Select your instrument from the list above. If they exist, support items for your chosen instrument will then be displayed. We strongly recommend that you update your Instrument operating software to the new version listed below. The software update ensures optimal performance from your Instrument, helps to prevent errors, and provides user-friendly features. Before downloading the protocols, ensure that the instrument software is installed on your computer.
Instrument support. Print Bookmark Share. Select your instrument. Therefore, it is possible to configure runs at a remote location. For customer convenience, sample data can be imported from text-based spreadsheets with flexible options to handle a variety of formats. The reaction list generated by the robot can also be exported as a spreadsheet and loaded into other programs such as the Corbett Rotor-Gene real time PCR software. For further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Corbett Team or your nearest Corbett distributor.
Corbett Robotics Pty. This section covers the unpacking of the CAS, some of its features, such as level sensing, and the accessories that are delivered as standard with your robot.
To unpack the instrument, please follow the instructions provided in the lid of the robot's shipping container. These instructions should also be used when packing the instrument. The packaging must be used if the instrument is to be returned for servicing.
As you unpack the instrument please ensure that the box contents matches the packing list included with the CAS Once the robot is removed from the shipping container and its foam base, the arm support must be removed. To remove the arm support and z-axis locking mechanism, follow these simple steps, 1. Unscrew the screws marked A and B on the locking plate to right of the arm. Slide the arm and pipetting head all the way to right.
Lift the wooden arm support off the table of the robot. Replace the locking plate and screws A and B into the arm support. Look at the robot from the left hand side and identify the z-axis lock screw shown in the picture below.
Secure the removed z-axis locking screw and associated parts into the side of the arm support as shown, store the arm support with the rest of the packaging. The most important components of the packaging are the z-axis lock screw and the wooden arm support.
Failure to do so will void warranty. The cable must be a 3-wire cable as the earthing wire is critical for correct level sensor operation. The serial cable is of the 9-pin male to 9-pin female "straight through" kind. To ensure you are always using the latest Robotics Software please visit the Corbett Robotics website at www. It is the user's responsibility to update software to ensure the instrument operates to the best of its ability. We feel this is the only way to give our users the fastest access to new features.
This of course means that new versions can be released several times per year. These blocks support the tubes that are typically used on the robot. All CAS loading blocks are manufactured from high quality aluminium which is anodised to give the block a hard wearing, durable black finish. The white feet are made from high temperature silicone rubber. They can also be kept in a fridge or freezer before placing them on the robot, thus keeping the tube contents cool.
The blocks can be washed in bleach or water. The blocks delivered as standard with the CAS are only a small sample of the variety of blocks available from Corbett Robotics. For a full list of available blocks and accessories, you can request an up-to-date plate catalogue from your nearest Corbett distributor or look in the Robotics Software under Changing Plate Type for an indication of available blocks.
The second block holds one 5 mL free standing tube and four 1. Both blocks are intended to hold diluent and master mix on the robot's workspace. However, their function can be re-defined if necessary. Typically, the larger tubes are used for reagents and the 16 smaller tubes are used for creating dilution series.
These blocks can be used to hold strip tubes, unskirted or half-skirted PCR plates. The design of this block allows the caps to be locked in position preventing interference with the pipette tip. This block comes with a tube lifter plate which can be placed underneath the block for easy removal of the tubes.
As is the case with manual pipettes, occasionally these need to be serviced to maintain pipetting precision. This kit and its instruction sheet will allow the user or a trained service technician to conduct the pipettor service. Please note that the tips are packaged sterile. Conductive tips allow the CAS to use its level sensor for optimal pipetting precision.
Non-conductive tips can be used on the CAS The use of non-conductive tips affects the pipetting precision of the robot and is hence not recommended for critical applications. This situation will require a pipettor service and thus the use of non-filtered tips is not recommended. Some typical tubes are provided as samples with the instrument.
Please note that the sample tubes provided are not guaranteed sterile. Tubes from different manufacturers, although they might look quite similar, can have significantly different depths and geometries. These variations can influence the calibrations especially height calibrations on the CAS It is recommended that once a particular consumable is chosen, the user always uses that consumable from the same manufacturer to avoid frequent re-calibration.
The sample tubes delivered with the instrument are as follows: 5 mL Free Standing tubes These tubes are typically used to hold diluent and large volumes of master mix.
These tubes are normally supported in the Master Mix Block. However, due to the way tips fall into the box, occasional shaking of the partially filled tip box may be necessary to avoid tips stacking up on the tip ejector chute. Alternative boxes can be used at the user's discretion and may better suit the individual situation. The instrument has a number of significant elements which are shown in the figure below. The off-white paint used on the CAS is two part epoxy paint, which provides a very hard wearing and UV resistant finish.
