Installing and calibrating a Weigh Shelf

About this topic

The Weigh Shelf works with a Pump Module to control the liquid level in the Auto Filling Reservoir or in a Tip Wash Station. This topic describes how to install and calibrate a Weigh Shelf.

Description

The Weigh Shelf contains an electronic monitor that checks the percentage of liquid in a reservoir. By monitoring the weight of the reservoir, the Weigh Shelf controls when the Pump Module is activated. The Weigh Shelf works with the Pump Module to maintain an optimal level of liquid and ensures the reservoir is not overfilled.

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.

 

Installation and setup workflow

 

Step	Procedure	See…
1	Install the Weigh Shelf on the Vertical Pipetting Station.	Installing a Weigh Shelf
2	Connect the Weigh Shelf communication cable to the Pump Module.	Setting up a Pump Module
3	Configure the Weigh Shelf reservoir operations.	Configuring the autofilling function
4	Calibrate the Weigh Shelf.	Calibrating a Weigh Shelf
5	Verify the teachpoint accuracy for the Weigh Shelf.	Setting shelf teachpoints

Installing a Weigh Shelf

Before you begin

 

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

Make sure you have an 3-mm hex wrench.

For accessory location guidelines, see Determining the shelf location for an accessory.

To install a Weigh Shelf:

1	If applicable, remove the standard shelf from the target location. See Removing or installing a standard shelf.

 

2	Slide the Weigh Shelf onto the two dowel pins of the Vertical Pipetting Station shelf connector.

 

3	At the top center of the shelf, insert the hex-head screw to secure the shelf in position.

 

About connecting a Weigh Shelf

Use one Pump Module for each pairing of reservoir and Weigh Shelf. For the connection procedure, see Setting up a Pump Module.

Before the Weigh Shelf is ready for use in a protocol, you must:

•	Configure the autofilling shelf parameters in Vertical Pipetting Station Diagnostics. See Configuring the autofilling function.

•	Calibrate the Weigh Shelf empty and full settings.

Calibrating a Weigh Shelf

Before you begin

•	Make sure the Pump Module is set up and connected to the Weigh Shelf.

•	Verify that the Autofilling shelf is configured in Vertical Pipetting Station Diagnostics.

Procedure

 

 

Before the Weigh Shelf is ready for use in a protocol, you must calibrate the empty and full settings. When you calibrate the Weigh Shelf, you must use the reservoir type that will be weighed.

To calibrate a Weigh Shelf:

1	In Vertical Pipetting Station Diagnostics, click the Profiles tab and make sure the correct profile is initialized.

2	Click the Configuration tab.

3	In the Accessory Configuration area, highlight Autofill Shelf, and then click Diagnose accessory.

Note: The Autofill Shelf is represented by a Pump Module graphic in the software.

 

4	In the Accessory Diagnostics dialog box, click the second tab.

 

5	At the Vertical Pipetting Station, place the reservoir on the Weigh Shelf. Make sure the reservoir is empty.

6	In the Accessory Diagnostics dialog box, click Set Tare to configure the empty setting.

7	To configure the full setting for the reservoir:

a	Fill the reservoir to the desired full level.

You can use the Pump Reagent command on the Processes tab to fill or drain the reservoir.

b	In the Accessory Diagnostics dialog box, click Set Range.

The digital display shows a sensor reading that corresponds to the current weight of the reservoir that is on the Weigh Shelf.

IMPORTANT To avoid overfilling the reservoir, ensure that the full range is set while the fluid level is below the top of the reservoir.

8	Verify that the Level reading decreases as the liquid level decreases while you run the designated empty pump to remove any liquid from the reservoir.

9

Click OK.

10	On the Profiles tab, click Update this profile.

 

 

Related information

 

For information about…	See…
Starting up and shutting down the Vertical Pipetting Station	Starting up and shutting down
Opening Vertical Pipetting Station Diagnostics	Opening Vertical Pipetting Station Diagnostics
Connecting the Pump Module	Setting up a Pump Module
Configuring the reservoirs	Configuring the autofilling function
Editing teachpoints	Setting shelf teachpoints
Using an accessory in a protocol	VWorks Automation Control User Guide