Setting up a Pump Module

About this topic

This topic provides installation instructions for the Pump Module, Tubing Rack, and a reservoir.

The Pump Module transfers fluids into and transfers waste away from a reservoir. You can use the Pump Module with an Auto Filling Reservoir and a Weigh Shelf or with a Tip Wash Station.

Before you start

 

WARNING Before connecting an accessory, shut down the Vertical Pipetting Station to ensure that the power and air are turned off.

 

CAUTION Do not lift the Pump Module by the peristaltic pumps that are mounted on the front of the device. Doing so could damage the Pump Module.

IMPORTANT The Pump Module must be internally configured to specify use with or without a Weigh Shelf. If a configuration change is required, contact Automation Solutions Technical Support.

Make sure you are familiar with the setup workflow. See Setup workflow for autofilling shelf.

Installing the Tubing Rack

To install the Tubing Rack on the Vertical Pipetting Station:

1	Secure the Tubing Rack to the Vertical Pipetting Station left side using the three hex-head screws as the figure shows.

2	Attach the quick-disconnect fittings to the Tubing Rack. To do this, slide the threaded portion of the fitting through a Tubing Rack notch, and screw the nut onto the opposite side of the fitting.

Figure. Tubing Rack installation

 

 

 

Connecting power and communication

Before you begin

•	Ensure that the Pump Module location meets the site requirements.

•	Make sure you have the Pump Module power cord and communications cable.

 

WARNING Ensure that the power cords are in good condition and are not frayed. Use of frayed or damaged power cords can cause injury.

WARNING Ensure that the Pump Module and the associated liquid-handling device, such as the Bravo Platform, are turned off before connecting the cables and routing the tubing.

 

CAUTION Before operating the Pump Module, ensure that the communications cable plug with the EMI filter is connected to the COM IN port. Failure to do so will cause the Pump Module to be non-compliant with the EU Directives for electromagnetic emissions and may cause interference with nearby instruments.

Connecting the cables

To connect the power and communication cables:

1	Ensure that the liquid-handling device and the Pump Module are turned off.

2	Connect the end of the communications cable with the EMI filter to the Pump Module COM IN port, and connect the other end of the cable to the pump I/O port on the liquid-handling device.

Figure. Pump Module communications cable (1) with EMI filter (2)

 

3	To connect multiple Pump Modules, use a second serial cable to connect the COM OUT port on the first Pump Module to the COM IN port on the second Pump Module.

 

CAUTION Ensure that the communications cable plug with the EMI filter is connected to the Pump Module COM IN port.

Repeat this step for each Pump Module that is to be controlled by the same device. Up to eight Pump Modules can be controlled in this manner.

4	Connect the provided power cable to the AC power connector on the back of the Pump Module and into an appropriately grounded electrical receptacle.

5	If you are using a Weigh Shelf, Weigh Station, or Weigh Pad, connect its cable to the SHELF A port on the back of the Pump Module.

Routing the tubing

Before you begin

•	Make sure you are familiar with the input and output ports for the type of reservoir or wash station.

•	Ensure that you have the tubing kit (tubing, connectors, and quick-disconnect fittings) and source and waste bottles.

If you are using a Tip Wash Station (also known as a MicroWash Reservoir), make sure you have the inline pump filter.

The following figure shows a tubing configuration example for a single Pump Module and a Tip Wash Station. The table lists the components shown in the figure.

Figure. Example tubing configuration showing components

 

 

Item	Component	Description
1	Source bottle	Supplies the fill liquid for an autofilling reservoir, such as the Tip Wash Station
2	Waste bottle	Collects the waste liquid that is pumped from the reservoir
3	Tube B	The 8 mm (5/16 in) Marprene tubing Use tube B (larger diameter tubing) for the lengths of tubing in the pump heads and for the gravity drain on an Auto Filling Reservoir.
4	Tube A	The 6.4 mm (4/16 in) Marprene tubing Use tube A (smaller diameter tubing) for the input and output tubing connections to the reservoir and the source and waste bottles.
5	Connector, union	Joins tube A to tube B Over time, the tubing in the pump heads deteriorates and requires replacement. By placing a union connector on either side of the pump head, you can minimize the length of tubing that needs to be replaced.
6	Quick-disconnect fitting	Enables easy removal of an autofilling reservoir, such as the Tip Wash Station The quick-disconnect fittings include an automatic-close valve. Fluid can flow only if a positive connection is made.
7	Inline pump filter	Removes the particulates that can clog the chimneys in the Tip Wash Station As the pump operates, the inside of the tubing sheds particulates that must be filtered downstream to prevent the chimneys from clogging.
8	3-way connector	Enables one tube to branch into two tubes at the input and output ports on an autofilling reservoir, such as the Tip Wash Station

 

WARNING Ensure that the Pump Module and the liquid-handling device are turned off before routing the tubing.

