1 Introduction ..............4 1.1 Intended Use of TLC Explorer ........4 1.2 Safety and Handling Instructions ........5 1.2.1 Do NOT Operate the TLC Explorer if … ....5 1.2.2 Installation Requirements ........7 1.2.3 Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure ......8 1.2.4 General Notes on Handling ........9 1.2.5 User Management and Information Security ..
Recorded plate images can be evaluated to generate reports or export the data for further processing with other systems. The TLC Explorer was developed for use in the laboratory and to be operated by trained and skilled users to perform thin-layer chromatography.
(see section 1.3) carefully before working with the TLC Explorer and keep it at hand for later reference. 1.2.1 Do NOT Operate the TLC Explorer if … Before connecting the TLC Explorer to a power supply, ensure none of the following applies: •...
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For questions on how to proceed, please contact the supplier of your TLC Explorer or review the TLC Explorer service site using the link in Figure 1.1: Figure 1.1: Find the TLC Explorer service page at: www.sigmaaldrich.com/TLCservice...
• Do not expose the instrument to any strong vibration or shock. • Protect the instrument from excessive dust. • Locate the TLC Explorer, cables, and, if applicable, the power bank, at a safe distance from heating sources (e. g. gas burners, electric heaters or ovens), chemical substances (e.
UV radiation. The TLC Explorer incorporates several safety measures to ensure that no UV-A or UV-C light is leaking from the device when used as described in this guide. Under no circumstances try to circumvent these safety measures! •...
• Close the drawer whenever the device is not in use to avoid damages and contamination. • When the TLC Explorer is being transported, the TLC Explorer must be closed, the Baseplate removed. No TLC plate should be inserted.
IT environment (see Operational User Manual), a large group of users may have access to your device(s). If the TLC Explorer is connected to a LAN or a WiFi network, usually everyone with access to that network can also open the user interface and login as an existing or new user (see section 3.4). If confidentiality is a concern, copy the respec-...
1.3 Getting started and Operational User Manual This ‘Getting started’ guide is only meant to help in setting up the TLC Explorer for operation and getting started with image capture. Details on processing images of TLC plates and configurations are provided in the Operational User Manual, which can be downloaded by scanning the QR code in Fig. 1.2 or on the official TLC Explorer support site...
2 Get to Know Your TLC Explorer 2.1 TLC Explorer Front Figure 2.1: Identifying elements on the device front Version 1.1 – 2023/11...
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2 Get to Know Your TLC Explorer - 2.1 TLC Explorer Front Item Description Power button Place a finger for at least two seconds on icon to start or switch off the device. Illumination ‘Vis’ Switch on/off white light source. Illumination ‘366’ Switch on/off UV-A light source. Illumination ‘254’ Switch on/off UV-C light source. Drawer Open drawer to place TLC plate on Baseplate.
2 Get to Know Your TLC Explorer - 2.2 TLC Explorer Back 2.2 TLC Explorer Back Figure 2.2: Identifying elements on the device back Version 1.1 – 2023/11...
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2 Get to Know Your TLC Explorer - 2.2 TLC Explorer Back Item Description USB-C port This USB-C port solely serves to connect the power supply and features no data transfer. USB-A port Port to connect memory sticks (flash drive) for data export, backups or software updates.
2 Get to Know Your TLC Explorer - 2.3 TLC Explorer Baseplate 2.3 TLC Explorer Baseplate Figure 2.3: Identifying elements on and related to the Baseplate Item Description Plate area Place TLC plates directly on the black coating. Frame No object on the plate area...
Only then lift the TLC Explorer (which has a weight of about 10 kg) by holding it on the bottom under both sides. Remove all transportation fixtures – like the...
Keep an easily accessible copy of this operational user guide near the TLC Explorer, e. g. as a digital document on the tablet or desktop computer you plan to use to control the device. Version 1.1 – 2023/11...
