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AutoBlot 3000H Service Manual October 2005...
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Disclaimer Information in this document is subject to change without notice. MedTec makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties or merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. MedTec shall...
CONTENTS Introduction General Description Page 7 Safety Page 7 Normal Operating Conditions Page 8 Decontamination Page 8 Tool Requirements Page 8 Technical Specifications Page 9 Fluid and Tubing Schematic Page 10 Firmware Maintenance Routines Maintenance Mode Page 11 Set-Up Mode Page 12 Hardware Service Opening the Enclosure...
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CONTENTS (cont.) Troubleshooting Guide Page 31 Service and Warranty Warranty Page 34 Preventive Maintenance Checkups Page 34 Field Replacement Parts Ordering Parts Page 35 Returning Defective Parts Page 35 Service Parts Page 36 General Spare Parts Page 37 Appendix A: Installation Instructions Page 43 Appendix B: Cert of Decontamination Page 49...
Safety The AutoBlot 3000H is designed for safe operation. However, for your safety and the safety of others, the AutoBlot should be operated as specified in the Guide to Operations. Failure to do so could result in injury to yourself or others, or damage to the equipment.
AutoBlot, first disconnect the power supply. NOTE: ESD PROTECTION REQUIRED. Normal Environmental Conditions The AutoBlot 3000H is designed to be safe under the following environmental conditions. • Indoor use. • Altitude up to 2000m.
Introduction AutoBlot 3000H Technical Specifications Dimensions 22 in x 18 in x 7.5 in. 559 mm x 457 mm x 191 mm Weight 35 lbs (15.9 kg) Capacity 20 strips Power 100-240V, 50 or 60Hz, 3.2amp Firmware Updates PC download...
FIRMWARE MAINTENANCE ROUTINES Maintenance Mode For most service procedures, you will use the Maintenance Mode routines. In Maintenance Mode you can check the keypad, the pumps, the rock motor, the alarm, and the carriage mechanism. These routines are also useful when diagnosing equipment malfunctions.
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CONTINUED FROM “CHECK CARRIAGE?” Check Power Fail? Follow prompts to run power fail test. Yes or No Follow prompts to run stirrer motor test. Check Stirrer Motor? Yes or No Follow prompts to run fan test. Check Fans? Yes or No Follow prompts to run heater test.
Firmware Maintenance Routines – Set Up Mode Set Up Mode The Set-Up Mode routine is used to reset memory, to change the number of pumps or tray setup, and set the pump count (how many counts it takes to dispense 2 ml). Access Set-Up Mode by pressing PAUSE at the Maintenance Mode? prompt.
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Firmware Maintenance Routines – Set Up Mode CONTINUED FROM “HEATED PLATFORM?” Magnetic Stirrer? Is there a magnetic stirrer installed? ENTER Print Temperature? MUST be set to NO for proper operation. Used by engineering for development purposes only. ENTER Set Warm Up Time Default warm up time 30 minutes.
The following hardware service operations are the more commons ones that you might encounter with the AutoBlot. If the instrument requires service beyond the scope of this manual, call the Technical Service Department at MedTec for assistance. NOTE: ESD PROTECTION IS REQUIRED when working on the AutoBlot.
Hardware Service Replacing the Rock Motor Isolation Mount NOTE: DO NOT use too much force when tightening the isolation mounts. They break easily. 1. Remove the rock motor by loosening the two (2) screws that hold it to the base plate. 2.
Hardware Service Cleaning Obstructions from the Aspirate Pump and Tubing NOTE: It is very rare for an instrument to have an aspirate pump that requires rebuilding replacing. Loss aspiration problems are usually due to an obstruction of the flapper valves. The pump is easy to clean, in the field, with no disassembly, by using the following procedure.
Hardware Service Disassembling the Aspirate Pump 1. Open the enclosure. 2. Remove the screws on top of the aspirate pump. This reveals a small diaphragm. Be sure to note the position of all of the seals and flappers. They must be reinstalled exactly as originally assembled in order to work properly (photo 5).
Hardware Service Replacing the Dispense Pump 1. Make sure the instrument is off and the power supply is disconnected. 2. Remove the bottom cover of the instrument. 3. Undo the two (2) screws holding the pump to the back panel. 4.
Hardware Service Tensioning the Pump Pressure Pressure pads are tensioned at the factory. They should not be adjusted unless the tensioning mechanism has come loose. Tensioning with an Air Pressure Gauge (preferred method): 1. Attach the gauge to the output of the pump tubing using whatever fittings and tubing are available (photo 8).
Hardware Service Replacing Dispense Pump Tubing Important: Tubing replacement kits can be purchased directly from the manufacturer. Proper tube lengths and installation are critical for proper instrument performance. Using tubing that has not been purchased from the manufacturer negates instrument warranty.
Hardware Service Replacing Bottle and Arm Tubing 1. Use only tubing replacement kits provided by the manufacturer. Do not attempt change tubing without these kits. Compare the length of each tube that you replace with the length of the new tube you are installing. These lengths are critical in order for the arm mechanism to operate smoothly.
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Hardware Service 5. Slide the nylon flat washer over the end of the tubing so that it is on the front of the tubing clip (photo 14). 6. Attach the other end of the tubing to the Pump 1 (Wash) at the back of the instrument.
