SpectraMax M2 and M2e Microplate Reader User Guide
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Computer Integration
Each Molecular Devices microplate reader is shipped with a license key for the SoftMax® Pro
Data Acquisition and Analysis Software that you install on the computer that you use to
operate the instrument. The SoftMax Pro Software provides integrated instrument control,
data display, and statistical data analysis.
You should install the SoftMax Pro Software on the computer before you set up the
instrument. Please be aware that some updates to the SoftMax Pro Software require a
purchase. Contact Molecular Devices before you update the software. To download the
latest version of the software, visit:
Note:
For information about the computer specifications that are required to run the
software, the software installation and licensing instructions, and the directions to
create the software connection between the computer and the instrument, see the
SoftMax Pro Data Acquisition and Analysis Software Installation Guide
.
To prevent data loss, turn off all sleep and hibernation settings for the hard disk, the CPU,
and the USB ports. Disable automatic Windows updates. Update Windows manually when
you do not use the computer to control an instrument. You can set these options in
Windows Control Panel.
Supported Plates and Cuvettes
The instrument accommodates both plates and cuvettes.
Note:
The supplied plate adapter is required for some applications. See
.
Supported Plates
You can use 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, and 384-well plates that conform to ANSI/SBS standard
microplate footprint and dimensions in the instrument. The plate list in the software includes
half area and low- volume plates. The software enables you to define a new plate type based
on the manufacturer's specifications for well size, spacing, and distance from the plate edge.
Use polystyrene plates for absorbance wavelengths above 340 nm.
To allow transmission of the deep UV spectra when you do a read at wavelengths below
340 nm, you must use special UV-transparent plates or quartz plates.
Endpoint, Kinetic, Spectrum, and Well Scan read types are available for the Absorbance
and Fluorescence read modes with any plate model.
Top reads are available for the Fluorescence read mode for the SpectraMax M2. Top and
bottom reads are available for the Fluorescence read mode for the SpectraMax M2e.
