Hamilton Electronics MICROLAB 8534 01 User Manual

®
MICROLAB Carousel  
User Guide  
Part Number 8534-01 (Rev. A)  
June 2003  
®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
About this guide  
About the  
MICROLAB  
Carousel  
This user guide is for instructional and reference purposes. It describes the  
components of the carousel and provides instructions for set up and operation.  
®
The MICROLAB® Carousel (figure 1) is a modular component. The carousel  
is intended for use with the MICROLAB® SWAP application. Multiple units  
can be placed around a MICROLAB® SWAP (Swivel Arm Platehandler) to  
provide additional plate capacity for a MICROLAB® pipetting workstation.  
The carousel provides an integrated solution for increased volume for plate  
based sample processing.  
The carousel works with two platter sizes to address multiple capacity  
requirements. Various SWAP stacks and shelves can sit atop the carousel,  
providing storage of plates and plate sized consumables.  
The carousel can also be used for storage of disposable tips, for some  
applications and instruments.  
MICROLAB® Vector software is used to control the carousel.  
Figure 1: Carousel accessory  
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®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
Safety precautions  
There are four symbols used in this guide.  
The “Warning” symbol contains information that must be followed to prevent personal injury to those  
operating the equipment.  
The “Important” symbol contains information or instructions that must be followed to prevent damage  
to equipment or loss of data.  
The “Note” symbol provides information useful for improving system performance, increasing your  
understanding of the system, or directing you to supplemental information.  
The “Procedure” symbol is followed by a set of installation or operational steps.  
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®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
FCC compliance  
The MICROLAB® Carousel complies with the limits for Class B digital  
devices by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This compliance  
provides reasonable protection against harmful radio communication  
interference during instrument installation and operation.  
The MICROLAB® Carousel generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency  
energy. Hamilton Company cannot guarantee the MICROLAB® Carousel  
against radio or television communication interference. However, if you use  
the instrument as directed, you can limit potential interference.  
If the MICROLAB® Carousel causes any radio or television interference, we  
suggest that you:  
Turn the MICROLAB® Carousel off and on to determine whether it is  
generating the interference.  
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.  
Increase the separation between the MICROLAB® Carousel equipment  
and the receiver.  
Connect the equipment to an outlet on a different circuit than the receiver.  
Contact the instrument dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for  
help.  
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®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
Carousel  
components  
The carousel consists of the carousel platter, carousel housing assembly,  
cables, and hardware for attaching the carousel to a SWAP base plate.  
The carousel platter comes in two sizes, 10 position universal and an 8  
position portrait (figure 2). Each position is numbered.  
Figure 2: Platter sizes  
The carousel housing assembly (figure 3) houses belts, pulleys, motor, and a  
carousel access interface PCB assembly.  
Figure 3: Carousel housing assembly  
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®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
Setting up the  
carousel  
The carousel can be place at the right, left, or front of a ML 4000 base  
instrument. It is integrated with the ML 4000 via a ML SWAP integration kit.  
Carousel housing  
assembly  
If the base plate has not been installed, refer to the “Attaching the base plate to the ML 4000” of the  
ML SWAP/4000 Series Integrated System User Guide (7157-01).  
To install the carousel housing assembly to the base plate:  
1. Place the carousel housing assembly on the base plate, opposite  
the ML SWAP. Position the housing assembly so that the front  
end is near the edge of the base plate. See figure 4.  
Figure 4: Carousel housing on base plate  
2. Determine how close the housing assembly must be to the ML SWAP.  
There are three positions possible represented by three threaded holes  
in each side of the housing assembly (see figure 5).  
Position 1 is closest to the ML SWAP, and Position 3 is the farthest away.  
If you plan to use the shelves on the carousel, you must use Position 3. If  
no shelves will be used, you can use any position, but you may wish to  
use Position 1 to minimize bench space and maximize throughput.  
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®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
3. Secure the carousel base plate brackets (7918-01) to the left and right  
sides of the housing assembly, in the desired position (1, 2, or 3), with  
the washer and screw shown in figure 5.  
4. Align the holes of the brackets to the holes in the ML SWAP base  
plate. Using the screws and washers supplied, secure the brackets to  
the base plates (see figure 5).  
