From the list in the upper-right area, select the barcode or identifier of the receptacle to view.
  • Page 132 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide 3. In the Limit Colonies field, enter the maximum number of colonies to pick from each receptacle. Note: If you previously set a limit for the maximum number of colonies on the Source page, the Limit Colonies option is not available on the Feature Selection page.
  • Page 133 Chapter 10: Blue-White Regional Picking Processes Viewing the Regional Picking Progress While the regional picking routine is running, the Regional Picking Progress page displays a summary of the routine. Start Time: The time that the picking of the colonies began. Source Barcode: The barcode or identifier of the source receptacle.
  • Page 134 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Viewing the Regional Picking Summary After regional picking routines complete, the Regional Picking Summary page displays the number of source colonies picked, the number of destination plates used, and missing source receptacles. Click Export to save this information in .csv format.

  • Page 135: Chapter 11: Control Plate Creation Processes

    Chapter 11: Control Plate Creation Processes The QPix 420 Microbial Colony Picking System can pick colonies from receptacles using either standard picking or regional picking. You can set up control wells for the destination plates before you run a picking process.
  • Page 136 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Selecting Control Plate Creation Routines Use the Routines dialog to select a Control Plate Creation routine: To select a Control Plate Creation routine: 1. Select New Routine to create a new routine. 2. Select Run Existing Routine, then click the Select Routine drop-down and select an existing routine to run or to edit.
  • Page 137 Chapter 11: Control Plate Creation Processes Exporting Routines To export a routine: 1. Click Export. 2. Navigate to the location that you want to save the .xml file. 3. You can change the name of the file. 4. Click Export to save the routine in .xml format. Selecting Barcode Options Note: You should always use barcodes for accurate data tracking.
  • Page 138 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Selecting the Head and Sanitizing Options Use the Head and Sanitise page to select the head and sanitize options. To select the head and sanitize options: 1. Click the Picking Head drop-down and select the head to use for the control plate creation routine.
  • Page 139 Chapter 11: Control Plate Creation Processes Defining the Control Wells Use the Control Plate page to define the control wells. To define the control wells: 1. Click a source receptacle on the left. 2. In the destination plate on the right, click the well or wells to place the control colonies from the receptacle.
  • Page 140 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Changing the Picking Head The Change Head page reminds you which picking head to load, based on the Setting Summary routine you configure, and provides an opportunity to change the head. The head is housed in an actuator system that permits easy exchange and set-up of the head.

  • Page 141: Running Control Plate Creation Processes

    Chapter 11: Control Plate Creation Processes Running Control Plate Creation Processes After you configure control plate creation routine, you can run the process on the instrument. Note: Before you run a picking process, it is important that you do the cleaning and set up procedures in Preparing to Run Processes on page Some steps that are included in these procedures might not be available, depending on the...
  • Page 142 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide To set a detection threshold or detect areas of saturation within the image: 1. Right-click over the image map and select Intensity. 2. Move the cursor over the area of interest in the image to display the pixel intensity value.
  • Page 143 Chapter 11: Control Plate Creation Processes 8. If you select the Auto Threshold Each Frame checkbox, enter threshold values in the Low Limit field and the High Limit field. To determine the Low Limit value, clear the Use Auto Thresholding checkbox and drag the slider to the left until some background is clearly detected.
  • Page 144 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Selecting Colonies for Picking After you adjust and refine test images, the system captures and processes a higher-resolution image using the test-image adjustments and then displays the Feature Selection page. On the Feature Selection page, pickable objects show in yellow and unpickable object show in red.
  • Page 145 Chapter 11: Control Plate Creation Processes To select a smaller region of interest (ROI) in the image, draw a polygon around the region. To draw a polygon, click the Draw Polygon icon and then click the image to define the corners of the polygon.
  • Page 146 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide 7. Select the Display Detected Features checkbox to display all detected features with a yellow circle. Select the Shade Features checkbox to give the detected colonies some shading for clearer visualization. Select the Display Proximity Indicators checkbox to display connecting red lines between a detected colony and its closest neighbor.
  • Page 147 Chapter 11: Control Plate Creation Processes Continuing or Ending the Control Plate Creation Routine After the colonies are picked from the source receptacles and delivered to the destination plates, the Finished Picking Current Batch dialog displays. If there are no more source receptacles to pick, click Finish Picking and then click OK. To continue picking more source receptacles: 1.
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  • Page 149: Chapter 12: Manage Regional Tray Processes

    Chapter 12: Manage Regional Tray Processes The QPix 420 Microbial Colony Picking System can pick colonies from receptacles using either standard picking or regional picking. You can set up control wells for the destination plates before running a picking process.
  • Page 150 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide 4. Select the Defined Tray tab to see a visual representation of the parameters. 5. After you enter the tray dimensions and confirm the new tray is ready to save, click Create Regional Tray.