3 First Use - 3.3 Powering Up and a ‘First Look’ on Your Plate 3.3 Powering Up and a ‘First Look’ on Your Plate Choose a power cord A3 that fits the power outlet, connect it to both the power adapter and the power grid, and then plug the USB-C connector into the port B1.
Operational User Manual. A recommended basic approach is to connect your laptop to the TLC Explorer’s own WiFi Network. This approach is quickly set up and al- lows to download images and data you generate with just a few clicks directly to the device you are using.
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“https://”, to then produce a warning the site may not be secure. The browser cannot know that you are accessing the TLC Explorer in a protected local network, posing far less risk than opening a site from the internet.
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You should see a welcome screen similar to the following (Fig. 3.2): Figure 3.2: First opening of TLC Explorer user interface Setting a bookmark and/or selecting the menu point ‘Add to Home Screen’ from the browser menu (often marked as three dots in a column at the upper right browser corner) will significantly simplify opening the site in future.
3 First Use - 3.5 Creating a First User 3.5 Creating a First User Begin personalizing your TLC Explorer by selecting a lan- guage and entering a first username. Since usernames are internally used to name files and directories, not all special characters or symbols are allowed. In case you entered an invalid character, the line under the field will turn red and a warning message will appear underneath.
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3 First Use - 3.5 Creating a First User After you have clicked on ‘Add User’, the initial setup is complete and the device ready to be used. You will be au- tomatically forwarded to the standard welcome screen seen at figure 3.4. Select the user you created and click ‘Login’ to start capturing images of your TLC plates.
3 First Use - 3.6 Powering Down 3.6 Powering Down Like any desktop computer, the TLC Explorer needs to be properly shut down before unplugging the power supply. Failing to do so may damage the device. In order to shut down the device correctly, click on the main menu icon (three horizontal bars in the upper right corner), and select ‘Shutdown’...
(maybe with some annotations) for some document, or need a quantitative analysis with a complete report – the TLC Explorer lets you do just that. However, most of the software’s features to process and document TLC plates are out of the scope of this ‘Getting...
4 Operational Guide - 4.3 Image Capture Select the illumination type you would like to use by briefly holding your finger on the respective button (F2, F3, or F4) until the circle lights up. Then gently push down the shutter to open the inspection window F7. Depending on slider your observation angle, you can push the shutter slider fully or only partly down to see the relevant part of the TLC plate.
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4 Operational Guide - 4.3 Image Capture The page that opens after each login (see Fig. 4.1) lets you either capture new images or load an existing Image Set. At the left – or, for small screen width, on the top – you will see the low-resolution image of the Baseplate that was captured when you closed the drawer.
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4 Operational Guide - 4.3 Image Capture Checkboxes let you choose which illumination types you wish to use for the image capture. Expanding the ‘Use manual Exposure’ section allows you to set the exposure time in milliseconds for each of the chosen illumination types. Click on the camera icon to let the system take a low-resolution image with the selected exposure time and shows it as a preview.
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4 Operational Guide - 4.3 Image Capture Figure 4.2: Manually set exposure time for selected illumination types. Version 1.1 – 2023/11...
5 Troubleshooting 5.1 Identifying Errors An unexpected behavior or error message is sometimes the consequence of a previous unnoticed error. To speed up the search to find an error’s origin and potential solutions, the chart in Fig. 5.1 lists a sequence of checks. Once the issue has been identified, please follow the possible remedies referenced by number to the right of the issue. Please DO NOT unplug the system from the power supply without properly shutting it down (see section 3.6).
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One light source is not working The device’s WiFi is not visible Other devices can connect to the TLC Explorer’s own WiFi. Other devices can’t connect The connection is automatically replaced with other WiFi network The browser can’t find the page...
– third party power adapter and cables may charge a phone but have specifications that are incompatible with the TLC Explorer. In case the power adapter and cable work as desired with other devices, but not the TLC Explorer, you may need to contact the reseller of your device for technical support (see section 6.2).
