CFX Automation System II Instruction Manual Catalog #184-5075
Bio-Rad Technical Support For help and technical advice, please contact the Bio-Rad Technical Support department. In the United States, the Technical Support department is open Monday–Friday, 5:00 AM–5:00 PM, Pacific time. http://www.bio-rad.
Bio-Rad Laboratories Resources Bio-Rad provides many resources for scientists, including rich technical resources on a wide variety of methods and applications related to PCR, real-time PCR, and gene expression. Table 1 lists available resources and how to locate what you need. Table 1. Bio-Rad resources. Resource How to Contact Local Bio-Rad Laboratories Find local information and contacts on the Bio-Rad website (www.bio-rad.
Instrument Safety Warnings The warning labels shown in Table 4 are displayed on the instrument and refer directly to the safe use of the CFX Automation System II. Table 4. Instrument safety warning labels. Warning about risk of harm to body or equipment. Risk of puncture injury. Keep clear of plate handler when in operation. Operating the CFX Automation System II before reading this manual can constitute a personal injury hazard.
n n EN 61326-1:2006 (Class A) Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control and Laboratory Use. EMC requirements, Part 1: General requirements UL 61010-1:2012 Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use, Part 1: General requirements This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Table of Contents Chapter 1. CFX Automation System II Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 CFX Automation System II Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 CFX Automation System II Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 CFX Automation System II Hardware Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Software Installation . . . . . . . . .
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1 CFX Automation System II Installation Read this chapter for information about installing the CFX Automation System II.
Chapter 1: CFX Automation System II Installation Table 6. CFX Automation System II part details. Part Function Arm Reach axis. Moves horizontally 11.25 in (28.5 cm) to 19.75 in (50.1 cm) from tower Wrist Rotates plate to appropriate position (270° rotation) Gripper assembly Gripper fingers open and close to grasp and release the plate Tower Vertical axis.
Chapter 1: CFX Automation System II Installation Minimum Computer Requirements A computer with either Windows 7 or Windows 8 operating system is required to run CFX Automation Control Software version 2.0 or higher. The software package must be installed on the computer by a user with administrative privileges. Note: CFX Manager™ Software version 3.1.1620 or higher must be installed before installing CFX Automation Control Software.
Chapter 1: CFX Automation System II Installation Space Requirements The CFX Automation System II must be assembled on a sturdy, level lab bench. The benchtop must be sturdy enough to support the weight of the computer, the plate handler, and the CFX System(s) without sagging. An uneven surface will result in misalignment of the automation system. Ensure there are sufficient electrical outlets available for the plate handler, CFX System(s) and the computer.
Chapter 1: CFX Automation System II Installation Position the Mounting Plate and Plate Handler Position the mounting plate on the bench such that the two holes for the plate handler feet are on the right and the beveled edge faces up (Figure 3). Lift the plate handler and place the two left feet inside the designated holes on the mounting plate. The barcode scanner should be located in the front left. WARNING! The plate handler weighs 110 lb (50 kg). Do not lift the plate handler by the arm.
Chapter 1: CFX Automation System II Installation Install the CFX System(s) 1. Install the CFX System(s) in the desired positions. ■■ ■■ ingle CFX System. Align the right side feet of the CFX System in the mounting plate S such that the CFX System front panel is facing forward (Figure 2) ual CFX Systems. Align the front feet of the CFX Systems in the mounting plate such D that the CFX Systems’ front panels are facing the plate handler (Figure 2) 2.
Chapter 1: CFX Automation System II Installation Fig. 6. Bubble level in CFX System block. 1. Place bubble level in the center of the CFX System(s) block (Figure 6). Note where the bubble is within the level. 2. Lift the plate handler arm up high enough to access the tower opening. Place the level inside the center of the plate handler tower (Figure 7). Compare the position of the bubble to its position when placed on the CFX System block.
Chapter 1: CFX Automation System II Installation 3. Turn the securing nut down toward the bench until it rests against the adjusting nut (Figure 8). Repeat on all four foot assemblies. Tip: Have one person slightly lift the corner of the instrument while another person turns the securing nut. WARNING! The plate handler arm may swing when the instrument is lifted. Take precautions to avoid injury. Base Securing nut Screw threads Adjusting nut Foot Fig. 8. Foot assembly. 4.
Chapter 1: CFX Automation System II Installation 4. Place the rack locator notch under the lip of the rack position (Figure 9). 5. Maintain the placement of the rack under the lip while you lean the rack backward and snap it into place against the locator pin. Locator pin LIp Locator notch Fig. 9. Rack securing position. 6. Before releasing the rack, make sure it is firmly secured under the lip by gently pulling it toward you. Release gently in order to maintain the proper position.