  • Page 151: Modifying Regional Trays

    Chapter 12: Manage Regional Tray Processes Modifying Regional Trays Use the Manage Regional Trays page to edit or remove a regional tray. To modify a regional tray: 1. On the Navigation page under Picking Processes, double-click the Manage Regional Trays icon to display the New Plate Definition page.
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  • Page 153: Chapter 13: Replication Processes

    Chapter 13: Replication Processes The QPix 420 Microbial Colony Picking System is capable of replicating colonies between plates. The following options are available on the Navigation page under Replication Processes: Library Replication replicates between plates that have the same number of wells.
  • Page 154 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Selecting Replication Routines Use the Routines dialog to select a Replication routine: To select a Replication routine: 1. Select New Routine to create a new routine. 2. Select Run Existing Routine, then click the Select Routine drop-down and select an existing routine to run or to edit.
  • Page 155 Chapter 13: Replication Processes Selecting Barcode Options You can scan source and destination plates for barcodes or define unique identifiers for source plates without scanning for barcodes. Using a Barcode Reader Note: You should always use barcodes for accurate data tracking. To use a barcode: 1.
  • Page 156 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Manually Create Identifiers To manually create an identifier list: 3. Clear the Use Barcode Reader checkbox. 4. Clear the Generate Random Barcodes checkbox. 5. Either: In the text field below the list, enter an identifier and click Insert.
  • Page 157 Chapter 13: Replication Processes Selecting the Plate and Sanitizing Options Use the Microplates and Sanitise page to select the plate and sanitize options. To select the plate and sanitize options: 1. Click the Source Microplate drop-down and select the source plate type to hold the colonies to replicate.
  • Page 158 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Viewing the Settings Summary The Settings Summary page displays a summary of the replication routine settings. Review the summary details to make sure that the settings and options are configured correctly for the replication routine. To make changes, click Back until you return to the page where the changes can be made.
  • Page 159 Chapter 13: Replication Processes Arranging the Plate Layout To arrange the plate layout: 1. Open the instrument door. 2. On the Holder Layout Summary page, follow the instructions to correctly arrange the plate holders in the instrument. The layout is defined by the selections you made in earlier steps. 3.

  • Page 160: Running Replication Processes

    QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Running Replication Processes After you configure the replication routine, you can run the process on the instrument. To run a replication routine: 1. Open the Library Replication, Library Compression, or Library Expansion page.
  • Page 161 Chapter 13: Replication Processes Viewing the Replicating Summary After the replication routine completes, the Replicating Process page displays the number of source wells that were replicated, how many destination plates were used, and how many source plates were missing. Click Details to view details of all activities related to the source and destination plates. Click Export to save the detailed information in .csv format.
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  • Page 163: Chapter 14: Rearraying Processes

    Chapter 14: Rearraying Processes The QPix 420 Microbial Colony Picking System is capable of rearraying, or redepositing, colonies between one or more source and destination plates. Use the rearraying process to organize, or cherry-pick, your picked source colonies into destination subsets of a more specific and orderly layout.
  • Page 164 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Selecting Barcode Options You can scan source and destination plates for barcodes. Using a Barcode Reader Note: You should always use barcodes for accurate data tracking. To use a barcode reader: 1. Select the Use Barcode Reader checkbox to scan source and destination receptacles for barcodes.
  • Page 165 Chapter 14: Rearraying Processes 3. Select a barcode or identifier in the Source Microplate list, and then click Insert to open an image of the plate from which to define the wells to dip or skip for the rearraying routine. To dip a well, click the well.
  • Page 166 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide 4. Under Destination Microplate Template, click Edit to define the wells to dip or skip. You can skip wells that you want to use as blank or control wells. This template is used for all the destination plates during the rearraying routine.
  • Page 167 Chapter 14: Rearraying Processes Changing the Picking Head The Change Head page reminds you which picking head must be loaded, based on the Setting Summary routine you configured and allows you to change the head. The head is housed in an actuator system that permits easy exchange and set-up of the head. Although it is possible to manually move the actuator assembly, you should use the software to safely move the actuator into position to remove or install the head.