Workflow for routing the tubing

Perform the following procedures in the order given:

 

Step	For this task...	See...
1	Connect tube A (smaller diameter tubing) to the reservoir ports.	To connect tube A to a reservoir:
2	Position tube B (larger diameter tubing) in the pump heads.	To position tube B in the pump heads:
3	Connect tube B from the pump heads to tube A from the reservoir.	To connect Pump Module tube B to the tubing from the reservoir:
4	Connect tube B from the pump heads to tube A from source and waste bottles.	To connect the source and waste bottles to tube B:
5	Auto Filling Reservoir only. Connect a length of tube B from the overflow gravity-drain to a waste bottle.	(Auto Filling Reservoir only) To route the overflow gravity-drain tubing:
6	Complete the Pump Module setup.	To complete the Pump Module setup:

To connect tube A to a reservoir:

1	Place the reservoir on the platepad for the liquid-handling device.

Vertical Pipetting Station only. Place the reservoir on the shelf, and then skip to step 3.

2	Using the following figure as a guide, route the tubing as follows for a reservoir with two input ports and two output ports:

a

Fill (input). Cut three lengths of tube A. Two lengths of tubing are for the measured distance from the reservoir ports (1) to a 3-way connector (2). The third length of tubing is for the distance between the 3-way connector and either a quick-disconnect fitting (3) or tubing connector (not shown). Connect the tubing.

b

Empty (output). Cut three lengths of tube A. Two lengths of tubing are for the measured distance from the reservoir output ports (4) to a 3-way connector (2). The third length of tubing is for the distance between the 3-way connector and either a quick disconnect fitting or tubing connector. Connect the tubing.

Note: If the reservoir has one output port, cut one length of tube A for the output tubing.

Figure. Example tubing configuration for a Tip Wash Station: (1) input ports, (2) 3-way connectors, (3) quick-disconnect fittings, and (4) output ports

 

Note: The liquid enters the Tip Wash Station through the two lower input ports and flows up through the chimneys. The overflow of the chimneys flows out through the two upper output ports.

3	Vertical Pipetting Station only. Using the following figure as a guide, route the tubing from the reservoir to the Tubing Rack (1) as follows:

Figure. Example tubing configuration for Vertical Pipetting Station with Tip Wash Station

 

a	Fill (input). Cut three lengths of tube A: two for the measured distance from the reservoir input ports (2) to the 3-way connector (3), and a third for the distance between the 3-way connector and a quick-disconnect fitting (4) on the Tubing Rack. Connect the tubing as the figure shows.

b	Empty (output). If the reservoir has two output ports (5), cut three lengths of tube A following the procedure in step a, and connect the tubing using a 3-way connector (3) as the figure shows. If the reservoir has one output port, cut one length of tube A.

To position tube B in the pump heads:

 

WARNING Pinch hazard! Keep your fingers clear of the pump head interior when you close the pump head cover. Keep the pump head cover closed while the pump is running.

 

CAUTION Ensure that the tubing is not kinked, twisted, or stretched against the rollers. Make sure that the tube is not crushed in the clamps.

1	Determine which of the two pump heads (1) will control the input flow (fill direction) to the reservoir and which will control the output flow (empty direction) to the waste bottle.

Each pump head can be configured in the software to flow in either direction. In the following figure, the lower pump head controls the input flow to the reservoir, and the upper pump head controls the output flow.

Figure. Inserting tubing into the pump heads

 

2	For each pump head, cut a length of tube B that is long enough so that the tubing can gently arch over the rollers in the pump head and still have plenty of slack on either side of the pump head for a connection to tube A.

3	To insert tube B into a pump head:

a	Lift up the flip-top cover on the pump head so that it is fully open.

b	On each side of the pump head, turn the dial (2) to open the clamps (V‑grooves) fully to accommodate the diameter of tube B.

c	Insert a portion of tube B so that the tubing gently arches over the rollers. Ensure the tubing is located in the center of the tube clamps (V‑grooves) on either side of the pump head, and then carefully lower the cover.

