Hardware problems

About this topic

This topic lists possible hardware problems, the causes of the problems, and ways to resolve the problems. If you are still experiencing problems with the BenchCel Microplate Handler after trying the solutions, contact Automation Solutions Technical Support.

Hardware problems

 

Problem	Cause	Solution
The BenchCel Microplate Handler does not turn on.	Your lab does not meet the electrical requirements.	Make sure your lab meets the electrical requirements. See Verifying laboratory requirements.
	The BenchCel Microplate Handler is not connected to the power source.	Connect the BenchCel Microplate Handler to the power source. See Connecting the power source.
	The fuse is blown.	See Replacing the fuse. A bad fuse could be indicative of other problems. If the fuse blows again, contact Automation Solutions Technical Support.
A hissing sound can be heard.	A leak is present in the air connection or inside the device.	Check the air connections at the back of the device and at the source (house, cylinder, or pump). If the connections look fine, the leak might be inside the device. Contact Automation Solutions Technical Support.
Oil is present in the stacker head.	The compressed air is not from an oil-free compressor and oil has leaked into the BenchCel Microplate Handler.	Contact Automation Solutions Technical Support.
The microplate drops from the robot grippers.	The labware definition for the microplate type might contain incorrect information.	Check the following in the labware definition: Stacker gripper offset, Robot gripper offset, Stacking thickness, Plate thickness, Sensor intensity, and the Plate presence threshold. To check or correct these values, open BenchCel Diagnostics. On the Controls page, click the Labware tab. Note: In the Plate offsets (mm) area, type 8 in the Robot gripper offset and the Stacker gripper offset boxes. The recommended offset for most labware is 8 mm. If the problem persists, contact Automation Solutions Technical Support.
The microplate drops or is held loosely by the stacker grippers.	The stacker gripper pressure is too low so that the grippers are holding the microplate too loosely.	Increase the stacker gripper pressure. See Adjusting the stacker gripper pressure.
The microplate bends when held by the stacker grippers.	The stacker gripper pressure is too high so that the grippers are holding the microplate too tightly.	Decrease the stacker gripper pressure. See Adjusting the stacker gripper pressure.
The BenchCel Microplate Handler is unable to place a microplate on the target location correctly.	• The teachpoint is incorrect. • The robot and the platepad are not aligned along the y‑axis (front-to-back direction), see “Integrating external devices” on page 38 to adjust the device positions. • The robot grippers and the robot arms are not properly aligned. • The robot homing offsets require adjustment.	Verify and edit the teachpoint. See Verifying the teachpoints and Editing existing teachpoints. If you suspect that one of the other factors is responsible for improper microplate placement, contact Automation Solutions Technical Support.
A high-pitched sound can be heard when the robot moves up or down.	The z‑axis lacks lubrication.	Contact Automation Solutions Technical Support.
The rack-release button does not turn green and the labware rack cannot be removed.	The stack of microplates are still loaded.	In BenchCel Diagnostics, click the Controls tab. In the graphical display area at the top of the rack, click Stacker, and then choose Unload plates.
More than one microplate was downstacked.	The Plate present reading is below the Plate presence threshold.	Use the procedure in Setting sensor thresholds to adjust the threshold values.
The stack of microplates is dropped onto the shelf during the downstacking procedure.	In the shelf stack-holding method, the stacker gripper offset is too low. So the distance between the grippers and shelves is large.	Open BenchCel Diagnostics. On the Controls page, click the Labware tab. Increase the Stacker gripper offset. See Changing labware parameters.

Related information

 

For information about…	See…
BenchCel Microplate Handler component names	Hardware overview
Software error messages	Software error messages
Diagnosing problems	Diagnostic tools
Adjusting the plate-orientation sensors	Setting sensor thresholds
Checking and adjusting the stacker gripper pressure (internal air pressure)	Adjusting the stacker gripper pressure
Reporting problems to Agilent Technologies	Reporting problems