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9) The network administrator may have installed security measures on the network configuration, or your device settings, preventing your device(s) from connecting to the TLC Explorer. If in doubt, please ask your network administrator. 10) Some mobile devices will give preference to network connections that have internet access, which the TLC Explorers own WiFi network does not have.
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12) The TLC Explorer tries to inform all devices in the same network that it can be reached with the URL “http://” followed by the device name (see section 3.4). How- ever, some networks may not support this feature and require users to address the device by it’s IP, e.g.
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17) I f the available storage space is insufficient to save captured images, an error message will appear. Please transfer all data not currently needed for processing to other devices and delete their copy on the TLC Explorer. At the bottom right corner of the file manager (reached via the main menu in the upper right corner), you can see the ‘Remaining free space’.
To start a factory reset, touch and hold all three illumination buttons (F2, F3, F4) while the TLC Explorer is starting, i. e. as long as the power icon F1 is flashing. Version 1.1 – 2023/11...
6 Cleaning, Maintenance, and Decommissioning 6.1 Cleaning It is recommended to clean the TLC Explorer – and especially the Baseplate – with a damp lint-free tissue on a regular basis. To remove more resilient dirt, the cleaning tissue may also be used damp with a mixture of alcohol and water at the ratio of 1:1.
For questions about warranty, warranty related issues, or questions specific to your device, please contact the reseller of your TLC Explorer. Similarly, if in doubt about how to proceed when facing one of the situations listed under ‘Do NOT Operate the TLC Explorer if …’ in section 1.2.1, please contact the reseller of your device or a local supplier via www.sigmaaldrich.com.
6 Cleaning, Maintenance, and Decommissioning 6.3 Ordering Accessories and Replacement Parts 6.3 Ordering Accessories and Replacement Parts Currently, the TLC Explorer product portfolio includes the following products which can be ordered separately as additional equipment or replacement parts: Cat. No.
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6 Cleaning, Maintenance, and Decommissioning 6.3 Ordering Accessories and Replacement Parts Cat. No. Name Description 1.52611.0001 Power bank Powers the TLC Explorer independent of a power grid – e. g. for the use away from a mains power source. 1.52618.0001 Dust cover...
TLC Explorer. There are no batteries in the TLC Explorer. You, therefore, do not need to remove any batteries before storing, shipping or returning the device.
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6 Cleaning, Maintenance, and Decommissioning 6.4 Decommisioning, Storage, and Disposal For further information on take-back programs offered in your region, please visit www.sigmaaldrich.com/EN/en/life-science/ quality-and-regulatory-management/recycling. Figure 6.3: O nly dispose device at official collection and recycling center or return it to your reseller. Version 1.1 – 2023/11...
0.83 W Measuring technology Documentation system for TLC plates by using video densitometric measurement. Wavelength range The TLC Explorer provides the standard illumination for detecting TLC plates (see also section 12.2): • Visible light (VIS) • UV-C - WL: 254nm •...
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Appendix - 7.1 Device Measurement and Specifications Ambient Condition: • The device can be operated in a humidity Relative humidity range from 20%RH to 80%RH, non-con- densing conditions shall be ensured. • The humidity for storage and transporta- tion should be in a range from 15%RH to 95%RH, non-condensing conditions shall be ensured. Ambient Condition: < 2000 m Altitude Dimensions 374 x 312 x 290 mm length x width x height TLC plates sizes Usage of TLC plates with a size of...
7 Appendix - 7.2 Table of Hazardous Substances’ Name and Concentration (only for China) 7.2 Table of Hazardous Substances’ Name and Concentration (only for China) Hazardous substances’ name Component Name (Pb) (Hg) (Cd) ) (PBB) (PBDE) Housing Optics Electronics O: Indicates that this toxic or hazardous substance contained in all of the homogeneous materials for this part is below the limit requirement in SJ / T11363-2006.
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