Repeat this step for the other pump head.

 

CAUTION Ensure that the pump head clamps are set properly for the diameter of the tubing. Incorrectly adjusted clamps can constrict the flow or damage the tubing when the pump head is closed.

Note: If any creeping of the tubing occurs during operation, tighten the clamps slightly using the clamp dials (2).

Figure. Open pump head (side view) showing fully open clamp and clamp dial

 

4	Tip Wash Station only. For the input flow (fill direction) into the Tip Wash Station, connect the pump filter (3) to tube B between the Pump Module and the Tip Wash Station as the figure shows.

Ensure that the filter is oriented so that the three thumbscrews face toward the Pump Module and the other side of the filter faces toward the Tip Wash Station.

5	Insert a tubing connector (4) on each open end of tube B, as the figure shows.

To connect Pump Module tube B to the tubing from the reservoir:

1	Cut two lengths of tube A measured for the distance between the end of tube B and the connector on the end of tube A from the reservoir. See the following figure, item 1.

Figure. Tubing from Pump Module to reservoir

 

2	For the fill direction:

a	Connect one length of tube A to the tube B connector or to the inline filter (2), if applicable, on the input tubing (fill direction) from the Pump Module.

b	Connect the other end of tube A to the quick-disconnect fitting on the end of tube A that is connected to the reservoir input ports.

3	For the empty direction:

a	Connect the other length of tube A to the tube B connector (3) on the empty-direction tubing going into the Pump Module.

b	Connect the other end of tube A to the quick-disconnect fitting on the end of tube A that is connected to the reservoir output ports.

To connect the source and waste bottles to tube B:

1	Cut a length of tube A measured for the distance from the source bottle to the Pump Module. Allow plenty of slack in the tubing.

2	Attach a quick-disconnect fitting to one end of tube A, and insert the quick-disconnect fitting into the output port of the source bottle.

3	Connect the other end of tube A to the tube B connector on the input line.

4	Repeat steps 1 to 3 for the waste bottle, ensuring that you connect tube A from the waste bottle to the tube B connector on the output line at the Pump Module.

(Auto Filling Reservoir only) To route the overflow gravity-drain tubing:

1	Cut tube B to the measured length from the reservoir drain port to a waste bottle.

Vertical Pipetting Station only. Cut a length of tube B for the distance from the reservoir drain port to the Tubing Rack, and from the Tubing Rack to the waste bottle. Attach the tubing using the quick-disconnect fittings.

2	Attach a quick-disconnect fitting to one end of the tubing, and insert the fitting into one of the ports on the waste bottle. Make sure the waste bottle is vented.

3	Attach the other end of the tubing to the reservoir drain port connection.

 

CAUTION Do not connect the overflow line to the empty line, or else the overflow will not drain properly. To enable the gravity drain system to work effectively, the drain tubing must always travel downward.

To complete the Pump Module setup:

1	Vertical Pipetting Station only. Slide the reservoir shelf back and forth to ensure the shelf has enough tubing for unrestricted travel.

2	Turn on the Pump Module, and then turn on the liquid-handling device.

3	Start the automation software, and then configure the autofilling accessory parameters.

IMPORTANT When using Marprene tubing, reset the tension after you run the Pump Module for the first 30 minutes. To reset the tension on the tubing, open the flip-top cover of the pump head, allow the tube to settle naturally across the rollers, and then reclamp the tube.

IMPORTANT When the Pump Module is not in use, lift the flip-top cover on each pump head to prevent flattening the tubing and to help maximize the tubing life.

Removing a Pump Module

To remove the Pump Module:

1	Using the automation control software, run the Pump Module and drain the reservoir until empty.

2	Turn off the Pump Module, and then turn off the liquid-handling device.

3	Disconnect the Pump Module power and communication cables. Unplug the Weigh Station cable from the Pump Module.

4	Disconnect the tubing from the reservoir.

5	Remove the reservoir.

6	Remove the tubing from the Pump Module and from the source and waste bottles.

 

 

Related information

 

For information about…	See…
Starting up and shutting down the Vertical Pipetting Station	Starting up and shutting down
Installing a Weigh Shelf	Installing and calibrating a Weigh Shelf
Reservoirs and wash trays	Reservoirs and wash trays for autofilling
Configuring autofilling parameters	Configuring the autofilling function
Setting up liquid and labware definitions	VWorks Automation Control Setup Guide
Using an accessory in a protocol	VWorks Automation Control User Guide