Adjusting the stacker gripper pressure

About this topic

This topic explains how to check the stacker gripper pressure (internal air pressure) and how to adjust it.

Stacker gripper pressure

Compressed air is used to move the clamps that open and close the labware rack grippers and the shelves that level the microplates. See Hardware overview for the location of these components.

Although the required air pressure from your lab is 0.65 to 0.69 MPa (95 to 100 psi), the BenchCel Microplate Handler down-regulates the pressure inside the device.

Typically, no adjustment is required for the internal air pressure. You might want to adjust the pressure when troubleshooting Load Plate problems or when you want to load different labware on the same BenchCel Microplate Handler.

In general, you can set the internal air pressure within the range of 30 to 50 psi. For plates that are flexible and tend to bend, you should decrease the air pressure. For less flexible plates, you can increase the air pressure.

For each plate type or application, you should run optimization tests to determine the best internal pressure setting.

Note: Each stacker has an air pressure sensor, but the air pressure for each pair of stackers is controlled by one regulator.

Before you start

Make sure you turned on the air supply at the source (house, cylinder, or pump).

Checking the internal air pressure

To check the internal air pressure:

1	In BenchCel Diagnostics, click the Controls tab.

2	Click the Jog/Teach tab.

3	In the Stacker Sensors area, check the air pressure value.

 

Adjusting the internal air pressure

To adjust the internal air pressure:

1	At the front of the BenchCel Microplate Handler, lift the magnetic circular cover to gain access to the air-pressure regulator.

Figure. Accessing the BenchCel air-pressure regulator

 

2	Turn the lock nut counterclockwise to unlock the air pressure regulator knob.

Figure. Unlocking the air-pressure regulator

 

3	Turn the air pressure regulator knob. Turning the knob clockwise increases the internal air pressure. Turning the knob counterclockwise decreases the internal air pressure.

Figure. Adjusting the air pressure

 

4	On the Jog/Teach tab, check the air pressure value. A valid air pressure value displays only when the stacker grippers are closed.

Figure. BenchCel Diagnostics Jog/Teach tab

 

5	At the front of the BenchCel Microplate Handler, turn the lock nut clockwise to lock the air-pressure regulator knob. This prevents accidental adjustments.

Figure. Locking the air-pressure regulator

 

6	At the front of the BenchCel Microplate Handler, place the magnetic cover over the air-pressure regulator opening.

Related information

 

For information about…	See…
Air pressure requirements	Compressed air requirements
How to open BenchCel Diagnostics	Opening BenchCel Diagnostics
How to report a problem	Reporting problems
Hardware problems	Hardware problems
Software error messages	Software error messages