  • Page 168: Running Rearraying Processes

    QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Running Rearraying Processes After you configure the rearraying routine, you can run the process on the instrument. Note: Before you run a rearraying process, it is important that you do the cleaning and...
  • Page 169 Chapter 14: Rearraying Processes Viewing the Rearraying Progress While the rearraying routine is running, the Rearraying Progress page displays a summary of the routine. Start Time: The time the rearraying process began. Source Plate No: The number of the source plate that is being rearrayed. Source Barcode: The barcode or identifier of the source plate that is being rearrayed.
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  • Page 171: Chapter 15: Gridding Processes

    Chapter 15: Gridding Processes The QPix 420 Microbial Colony Picking System uses the gridding process to collect liquid samples from one or more source plates and then to deposit the liquid on the surface of one or more filters or on the surface of the agar in one or more QTrays. The gridding head stamps the sample in a defined grid pattern on the filter or agar.
  • Page 172 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Selecting Barcode Options You can scan source and destination receptacles for barcodes or define unique identifiers for receptacles without scanning for barcodes. Using a Barcode Reader Note: You should always use barcodes for accurate data tracking.
  • Page 173 Chapter 15: Gridding Processes Manually Create Identifiers To manually create an identifier list: 3. Clear the Use Barcode Reader checkbox. 4. Clear the Generate Random Barcodes checkbox. 5. Either: In the text field below the list, enter an identifier and click Insert. Click Import and then select the file from which to import the identifiers to import identifiers for the source receptacles from a text or .csv file.
  • Page 174 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Setting Source and Destination Options Use the Microplates and Filters page to select source and destination options: To select source and destination options: 1. Click the Select Microplate drop-down and select the plate type for the source.
  • Page 175 Chapter 15: Gridding Processes The maximum number of samples can be defined with 25 spots in the Spot Pattern and 6 fields in the Field Pattern that requires 150 filled 384-well plates. The minimum number of samples can be defined with 1 spot in the Spot Pattern and 1 field in the Field Pattern that requires 1 filled 96-well plate.
  • Page 176 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide 9. Click the direction buttons that represents the starting point for the first pin and the direction for the Spot Pattern. 10. In the Fill Pattern message, click OK to create and display a Spot Pattern based on the values in the Rows, Columns, and Replicates fields.
  • Page 177 Chapter 15: Gridding Processes Selecting the Destination Positions For the QPix 420 Microbial Colony Picking System, no options are available on the Filter Layout page for QTray usage. Click Next to select the stamping and inking options. Use the Filter Layout page to select the destination positions.
  • Page 178 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Viewing the Settings Summary The Settings Summary page displays a summary of the gridding routine settings. Review the summary details to make sure that the settings and options are configured correctly for the gridding routine. To make changes, click Back until you return to the page where the changes can be made.
  • Page 179 Chapter 15: Gridding Processes Arranging the Plate Layout To arrange the plate layout: 1. Open the instrument door. 2. On the Holder Layout Summary page, follow the instructions to correctly arrange the plate holders in the instrument. The layout is defined by the selections you made in earlier steps. 3.

  • Page 180: Running Gridding Processes

    QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Running Gridding Processes After you configure the gridding routine, you can run the process on the instrument. Note: Before you run a gridding process, it is important that you do the cleaning and set...
  • Page 181 Chapter 15: Gridding Processes Viewing the Gridding Progress While the gridding routine runs, the Gridding Progress page displays a summary of the routine. Start Time: The time the gridding process began. Source Plate No: The number of the source plate from which the sample is being taken. Source Barcode: The barcode or identifier of the source plate from which the sample is being taken.
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  • Page 183: Chapter 16: Data Viewer Processes

    Chapter 16: Data Viewer Processes The database stores information about the routines run on the QPix 420 Microbial Colony Picking System. You can view the data details and manage the database with Data Viewer processes. Finding Data in the Database Use the Data Viewer page to find data in the database.

  • Page 184: Displaying The Settings For Routines

    QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Displaying the Settings for Routines To display the settings for routines: 1. Find the routine for which you want to display the settings. 2. Double-click the routine to display details. 3. Click the Settings link at the top to display the settings for the routine.