Chapter 1: CFX Automation System II Installation 3. Connect the power cord to the receptacle on the back of the plate handler (Figure 10). 4. Plug the plate handler AC power cord into a grounded 100 V, 120 V, or 240 V outlet. 5. Plug the computer AC power cord and the computer monitor AC power cord into appropriate power outlet. WARNING! Plug the power cord into a properly grounded outlet only. Use only a standard IEC 60320-style power cord appropriate for your country.
Chapter 1: CFX Automation System II Installation 7. Click Next for the CP210X USB to UART Bridge Driver Installer. 8. Select radio button I accept this agreement. Click Next. 9. When the software installation is complete, click OK to exit the installation wizard. 10. When completed, the CFX Automation Control Software icon appears on the desktop. Note: To uninstall CFX Automation Control Software from your computer, use the Windows Add/Remove Programs function.
Chapter 1: CFX Automation System II Installation Turn Off Windows Automatic Update Feature When the Windows automatic updating feature is turned on, updates will be automatically installed and the computer will automatically restart. If these Windows automatic updates occur when an automation run is in progress, the run will be stopped and the application will close. No error messages will be displayed.
Chapter 1: CFX Automation System II Installation Fig. 12. Platform configuration window. Home screen on CFX System touch screens. Base serial number is located on this screen. Serial number located on the base of the instrument. Fig. 13. Base serial number locations. Calibrate the Automation System The CFX Automation System II must be properly calibrated during installation. Recalibrate any time the system is moved or CFX Systems are added or removed.
Chapter 1: CFX Automation System II Installation ■■ ■■ ■■ Select Calibrate he calibration wizard will walk you through the steps to calibrate, modify, and accept T each calibration position. At each step, carefully read the instructions presented and perform the required actions. If calibration modification is required, manually adjust the plate handler by moving the arm to the desired location Select Next.
Chapter 1: CFX Automation System II Installation When calibrating the plate handler, always use the same brand and model of PCR plates that will be used in experiments. See Table 7 for a list of plates compatible with the automation system. All plates should be sealed. If both CFX96 and CFX384 Systems are being used, the calibration instructions will indicate which positions should use 96-well and 384-well plates. WARNING! Stand clear of the plate handler arm throughout the calibration process.
Chapter 1: CFX Automation System II Installation 2. When instructed by the software, place the calibration block on top of the rack to be calibrated (Figure 16). The calibration block is larger than a PCR plate and is designed to sit on top of the rack and aid in this calibration position. 3. The top of the rack is properly calibrated when the gripper fingers are perfectly centered on the calibration block (Figure 16). 4.
Chapter 1: CFX Automation System II Installation Position the plate handler arm so the beam illuminates the region slightly above the top of the barcode sticker. It should be illuminating the very bottom of the gripper assembly. Fig. 17. Calibrating the barcode scanner. Calibrate the CFX System(s) 1. Place a sealed plate in the CFX System(s). 2. Keep the CFX System(s) lid(s) open. 3. The gripper assembly will move to the CFX System and stop approximately one inch above the plate.
Chapter 1: CFX Automation System II Installation 6. The plate handler will pick up the plate, place it in rack 1 and then return the plate to the CFX System. Confirm that the plate transitions smoothly between all positions. Once all positions are calibrated, select Save. The application will automatically restart and load the saved calibration. Select Cancel to cancel any modifications that were made to the calibration and restore the previously set calibration values.
Chapter 1: CFX Automation System II Installation 4. Carefully observe the entire test process. Confirm the gripper assembly smoothly picks up and releases plates, the plate is perfectly placed into the CFX System(s) and plates never scrape against the racks. 5. If any of the calibration positions fail, a message will alert you to the failed position. You can instruct the system to continue testing the other positions. 6. When testing is complete, recalibrate the failed positions.
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2 Using the CFX Automation System II Read this chapter for information about using the CFX Automation System II.
Chapter 2: Using the CFX Automation System II Open the CFX Automation Control Software by double clicking the automation system icon. The main software tabs in the CFX Automation Control Software include: ■■ tatus tab. Illustrates the status of the plate lists, the configured CFX System(s), and the S waste rack ■■ Plate list tabs. Named according to the rack on which the source plates are loaded ■■ History tab.
Chapter 2: Using the CFX Automation System II Step 1: Create the Plate List Use the plate list controls (Figure 19) to add plates to a plate list: ■■ ■■ ■■ elect protocol, LIMS, or PrimePCR file — use the dropdown menu or browse function S to select the desired protocol, Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) file, or PrimePCR file. Protocols must be created and saved using CFX Manager Software.
Chapter 2: Using the CFX Automation System II Well A1 Fig. 20. Plate well A1 faces outward.