Figure 5: Right and left sides of carousel housing assembly  
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®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
Index bracket platter  
kit  
The carousel comes with an index bracket kit (8488-01 or -02). The index  
bracket is used during calibration.  
To install the index bracket to the carousel housing assembly:  
1. Mount the index bracket (8322-01 or -02) to the right side of the  
carousel housing assembly, using the two screws (8365-01)  
supplied from the index bracket kit. See figure 6.  
2. Mount the index pointer (8383-01 or 8527-01) on to the index  
bracket, using two screws (8375-01) supplied from the index  
bracket kit. See figure 6.  
Figure 6: 8/10 station carousel index bracket components  
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®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
DIP switch setting  
Before connecting the carousel to the PC, the communication settings must be  
checked and, if necessary, adjusted.  
To set the DIP switch settings of the carousel:  
1. Locate the DIP switch on the left side of the carousel housing  
2. Check and, if necessary, set the switch as needed (figure 8). Table 1  
lists the selection options for the switch. Switches 1 through 3  
define the platter size. All other settings beside those shown are  
undefined.  
Switches 4 through 6 define which carousel (up to 8) will be controlled by  
the PC.  
Switches 7 and 8 should be off for most applications.  
Use a screwdriver or a similar tool to adjust the DIP switch settings. A pencil is not advised, as the  
graphite can affect the operation of the carousel.  
Figure 7: DIP switch location  
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MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
Figure 8: DIP switch (Set for 10 position universal platter)  
Table 1. DIP switch selection  
PLATTER SELECT  
SW1-1  
OFF  
ON  
SW1-2  
OFF  
ON  
SW1-3  
OFF  
DESCRIPTION  
8 POSITION PORTRAIT (DEFAULT)  
10 POSITION UNIVERSAL  
OFF  
UNIT IDENTIFICATION  
SW1-4  
OFF  
ON  
SW1-5  
OFF  
OFF  
ON  
SW1-6  
OFF  
OFF  
OFF  
OFF  
ON  
DESCRIPTION  
UNIT 1 (DEFAULT)  
UNIT 2  
OFF  
ON  
UNIT 3  
ON  
UNIT 4  
OFF  
ON  
OFF  
OFF  
ON  
UNIT 5  
ON  
UNIT 6  
OFF  
ON  
ON  
UNIT 7  
ON  
ON  
UNIT 8  
SPARE  
SW1-7  
OFF  
ON  
DESCRIPTION  
(DEFAULT)  
TBD  
FORCED DOWNLOAD  
DESCRIPTION  
(DEFAULT)  
FORCED DOWNLOAD  
SW1-8  
OFF  
ON  
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®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
Connecting cables  
To install the carousel power and communication cables:  
1. Connect the USB cable (4427-02) to the USB port of the carousel  
housing assembly (refer to figure 7).  
2. Connect the other end of the USB cable to one of the USB ports of  
the computer that will be used to operate the carousel.  
3. Plug the power cord into the power outlet in the side of the housing  
assembly. Orient the plug as shown in figure 9. Plug the power  
adapter into a wall outlet.  
The carousel can be controlled via RS-232 instead of USB. If Vector software will be used to control  
the carousel, then USB is preferred.  
Figure 9: Plug orientation  
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®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
Carousel platter  
To install the carousel platter:  
1. Place the carousel platter on top of the carousel housing  
assembly. See figure 10. Align the three holes in the platter with  
the threaded holes in the housing assembly.  
2. Attach the carousel platter to the carousel housing assembly using three  
screws (8372-01), supplied from the index bracket kit, and a 3/32” hex  
wrench.  
Figure 10: Carousel platter  
3. Use an adjustable wrench to adjust the nuts on all the mounting feet  
(7419-01), so the carousel platter is level. See figure 11.  
Do not rotate the carousel platter by hand.  
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®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
Figure 11: Mounting feet locations  
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®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
Operation  
Installing the software  
After your MICROLAB® Carousel hardware is installed, you can install the  
Hamilton MICROLAB® Carousel Software.  
Your MICROLAB® Carousel software comes with an installation wizard that  
guides you through the installation as it copies the program files to your  
computer.  
Before you begin the installation, make sure that you have closed any open  
applications on your PC. Carousel software requires Windows 2000 (with  
service pack 2 or higher) or Windows XP Professional, and 128 MB RAM  
(minimum).  
If installing SWAP software also, and SWAP version is 2.0 or less, SWAP  
software must be installed first.  
To install MICROLAB® Carousel software:  
1. Place the CD labeled “Hamilton MICROLAB® Carousel Software”  
into the CD drive on your PC.  
2. The install program should run automatically. If it does not, select  
Start > Run > (the CD-ROM drive identifier on your PC) \  
Setup.exe. Click the OK button when the prompt appears.  
The InstallShield Wizard starts when the Welcome to the InstallShield  
Wizard for Carousel window appears (figure 12).  
Figure 12: Welcome window  
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MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
3. Click Next >. A Question window appears (figure 13) asking whether  
desks icons are desired.  
Figure 13: Question window  
4. Click No. The Instrument Identification window appears. Click Yes  
only if no other Vector components or instruments will be installed.  
5. Click Finish. A Setup Status window appears, and then a Laboratory  
Name window appears.  
6. Type the name of your lab and click Next.  
After MICROLAB® Carousel software has completed its installation, the  
InstallShield Wizard Complete window appears.  
7. Click Finish to exit from MICROLAB® Carousel Setup window.  
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MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
Calibration  
Calibration sets an offset angle from the default initialization position.  
To calibrate the carousel:  
Do not rotate the carousel platter by hand.  
1. Select Start > Programs > Hamilton > Carousel > Service  
Software from the Windows desktop. The Service Software  
window appears.  
2. Select Communication > Connect. A Select Instrument window  
appears.  
3. Select the Carousel and click OK. The File transfer icon (arrows) on  
the tool bar should turn from gray to blue if communications are  
established.  
4. Click on Instruments Carousel > Calibration. The carousel will  
initialize, and a Calibrate Carousel window will appear (figure 14).  
Figure 14: Calibrate Carousel window  
5. Use the left and right arrow keys to rotate the carousel. Each  
keystroke will move the platter the number of degrees shown in the  
window (refer to figure 14). Change that resolution as needed.  
Move the platter until position #1 aligns with the intended plate pickup  
o
position. In most cases this is 90 counter-clockwise from the index  
pointer (figure 15).  
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MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
For the 8-position platter, align the #7 position line with the center line of  
the index pointer.  
For the 10-position platter, align the #9 position line with the center line  
of the index pointer. Then type 18 into the keyboard resolution field, and  
hit the right-arrow key once.  
6. Click OK. A window appears asking you to “Reset instrument  
now”. Unplug the carousel, wait 5 seconds, and plug the carousel  
back in. Wait another 5 seconds, and click OK.  
Figure 15: Calibration alignment  
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®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
Carousel service  
software  
In addition to the Service Software for the ML 4000 series, you can also  
access Carousel Service Software. There are three utilities that can be used to  
troubleshoot the carousel, but which are generally not needed.  
To use the Carousel Service Software:  
1. Select Start > Programs > Hamilton > Carousel > Service  
Software from the Windows desktop. The Service Software  
window appears.  
2. Select Communication > Connect. A Select Instrument window appears.  
3. Select the Carousel and click OK. The File transfer icon (arrows) on  
the tool bar should turn from gray to blue if communications are  
established.  
4. Click on Utilities > Analyze log. This brings up the log viewer window.  
You can use this to open log files for interpretation. Most often, the log  
files are use by Hamilton company to analyze hardware problems.  
5. Click File > Exit to return to the Service Software window.  
6. Click on Utilities > File Transfer. The File Transfer Utility window  
appears. This utility is used to download firmware and retrieve log  
files from the carousel. You must know the checksum of the new  
firmware to use this feature. Contact Hamilton Company for more  
information.  
7. Click the Exit button to return to the Service Software window.  
8. Click on Utilities > Version Numbers. A version numbers window  
appears. Use this utility to verify that the carousel firmware is current.  
9. Click OK to return to the Service Software window.  
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MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
Writing a method  
To access the Hamilton method editor:  
1. Double-click the MICROLAB® Method Editor icon on your  
desktop. The Hamilton Method Editor window appears.  
2. Select File > New. Assign a name to your new method, and click  
Save.  
3. The screen will show a cluster of General command icons on the left  
and a blank method on the right (figures 16). No instrument specific  
commands are immediately available. You need to select an  
instrument from the Hamilton Method Editor window.  
Figure 16: Hamilton Method Editor - Carousel.med window  
4. Select Method > Instruments from the Hamilton Method Editor  
window. The Instruments window appears (figure 17).  
5. Click on the check box for the Carousel and click OK. The  
Hamilton Method Editor appears (figure 18), but now it has a set of  
instrument commands for the carousel.  
6. Click on the instrument command bar (Carousel). The command set  
for that instrument will appear (figure 19).  
Now it is possible to write a complete method by dragging commands to the  
white blocks in the method window.  
Refer to the MICROLAB Vector software user manual for more information regarding the software in  
general.  
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MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
Figure 17: Instruments window  
Figure 18: Hamilton Method Editor with Carousel command bar  
Figure 19: Method Editor with instrument icons command set  
19  
     
®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
Carousel commands  
There are two commands associated with the carousel.  
Initialize  
Use this command to initialize the carousel.  
Move To Position  
This command rotates the carousel around to the position set in the  
parameter dialog box (figure 20). The carousel will rotate in the shortest  
direction.  
Figure 20: Move to Position Parameters window  
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®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
Using the serial  
interface  
The carousel can be run via the serial interface rather than the USB interface.  
The carousel can then be controlled by the general serial port commands in  
Vector, by other software utilities such as Hyperterminal, or by customer-  
specific software interfaces.  
A “straight-through” cable, such as Hamilton part number 36786, is required.  
Table 2 shows some examples of carousel commands that can be used in  
serial mode. For the Move command, “w60” asks for the position to move to,  
“3” sets the position to position 3, and “x61” moves the carousel to the set  
position.  
Command type  
Initialize  
Send  
0x60<CR>  
Receive  
0r4<CR><LF>  
0r4<CR><LF>  
0r,3<CR><LF>  
Move  
0w60, 3x61<CR>  
0q61<CR>  
Query position  
Table 2. Example commands for the serial interface.  
Notes:  
For invalid commands, an error code is returned. Refer to table 3 on  
page 25 (“Troubleshooting”).  
The positions are hexadecimal (for example, position 10 is 'a').  
The maximum number of positions is set by the DIP switch on the  
housing assembly. Refer to table 1 on page 9.  
If a move command is sent before the instrument is initialized, the  
instrument will first initialize, and then the carousel will move to the  
designated position.  
The instrument must be calibrated via USB and service software. See  
For more information, please contact Hamilton Company.  
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®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
Installing portrait  
stackers and shelves  
To install a stacker or shelf:  
1. Line up the hole in the base and the notched corners of the stacker  
or shelf with a set of three guide pins on the carousel.  
2. Rest the stacker or shelf on the platter (figures 21).  
Figure 21: Portrait stackers and shelf  
Installing landscape  
stackers  
To install a landscape stacker on the 10-position carousel:  
1. Line up the middle of the landscape stacker with numbered  
position line on the carousel (see figure 22).  
2. Rest the stacker on the platter (figure 23).  
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®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
Figure 22: Location of numbered position line  
Figure 23: Landscape stackers  
23  
   
®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
Maintenance  
Maintenance of the carousel will assure its long-term operation.  
General  
Wipe up spills as soon as possible. Clean according to the applicable  
MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) or laboratory SOP (Standard  
Operating Procedures).  
No field lubrication is required.  
Motor, belts, and electronics are serviced by Hamilton Company  
Technical Service personnel.  
24  
®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
Troubleshooting  
In the event of an error during run time, click on the Help button (if  
available). The message should provide some clues to the cause of the error  
and a possible remedy. If not, try to reproduce the error, record the error code  
and message, and notify Hamilton Company Technical Service. See  
lists the most common error conditions for the carousel and the associated  
corrective actions.  
