Verifying laboratory requirements

Laboratory space

Laboratory table or bench requirements

Make sure the table for the BenchCel Microplate Handler has the following:

•	Proximity to power and air sources

•	Enough space to accommodate the complete configuration of the BenchCel Microplate Handler, computer, monitor, pendant, and integrated devices.

•	Enough strength to support the weight of the BenchCel Microplate Handler and integrated devices without excessive shaking or movement.

•	Be fixed in place, for example, casters that lock.

•	Sufficient clearance on the back side of the BenchCel Microplate Handler to access power, communication, and air tubing connections and for maintenance tasks.

•	Proper height for any operator to comfortably operate the BenchCel Microplate Handler

The table must be level in the direction of the width and the depth of the platform. Using a traditional bubble level, the table should be leveled such that the bubble is centered between the two limit lines of the level.

The table surface must have a thickness relative to the material that will prevent warping when the BenchCel Microplate Handler and computer are set upon the table.

The table surface must be attached to the table frame.

The table frame must have:

•	A leveling mechanism in the feet or casters.

•	Dimensions that enable support of the table surface without overhang.

Space requirements

The minimum space requirements for your BenchCel Microplate Handler depends on its configuration and labware rack size. The following table lists dimensions for a BenchCel Microplate Handler in a two-, four-, or six-stack configuration.

 

Dimension	Two stacks	Four stacks	Six stacks
Height, device without Risers	46.3 cm	46.3 cm	46.3 cm
Height, device with Risers (146-mm)	60.8 cm	60.8 cm	60.8 cm
Labware rack height* (250‑mm, 660‑mm, 860‑mm)	—	—	—
Width	43.2 cm	86.4 cm	129.5 cm
Depth	20.3 cm	20.3 cm	20.3 cm
Weight, approximate** without rack with rack (660 mm, front-loading)	28 kg 32.5 kg	39.5 kg 48.6 kg	51 kg 64.6 kg

*Approximately 30‑mm of the rack height sits down inside the BenchCel stacker head. The overall height of a BenchCel device on risers with racks installed is as follows:
82.8 cm (250‑mm rack)
126.0 cm (660‑mm rack)
1438 cm (860‑mm rack)

See the following figure.

**The rack weight is for the front-loading style rack and does not include liquid-filled microplates. The weight differs slightly between the top-loading and front-loading rack types.

Figure. Example of BenchCel on risers with six stacks showing height requirements of 250-mm, 660-mm, and 860-mm racks

 

Addition of devices

If you are integrating an Agilent Technologies device or third-party device with your BenchCel Microplate Handler, make sure you include adequate space to accommodate these devices. See the device user documentation for space requirement information.

Electrical requirements

The BenchCel Microplate Handler has the following power requirements. For power requirements of other devices in an integrated workstation, see the applicable device user documentation.

 

Utility	Requirement
Electrical	100–240 V~, 50/60 Hz
Operating AC current	5 A at 120 V~, 2.5 A at 240 V~
Fuse	5 A, 250 V, 5 × 20 mm, fast acting

Compressed air requirements

The BenchCel Microplate Handler requires the use of clean, dry, compressed air to move pneumatic components inside the device. The compressed air can be from the following sources:

•	Centralized source (house)

•	Compressed-air cylinders

•	Portable pumps

 

CAUTION Using oil compressors can cause oil to leak into the BenchCel Microplate Handler and void your warranty.

 

CAUTION Air pressure greater than 0.69 MPa (100 psi) can damage the BenchCel Microplate Handler

To maintain the desired air supply in the device, the BenchCel Microplate Handler requires a source of air as follows:

 

Requirement	Value
Quality	Clean, dry, compressed
Flow rate	34.0 Lpm (1.2 cfm)
Pressure	0.65–0.69 MPa (95–100 psi)

Environmental requirements

The lab must meet the following environmental requirements.

Requirement	Value
Ambient temperature	5–40 °C
Humidity condition	10–90% RH, non-condensing
Elevation	1–2000 m

Make sure the BenchCel Microplate Handler is located away from the following:

•	Heat and air conditioning ducts.

•	Direct sunlight.

Computer requirements

The requirements of the controlling computer depend on the lab automation software you are using. For VWorks software computer requirements, see the VWorks software release notes or the Automation Solutions Knowledge Base at www.agilent.com/chem/askb. For third-party automation software, see the user documentation supplied with the product.

Networking considerations

The supplied computer comes with a serial port and two Ethernet ports. You can connect the computer to the BenchCel Microplate Handler using either the serial port or one of the Ethernet ports. You can use the second Ethernet port to connect the computer to your local area network (LAN). You must provide an Ethernet cable for the LAN connection and make sure the lab has the proper network hookups for the connection.

If you are supplying your own computer, consider whether you will:

•	Connect the computer to the BenchCel Microplate Handler using a serial or Ethernet connection.

•	Connect the computer to your LAN.

 

WARNING Connecting the BenchCel Microplate Handler to a company or general network can potentially cause injury. Remote computer operators might accidentally initiate an operation that causes the robot to move unexpectedly, possibly injuring nearby lab personnel.

If you plan to connect the computer to the BenchCel Microplate Handler and to your company’s LAN, the computer might require two Ethernet cards. Two Ethernet cards allow the BenchCel Microplate Handler to operate on an isolated network.

Related information

 

For information about…	See…
Lab requirements for external devices	External device user documentation
Unpacking the BenchCel Microplate Handler	Unpacking the BenchCel Microplate Handler
Contacting technical support	Reporting problems
Installing the BenchCel Microplate Handler	Installation workflow