  • Page 185: Adding Annotations To Routines, Receptacles, And Locations

    Chapter 16: Data Viewer Processes Adding Annotations to Routines, Receptacles, and Locations Use the Add Annotations dialog to add annotations to routines, receptacles, and locations. To add annotations to routines, receptacles, and locations: 1. Find and select the routine, receptacle, or location to which you want to add an annotation. Finding Data in the Database on page 183.

  • Page 186: Exporting Data And Settings

    QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Exporting Data and Settings To export data and settings: 1. Find and select the routine from which you want to export the data or the settings. 2. On the left select the type of export.

  • Page 187: Viewing Receptacle Location Maps

    Chapter 16: Data Viewer Processes Viewing Receptacle Location Maps To view a map of receptacle locations: 1. Find and select the plate well to view the location map. 2. On the left, click Show Locations Map to display the Add Property dialog. 3.
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  • Page 189: Chapter 17: Maintenance

    Chapter 17: Maintenance Perform only the maintenance tasks described in this guide. Contact a Molecular Devices service engineer to inspect and perform a preventive maintenance service on the instrument each year. See Obtaining Support on page 203. Before you operate the instrument or perform maintenance operations, make sure you are familiar with the safety information in this guide.

  • Page 190: Cleaning The Instrument

    For efficient decontamination of pathogenic micro-organisms, wipe all non-removable parts within the instrument with a cloth using 70% ethanol. CAUTION! Molecular Devices recommends that you spray ethanol on a cloth for cleaning the instrument. Autoclaving is not compatible with anodized parts. Do not use the ethanol on acrylic parts.
  • Page 191 Chapter 17: Maintenance CAUTION! Molecular Devices recommends that you spray ethanol on a cloth for cleaning the instrument. Autoclaving is not compatible with anodized parts. Do not use the ethanol on acrylic parts. Use water and then turn on the UV lamp.
  • Page 192 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Sonicating the Pins and Springs You should sonicate the pins weekly. Before you sonicate the pins, remove the pins from the head and sonicate the pins and springs only. Removing the Pins from the Head To remove the pins from the head: 1.
  • Page 193 Chapter 17: Maintenance 4. Remove the picking head retaining plate to expose the pins. 5. Carefully pull the pins and springs up to remove them from their head mounting holes. Note: A gridding head does not contain springs. 6. Separate the springs from the pins, as applicable. 7.

  • Page 194: Testing The Pins

    QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide 5. Verify that the screws are all flush with the retaining plate. 6. Install the head on the actuator. See Changing the Head on page 7. Test the fit in the actuator to be sure the fit is correct.
  • Page 195 Chapter 17: Maintenance 5. Select the type of test to run. Select Fire Pins In Sequence to test fire the pins one-by-one in column order unless you select the X Row First checkbox to fire the pins in row order. To dampen the pins as they retract, select the Rearray Valve checkbox.

  • Page 196: Aligning The Camera

    QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Aligning the Camera To ensure accurate picking, you must calibrate and align the camera to get pin-to-spot precision, relating the image pixel coordinates with the instrument x and y coordinates. Do this process whenever the head is returned to the actuator or if the actuator is hit during a maintenance operation, as this can have a negative effect on picking precision.
  • Page 197 Chapter 17: Maintenance 8. Click Goto Pos to enable the position screen controls and move the pin head over the source tray. 9. Under Head Position > Lateral, the red and green arrows move the pin head according to the millimeter distance increments you specify in the Move Size field. 10.

  • Page 198: Replacing Fuses

    If these checks fail to remedy the loss of power, replace the fuses. You can obtain replacement fuses from Molecular Devices. Fuses must be replaced with the correct type and rating as specified in Technical Specifications on page 213.

  • Page 199: Draining The Compressor

    Chapter 17: Maintenance To replace a fuse: WARNING! HIGH VOLTAGE  Power off the instrument and disconnect the power cord before you do maintenance procedures that require removal of a panel or cover or disassembly of an interior instrument component. 1. Switch the power switch on the front of the instrument to the off position. 2.

  • Page 200: Moving The Instrument

    QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide 3. Slowly open the valve by turning the lever on the Drain Valve to the right about a quarter of the way open until you hear the sound of high pressure blowing air.

