Instruction Manual Cast-It™ Gel CASTER
VWR_v0617_E
4
TROUBLESHOOTING
Below are some possible solutions to potential problems. If these suggestions are unsuccessful, do not
hesitate to contact us (see 'TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND ORDERING INFORMATIONS').
Problem
Cause
Solution
Leakage of gel
solution
Glass plates and spacers have
not been aligned correctly
For correct alignment of glass plate sandwich it is necessary
to place the upper buffer chamber on top of the inverted
casting base. The bottom of the glass plates and the spacers
need to sit flat on the acrylic squares.
Glass plates or spacers are
dirty
Clean thoroughly.
Uneven edges of glass plates Only use glass plates with polished edges.
Silicone gaskets of casting
base are dirty
Clean thoroughly with a mild detergent and rinse with
distilled water, dry without leaving smearing, i.e. air dry with
a non-smearing paper or washleather.
Silicone gaskets of casting
base are brittle
Replace silicone gaskets which can be easily removed. New
gaskets will stick due to their own adherence. Also, wet
silicone mats with e.g. water or buffer before placing the
center unit onto the casting base to prolong their life span.
Skewed bands
Gel has not polymerized
properly at wells.
De-gas gel solution before casting and increase APS and
TEMED concentrations. The comb can be wiped with TEMED
just prior to casting to improve polymerization.
Resolving gel is uneven at top. Overlay gel carefully using water saturated n-butanol and
make sure casting stand is level.
The upper buffer chamber is
leaking either through the gel
or along the side spacers.
Check gel to make sure that it is a solid slab inside the glass
and check the setup of the apparatus to ensure a seal with
the gasket. Always use combs and spacers of the same
thickness.
'Frowning' of
outside lanes
Leakage of buffer along sides
or along spacers inside the gel
assembly.
Do not move spacer after polymerisation of gel. Make sure
that the glass plates are pressed firmly against the gasket of
the UBC.
Silicone mats wear
out quickly
Sticky surface of the mats
adheres too strongly to the
glass plates. Upon removal of
the center unit silicone mats
are torn apart.
Wet the silicone mats with e.g. water or buffer before placing
UBC onto the casting base to prolong their life span.