Chapter 2: Using the CFX Automation System II Canceling an Automation Run To cancel an entire automation run: ■■ Select the plate list window corresponding to the automation run to be canceled ■■ Select Cancel Any plates being cycled in a CFX System originating from that plate list will be canceled. The plate handler will remove the plate(s) from the CFX System(s) and place them in the waste rack. The automation run will be completely stopped.
Chapter 2: Using the CFX Automation System II The CFX System instruction manual (bulletin #10021337) explains in detail the steps required to set up LIMS integration. These steps include: ■■ ■■ ■■ Setting up a LIMS folder and data export options reating a LIMS file (*.plrn) using the provided CFX96™ or CFX384™ LIMS Plate Import C Template files.
Chapter 2: Using the CFX Automation System II ■■ ■■ ■■ dd multiple LIMS or PrimePCR files to a plate list at once. Select Browse, select A all desired LIMS or PrimePCR files, and select Open. Each LIMS or PrimePCR file will be automatically added as a unique row on the plate list dd multiple rows with the same protocol file but different plate files. Select the desired A protocol file using the dropdown menu or browse button.
Chapter 2: Using the CFX Automation System II Define How the System Should Respond When Unable to Scan Barcodes or Match a Barcodes Table 11 provides an overview of options available for how the system should respond when unable to scan or match a barcode. Table 10. Barcode controls and associated system response.
Chapter 2: Using the CFX Automation System II Entering Barcode Information into a Plate List Barcode information can be entered into the software and applied in a variety of ways, described below. ■■ ■■ ■■ anual entry — select the barcode cell that corresponds to the plate of interest (Figure 19). M Type in barcode information and then press the Enter key.
Chapter 2: Using the CFX Automation System II Plate List Details Plate List Defaults Customize the protocol, LIMS, or PrimePCR file and plate files displayed in the dropdown menu when the application is opened. Because LIMS and PrimePCR files contain both protocol and plate information within the single file, when these files are selected, the Plate File dropdown box is disabled. Data File Destination Directory Specify the location for data files generated by CFX Manager Software.
Chapter 2: Using the CFX Automation System II Emails and Notifications Run Completion Notification When Send Run Completion Notifications is selected, an email containing the data file will be automatically sent at the completion of a run. Enter the desired email address in the text box. Multiple email addresses can be entered by separating each address with a comma. Tip: To receive report files in addition to data files, ensure Generate PDF Report is selected in the Reports tab.
Chapter 2: Using the CFX Automation System II History Tab The History tab contains details of all automation runs completed since the last time the application was opened (Figure 23). You may sort the history information by clicking on any column header. By default, the information is sorted by date. Run history files for automation runs completed in the past can be located using the following file path: C:\Users\Public\Documents\Bio-Rad\CFXAutomationSystem\UserData. Fig. 23. History tab.
3 Resources Read this chapter for information about maintaining and troubleshooting the CFX Automation System II. ■■ Maintenance ■■ Power Outage ■■ Troubleshooting the CFX Automation System II ■■ Frequently Asked Questions Maintenance Cleaning the CFX Automation System II Wipe up any spills immediately. ■■ Avoid direct contact with spilled liquid ■■ Wear protective gloves and safety glasses The outside surfaces of the plate handler should be cleaned periodically.
Chapter 3: Resources Changing the Fuses WARNING! Electrical shock hazard. Disconnect the power cord before changing the fuses. WARNING! For continued fire protection and correct system functioning, replace fuses only with exact part number. To change the plate handler fuses: 1. Verify the plate handler power switch is OFF and the power cord is unplugged from the instrument. 2.
Chapter 3: Resources View Logs The CFX Automation Control Software tracks information about the state of an instrument during an automation run. Use these logs to track events that occur on instruments and in the software, and for troubleshooting. To open the log, select Tools > View Log. Logs are also stored in file folders. The file path to access these files is: C:\ProgramData\Bio-Rad\CFXAutomationSystem\Logs. Error Messages Error messages inform the user of problems requiring immediate attention.
Chapter 3: Resources Table 13. Causes and solutions for a CFX Automation System II not starting up. Possible Cause Solution Power cord not firmly attached Verify power cord is securely seated in receptacles Bad fuse Replace fuse(s). See Changing the Fuses Fuse configuration not correct See Changing the Fuses Frequently Asked Questions Q: Which way should I place my plates in the rack? A: Plates should be placed with well A1 facing outward (Figure 20).
Ordering Information Catalog # Description 184-5075 CFX Automation System II, includes plate handler and barcode scanner, mounting plate, automation software, and manual Real-Time PCR Detection Systems 185-5485 CFX384 Touch Real-Time PCR Detection System, modular thermal cycler platform, includes C1000 Touch Thermal Cycler Chassis, CFX384 Optical Reaction Module, CFX Manager Software, qbase+ Software license, cables 185-5195 CFX96 Touch Real-Time PCR Detection System, modular thermal cycler platform
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