  • Page 201: Adding A New User To The Sql Server Database

    Chapter 17: Maintenance Adding a New User to the SQL Server Database If a new user cannot log on to the QPix® 420 Microbial Colony Picking System, add the user to the SQL database. Note: This procedure requires a user with administrator privileges. To add a new user to the SQL Server database: 1.

  • Page 202: Resetting The Path To The Sql Server

    QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Resetting the Path to the SQL Server If you rename the computer, you must reset the path to the SQL Server. The new computer is included in the path to the SQL Server, but the software continues to look for the original path that contains the original computer name.

  • Page 203: Obtaining Support

    Our Support website—support.moleculardevices.com/—describes the support options offered by Molecular Devices, including service plans and professional services. It also has a link to the Molecular Devices Knowledge Base, which contains documentation, technical notes, software upgrades, safety data sheets, and other resources.
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  • Page 205: Chapter 18: Troubleshooting

    Chapter 18: Troubleshooting This section describes some common problems that can occur and possible solutions. Generally, crash recovery involves some form of the following procedure: 1. An error is identified in the software or the instrument stops. 2. If the error condition is caused by a receptacle or other item, then remove the item from the instrument.
  • Page 206 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide The pins bend when inoculating in plate wells. Make sure that the plate is aligned correctly towards both arrows in the plate holder. Make sure that the correct plate, head, and spacer blocks are installed.

  • Page 207: Troubleshooting Barcodes

    Add more white space at beginning or end. Restrict numbers to a maximum of six (6) digits. Verify that the codes meet the requirements. See Using Barcodes on page If detection is still a problem, contact Molecular Devices Technical Support. See Obtaining Support on page 203.
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  • Page 209: Appendix A: Replacement Parts And Optional Extras

    QPix® Chroma Colorimetric Colony Selection Software License. Blue/White Colony Selection Software License for QPix 420 system Microbial Colony Picking System SL9400-A07 Zone of Inhibition Detection Software License for QPix 420 system Microbial Colony Picking Systems. SL9400-A08 QPix® 420 Software Version 2.0 or Newer Upgrade X1101 QPix Chroma Filter, thin film optical filter for Blue/White colony selection, qty 1...
  • Page 210 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Gridding Heads Part Number Description X4225 Gridding head for bacteria and phage, 96-pin for 96-well and 384-well plates, tip diameter 0.4 mm X4226 Gridding head for DNA macroarrays, 96-pin for 96-well and 384-well plates, tip diameter 0.25 mm...
  • Page 211 Appendix A: Replacement Parts and Optional Extras Gridding Pin Part Number Description X4241 Gridding pins for DNA macroarrays, tip diameter 0.25 mm X4242 Gridding pins for protein macroarrays, tip diameter 0.15 mm X4243 Gridding pins for yeast and streptomyces, tip diameter 1 mm Re-Arraying Pins Part Number Description X4311...
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  • Page 213: Appendix B: Technical Specifications

    Appendix B: Technical Specifications The following tables list the technical specifications of the QPix 420 Microbial Colony Picking System. If you are using the optional air compressor, see the documentation that comes with the compressor for more details. Technical Specifications...
  • Page 214 QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Technical Specifications (continued) Item Description Clean, oil-free with sub-micron filtration Minimum operating pressure 6 bar (~90 psi) Minimum operating volume 80 L/min Optional air compressor Item Description Compressor unit DynAir DA7001CS, Clean, oil-free compressor with sub-micron...

  • Page 215: Appendix C: System Diagrams And Dimensions

    Appendix C: System Diagrams and Dimensions Front View of the QPix 420 Microbial Colony Picking System with Dimensions Item Description 1  Height of instrument: 78 cm (30.7 in.)  2  Width of instrument: 144 cm (56.7 in.)  Side View of the QPix 420 Microbial Colony Picking System with Dimensions...

  • Page 216: Electromagnetic Compatibility

    QPix 420 Colony Picking System User Guide Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulatory for Canada (ICES/NMB-001:2020) This ISM device complies with Canadian ICES-001. Cet appareil ISM est confomre à la norme NMB-001 du Canada. ISM Equipment Classification (Group 1, Class A) This equipment is designated as scientific equipment for laboratory use that intentionally...
  • Page 217 The trademarks used herein are the property of Molecular Devices, LLC or their respective owners. ©2024 Molecular Devices, LLC. Specifications subject to change without notice. Patents: www.moleculardevices.com/patents All rights reserved. FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. NOT FOR USE IN DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES...