Antec Scientific VT-03, User Manual, Page: 21 / 36

CHAPTER 3 Installation 21
VT-03 micro flow cell
The micro flow cell is assembled properly when it arrives. The force on the
bolts is pre-set to 13 Ncm
(“a little bit beyond fingertight”). Familiarise yourself
with this force, since over-tightening of the bolts strongly deteriorates the S/N
ratio and eventually the cell itself. Also, be aware that the black marks on
both blocks should be in line. This ensures the best performance.
Assembling the micro flow cell
The VT-03 micro flow cell has an 0.7 mm WE and is equipped with a 25 µm
spacer. Older models of the VT-03 micro are equipped with a metal centring
ring. In that case both blocks (WE and inlet block) have an edge/groove to
facilitate the metal ring and are fixed in the metal ring to align the inlet in the
centre of the WE.
Fig. 13. Disassembled VT-03 micro flow cell with spacer. Note: new VT-
03 micro cells purchased after 2009 are delivered without metal centring
ring and have no groove in WE and inlet block.
To assure proper installation and optimal performance please follow the
instruction below for assembling of a VT-03 micro flow cell. It is also strongly
advised to assemble normal VT-03 flow cells (2 mm and 3 mm GC) using a
similar procedure.
Mounting the cell in another manner may lead to damage of the spacer
and flow cell blocks. For cells without metal centring ring discard/skip
the sections in the procedure related to placement of the centring ring.