Table 3. Common error conditions  
Error code  
Ox5E 8001  
Possible cause  
Unable to initialize  
Unable to initialize  
Motion not detected  
Corrective action  
Contact Hamilton Service  
Contact Hamilton Service  
Ox5E 8002  
Ox5E 8003  
Bad sensor; contact  
Hamilton Service  
Ox5E 8004  
Motor stalled  
Remove obstacles. Avoid  
moving platter by hand  
during motion.  
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®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
Specifications  
Carousel  
Parameter  
Specification  
24V @ 2 Amps maximum  
100 - 200V~, 50-60Hz 1A  
RS-232 or USB  
Power requirements  
Power Supply  
Communication type  
Operating  
o
o
o
o
Temperature  
Relative Humidity  
5 to 40 C (41 to 104 F)  
10% to 90% non-condensing  
Storage  
Speed  
o
o
o
o
Temperature  
Relative Humidity  
-20 to 70 C (-4 to 158 F)  
10% to 90% non-condensing  
Maximum 10 seconds to rotate to any  
position (Typical 4 seconds).  
Altitude (Maximum)  
CSA Certification  
2000 m (6562 ft.)  
Installation category  
Pollution degree  
II  
2
CE Approval  
Safety  
IEC 1010-1  
(1990)  
IEC 1010-1/A1 (1992)  
IEC 1010-1/A2 (1995)  
EMC  
EN 61326-1  
(1997)  
Carousel housing assembly  
Dimensions:  
Length  
Width  
Height  
14.63" (371.6mm)  
20.50" (520.7mm)  
3.60" (91.4mm)  
Weight  
11.3 lb. (5.1 kg)  
Carousel 8 position platter  
Dimensions:  
Diameter  
Thickness  
20.717" (526.2mm)  
0.313" (8mm)  
Weight  
10 lb. (4.5kg)  
Carousel 10 position platter  
Dimensions:  
Diameter  
Thickness  
25.5" (647.7mm)  
0.375" (9.5mm)  
Weight  
17.7 lb. (7.9kg)  
Indoor Operation and Use Only  
26  
®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
Figure 24: Overhang distance of platters from SWAP  
base plate (refer to figure 5 for bracket positions)  
27  
®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
Parts and  
accessories  
Cable  
Part Number  
Description  
4833-01  
6541005  
36786  
Power adapter  
Power cord  
RS-232 cable  
USB cable, 3m  
4427-02  
Shelves and stackers  
Part Number  
Description  
180052  
6913-01  
180050  
Shelf, Portrait  
Stacker, Landscape  
Stacker, Portrait  
Software  
Part Number  
9266-01  
Description  
®
CD, MICROLAB Carousel Software  
®
4060-01  
CD, MICROLAB Vector Software  
Manuals  
Part Number  
8534-01  
Description  
®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide  
®
7157-01  
5606-01  
MICROLAB SWAP/4000 Series Integrated System User Guide  
®
MICROLAB Vector Software User Manual  
28  
®
MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
Contacting Hamilton Company  
In the United States  
and Canada  
Hamilton Company • 4970 Energy Way • Reno, Nevada 89502  
Phone  
Customer Service:  
Technical Service:  
Instrument Service:  
800.648.5950 (7 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT)  
800.648.5950 (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT)  
800.527.5269 (24 hours)  
Fax:  
775.856.7259  
E-mail:  
tech@hamiltoncompany.com  
sales@hamiltoncompany.com  
service@hamiltoncompany.com  
URL  
Outside the U.S. and  
Canada  
Phone:  
Fax:  
775.858.3000  
775.856.7259  
E-mail:  
tech@hamiltoncompany.com  
sales@hamiltoncompany.com or  
service@hamiltoncompany.com  
URL:  
In Switzerland  
Hamilton Bonaduz AG • Ch-7402 • P.O. Box 26 • Bonaduz, Switzerland  
Phone:  
Fax:  
41.81.660.60.60  
41.81.660.60.70  
E-mail:  
itech@bonaduz.hamilton.ch  
hamopd@bonaduz.hamilton.ch  
URL:  
29  
 
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MICROLAB Carousel User Guide (June 2003)  
30  

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