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6.5. Priming the pumps
Before samples can be pipetted and reagents can be dosed, the Autosampler III needs to be primed.
The priming routine in the Autosampler III ensures that no air is present inside the tubing connecting the liquid
containers to the pump and the pump to either the dispense manifold or the pipetting needle.
As mentioned, correct priming is needed to avoid air within the tubing. Please see an example of correct and
incorrect tubing below.
Note: a tiny air bubble may form. This is not an issue if the bubble creates a small air gap between the two
parts of liquid.
Correct tubing (little to no air bubbles)
Incorrect tubing (significant amount of air)
6.5.1. Checklist prior to start priming the pumps
Before priming the pumps, check the following parts:
•
Sample boxes should be removed from the Autosampler III's conveyor belt.
•
Plates should be removed from:
–
Underneath the destacker
–
Within the pipetting cabin (where samples are dispensed, and reagents are added)
–
The shaker
–
The outfeed-turn module
•
Moving parts of the Autosampler III should not be blocked. Such as:
–
Pipetting arm
–
Pipetting channels
•
All doors should be closed and locked.
•
Emergency buttons need to be unpressed.
•
Autosampler III should be initialized and ready.
•
The tubing of both the ATX and buffer pump should be connected to the corresponding reagent
bottles (Chapter 6.12)
•
Reagents should be filled.
•
Pipetting pumps tubing should be connected to the washing container for pipetting.
•
Washing pump tubing should be connected to the washing container for was station.
