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Substrate Length
– Substrates are manufactured to 60 mm in total length. Make sure the substrate sits
flat and is not bowed upward or misplacement on the entry end shelf.
Magnet Strength
– The permanent magnets keep their field strength for an indefinite period. If some
question arises on whether magnet strength is suspect, it can be tested with a Gauss or Tesla meter.
Minimum reading should be 3.0 kilo-Gauss; maximum is 4.0 kilo-Gauss.
Sample Flow Rate
– Sample flow rate should be constant at 0.5 ml per minute. Sample flow timing at the
sensor level is adjustable by increasing or decreasing the time required to pump the sample onto the
substrate. This does not affect the actual flow of sample onto the slide. However, more viscous the fluid,
the longer it may take to pump onto the substrate.
11.8 –PUMP TUBE PINCHING
Air is used to pressurize the sample vial in order to dispense the sample at a given rate onto the sub-
straight. This process uses a peristaltic pump and stepper motor combination to rotate rollers along
silicone tubing. The process controls the rate of .5ml of air flow into the sample vials.
In a situation where the sample is not pumping, two possibilities can exist. One the o-ring seal made with
the sample vial and or sample tube has been damaged, allowing air to escape past the seals. In this case
the o-rings can be replaced with ones from the spare parts kit.
The second situation can occur if a unit has not use for long periods of time. In this instance the silicone
tubing becomes pinched due to the pump rollers sitting in one location and pushing the tubing wall
together. Tube pinching can be freed with the use of Isopropyl Alcohol injected into each pump tube.
Isopropyl Alcohol will have no effect on the internal parts and will evaporate from the pump system.
Follow the procedure outlined to clear the tube blockage caused by pinching.
Pump Tube Clearing Procedure:
1.
Locate the two Luer Lock fitting on the upper side of the back panel. The fitting on either side
correlate to that sample side at the front of the instrument.
2.
With FM program running, select the DIAGNOSTICS TAB.
3.
Using the 3cc syringe provided in the parts kit, draw 3cc of Isopropyl Alcohol into the syringe.
4.
Connect the male Luer Lock tip of the syringe with one of the Female Luer Lock connector on
the back panel.
5.
On the DIAGNOSTICS TAB press the "Motor On" button to turn the peristaltic pump stepper
motor.
6.
Next press the Sample 1 and Sample 2 buttons to open each of the solenoid valves.
7.
Depress the syringe and hold. As the peristaltic pump turns a small amount of alcohol is worked
into the silicone tubing to the pinch point.
8.
Continue for several minute or until the alcohol has been drawn into the pump.
Содержание FM-6
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