Hardware Service Setting the Gap between the Aspirate and Dispense Arms Important: The aspirate arm and aspirate bearing are assembled on a surface plate and should NEVER be disassembled. In order to gap the two arms, loosen and adjust only the dispense arm.
Hardware Service Adjusting the Dispense Arm Flag 1. Lift the cover lid and remove the top panel. 2. In Maintenance Mode access the Check Carriage Arm routine and then “Check First Strip” prompt. 3. Loosen the screw holding the flag (photo 17).
Hardware Service 7. With the arms level, tighten the set screws on the aspirate arm. 8. Make sure there is no endplay of the shaft when the large pulley is pushed or pulled (photo 19). If there is any endplay loosen the two (2) set screws on the large pulley located at the end of the shaft.
Hardware Service Replacing the Platform Ribbon Cable In order to ensure the platform heaters are working properly, this ribbon cable should be changed every 12 months. The ribbon cable can be ordered directly from the manufacturer. The ribbon cable is located under the platform. 1.
Hardware Service Calibrating the Pumps The Pump Calibration Routine is used to adjust the “on” time of each pump. This allows for differences in how the tubing was installed in the pump, pump wear over time, manufacturing tolerances. It is best to recheck the calibration annually or whenever pump tubing is replaced.
Hardware Service Calibrating the Heaters 1. Turn the instrument on. 2. Press NO at Ready for a New Test? 3. Press NO at Enter Edit Mode? 4. Press NO at Check Heaters? 5. Pres YES at Enter Calibration Mode? 6. Press NO at Calibrate Pumps? 7.
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TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE In the event you are experiencing problems with your AutoBlot, refer to the following table for troubleshooting assistance. If you cannot find the solution to the problem using this guide, please call the MedTec Technical Service Department. Problem...
Troubleshooting Problem Possible Cause Solution Rock Motor Steps 1. Rock motor fails to 1. If platform is rocking – Error rock platform correctly check to make sure nothing is impeding the movement of the rocker mechanism. Arm Steps Lost 1. Arm mechanism lost 1.
SERVICE AND WARRANTY Warranty Period The AutoBlot 3000H is covered for one (1) year under warranty, excluding negligence. Should you have any problems with your instrument, contact the Customer Service Department for assistance. Preventive Maintenance Checkups In order to keep your AutoBlot in top working condition, it is recommended that it receive a Preventive Maintenance (PM) Checkup once a year.
Email: customerservice@medtecbiolab.com Returning Defective Parts Customer service is important to us. In order for MedTec to continue to provide you with high-quality service, we must have any defective parts returned for evaluation. Please contact our Customer Service Department for an RMA# and include the following information with any parts being returned: 1.
Appendix A AutoBlot 3000H Installation Instructions...
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AutoBlot 3000H Installation Instructions 1. Carefully unpack the instrument and inspect for damage that may have occurred during shipping. Save all packaging in the event the instrument needs to be shipped or moved, or if the unit needs to be stored for a long period of time.
Rock Motor routine. 13. Press YES at Check Carriage? Place an AutoBlot 3000H tray onto the platform. Jog the aspirate arm several times then move onto the next prompt and check out the first strip. The aspirate tube and dispense tubes should be fairly well centered over trough one and two.
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Installation Instructions (cont) 24. Press YES at Check Thermistors? At the tray temperature prompt, place your fingers over the thermistor used to measure the tray temperature. The temperature should start at room temperature and gradually climb. After pressing Enter, the bottle heater will turn on and the display temperature should increase.
By accepting authorization to return this product, the user assumes all responsibility and liability for biological, chemical, and radiological decontamination and cleaning. MedTec, Inc., reserves the right to refuse delivery of products that do not appear to have been properly decontaminated. If the product was used with radioactive material, the signature of the Radiation Safety Office is required.
Appendix C AutoBlot 3000H Tubing Kit Instructions...
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Complete Tubing Kit for the AutoBlot 3000H The Complete Tubing Kit contains pump, dispense, aspirate, and bottle tubing for the AutoBlot 3000. The tubing in these kits is cut to the proper length and marked for proper alignment. NOTE: Proper tube lengths and installation are critical for proper performance of the arm assembly.
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AutoBlot 3000H Tubing Kit Instructions (cont) Replace the Dispense Tubing Now replace the dispense arm tubing for Pump 1. Make sure you compare the length of each tube that you replace with the length of the new tube you are installing. These lengths are critical in order for the arm mechanism to operate smoothly.
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AutoBlot 3000H Tubing Kit Instructions (cont) Replace the Bottle Tubing Replace the Pump 1 bottle tubing. NOTE: Included with your kit are clear tubing straws that can be attached to the end of the tubing that goes into the bottles. These straws help the tubing stay down in the bottle and make it easier to insert the tubing into the small bottles.
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AutoBlot 3000H Tubing Kit Instructions (cont) After exercising the tubing, make sure the tubing is in the center of the pump rotor. If the tubing is too long, it will move towards the edge of the rotor and the rotor will wear a hole in the tubing at the point of contact.
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Attachment 1 AutoBlot 3000H Service QC Checklist 7102-F02.01.000...
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