The paint may yellow slightly over time, and some cleaning solvents may stain the paint. The paint finish has been tested to be resistant against bleach, ethanol, methylated spirits and most liquids commonly used in a laboratory environment. However, all spills of any sort should be wiped up immediately to avoid any damage to the paint. Solvents usually associated with painting such as mineral turpentine, acetone or paint thinners should never be used on the instrument. Due to the hard nature of the paint, sharp objects should never be used on the painted finish as chipping of the paint may occur.
Similarly, dropping heavy items such as master mix and reagent blocks onto painted surfaces is likely to result in chipping. Damage to the painted surface by solvents and incorrect care is not covered by warranty.
The master mix and reagent blocks on the CAS as with most other black components on the instrument such as the table rails are manufactured from Aluminium and anodised black.
The anodising provides a hard durable finish. The black finish may stain if wiped with certain cleaning products. Under no circumstances should the user ever apply any force to the y-arm. It consists of a motor driven backlash-compensated pipetting mechanism. This mechanism is similar to most hand pipettes.
The pipetting head can be dismantled for the purposes of servicing. Do not attempt to slide the instrument on a bench without lifting as damage to the silicone base of the feet may result. Please refer to the lid section for further details. The instrument has a number of moving parts: the X, Y, and Z-axis as well as the pipetting head.
The lid has an electronic interlock to prevent normal operation of the instrument while the lid is open. Use of these connectors is further described in Setting Up. This level sensor relies on conductive tips and allows the robot to automatically detect when the pipette tip is touching liquid within a tube.
The use of the level sensor helps prevent carry-over of material on the outside of the tip. It is capable of detecting very small amounts of liquid see Specifications for further details. It relies on a good earth connection for the robot, typically provided via the cable which connects the robot to mains power. Further, the earth must be free of electrical noise see Troubleshooting for further details.
The level sensor on the CAS operates by detecting the change in capacitance when the tip touches the liquid inside a tube. The sensed capacitance is developed between the liquid in the tube and the metal external to the tube; the smaller the amount of liquid in the tube, the smaller the change in capacitance when the tip touches the liquid. Eventually the detectable change in capacitance "drowns" in electrical noise.
This noise limit defines the minimum amount of liquid that can be sensed see Specifications. The level sensor relies on the liquid being conductive: if a liquid is not conductive, the level sensor cannot sense any change in capacitance. Some liquids which are normally non-conductive can be made slightly conductive by impurities typically salts. These slightly conductive liquids may be detectable by the sensor in volumes significantly larger than the level sensor minimum. In rare circumstances, the robot may need to pipette from wells that contain liquid less than the level sensor limit.
It may be necessary to switch the level sensor off or set the error detection levels differently. It may also become necessary to manually calibrate the plate height closer to the base of the tube. If a PC is supplied by the user, please observe the minimum specifications to run the Robotics Software for a CAS which are listed in the Specifications section.
These operating systems may produce unstable or unreliable software operation. There are a number of places that present significant pinch points. Similarly, do not click on the mouse or keyboard while looking closely at plate calibrations. The lid interlock is disabled during calibration mode, wait until the robot arm has completed its movements before moving any plates or tubes. Please note that the CAS will complete the current action before stopping or pausing.
However, a few points should be observed. Do not subject the robot to repeated temperature cycling. The instrument can be operated in a cool room of consistent temperature. If you have not done so already, please remove the arm support and z-locking screw as discussed in the Unpacking Section. Helpful Hint Positioning the robot close to the left hand edge of a laboratory bench or table will allow tips to be readily ejected out of the robot into a rubbish bin without the use of a tip disposal box.
Please set up the PC according to the manufacturer's instructions, and then follow these steps to connect your CAS With the host PC and robot both switched off; connect the supplied 9-pin serial cable to the instrument.
The serial cable socket is on the rear of the robot as indicated in the diagram below. By default, the software is configured to look for a robot on serial port 1. Upon switching on the robot, the pipetting head should rise out of view. It is important that all screen savers and power save modes are disabled for error free operation of the CAS Robotic Liquid Handling System.
Please consult Microsoft Windows Help on how to disable these. Typically there are two power save modes and one screen saver option important to the installation. The power save modes are those of the monitor and the hard disk drive. Typically these virus scanners make the software run extremely slowly.
Corbett Robotics advises caution when installing the robotics software on computers with virus scanners installed. You can change well format by simply swapping a rotor there are four to choose from with between and wells capacity each. There are many other unique benefits such as up to 6 separate optical channels spanning infra-red to ultra-violet. The LED excitation lights do not fade or burn out like halogen or xenon arc lamps and have a lifetime guarantee.
This, combined with new data analysis methods, reveals more information from each melt than previously possible. SNP genotyping but also works for demanding new applications such as mutation discovery i. To practice HRM, we offer a specially configured Rotor-Gene equipped with a separate optical subsystem, supporting electronics, and HRM analysis software.
Data collection rate is 20 reads averaged and reported per 0. HRM has created many exciting new opportunities for genetic analysis, but to experience the potential of genuine high-precision HRM ask for a Rotor-Gene demonstration.
More info: Visit www.
0コメント