TC-PLUS Satellite and Techne Workbench PC Software OPERATOR’S MANUAL Version 1.
CONTENTS INTRODUCTION BEFORE USE Unpacking SAFETY AND INSTALLATION English Français Deutsch Italiano Español CONTACT INFORMATION SPECIFICATION INSTALLATION TECHNE WORKBENCH Home Screen Menu Bar Options Settings Instruments Programs Library About APPENDIX Template Programs Incremented/Decremented Time and Temperature Gradient FAQs TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND SERVICING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION User Maintenance Fault Finding Fuses Insulation Tests REPLACEMENT PARTS DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY PAGE 4 5 5 6 6 8 10 12 14
INTRODUCTION The TC-PLUS Satellite is an advanced gradient thermal cycler designed to accurately and rapidly control the temperatures of samples between 0ºC (or 20°C below ambient) and 100°C. It has many scientific applications including PCR, reverse transcription, ligation and sequencing. It is available in a range of block formats to allow for most commonly used consumables including 0.2ml x 96 well plates and 0.2ml tubes, 0.5ml tubes and 384 well plates.
BEFORE USE Before using the TC-PLUS Satellite please make sure you have read this manual carefully. If there is any doubt relating to the proper use of this equipment, the staff at Bibby Scientific Ltd. or your supplier will be happy to assist you.
SAFETY INFORMATION Please read all the information in this manual before using the TC-PLUS Satellite. WARNING HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE DANGEROUS: they can cause serious burns to operators and ignite combustible material.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS The TC-PLUS Satellite is designed operate under the following conditions: • Indoor use • Ambient temperature range +5ºC to +40ºC • Altitude to 2000m • Relative humidity not exceeding 80% • Mains supply fluctuations not exceeding 10% • Over voltage category II IEC 60364-4-443 • Pollution degree 2 Note: The control specifications are quoted at an ambient temperature of 20ºC. The specification may deteriorate outside an ambient temperature of between 10ºC and 30ºC.
L'INFORMATION DE SÛRETÉ Veuillez lire attentivement toutes les instructions de ce document avant d’utiliser le TC-PLUS Satellite. AVERTISSEMENT Les TEMPÉRATURES ÉLEVÉES SONT DANGEREUSES car elles peuvent provoquer de graves brûlures chez l’opérateur et enflammer les matériaux combustibles.
Câble de rechange S’il s’avère nécessaire de remplacer le cordon d’alimentation, utiliser un câble de 1 mm² conforme à la norme H05VV-F relié à une prise IEC320. EN CAS DE DOUTE, CONSULTER UN ELECTRICIEN QUALIFIE.
SICHERHEITS- INFORMATIONEN Lesen Sie diese Anleitung vor Verwendung des TC-PLUS Satellite bitte sorgfältig durch. ACHTUNG HOHE TEMPERATUREN STELLEN EINE GEFAHRENQUELLE DAR. Sie können schwere Brandverletzung verursachen und brennbare Stoffe entzünden.
Ersatzkabel 2 Bei einem eventuellen Austausch des Netzkabels wird ein Kabel vom Typ H05VV-F mit 1 mm Adernquerschnitt und Europastecker (IEC 320) benötigt. IM ZWEIFELSFALL EINEN ELEKTROFACHMANN HINZUZIEHEN.
INFORMAZIONI DI SICUREZZA Leggere attentamente il presente manuale prima di usare il TC-PLUS Satellite. AVVERTENZA Le ALTE TEMPERATURE SONO PERICOLOSE in quanto possono provocare serie ustioni agli operatori e dare fuoco al materiale combustibile.
7. Accendere lo strumento per mezzo dell'interruttore situato sulla parte anteriore dell'unità. Cavo di ricambio 2 Qualora occorra sostituire il cavo di rete, si dovrà utilizzare un cavo di 1mm codice armonizzato H05VV-F collegato ad una spina IEC 320. IN CASO DI DUBBIO, RIVOLGERSI A UN ELETTRICISTA QUALIFICATO. CONDIZIONI AMBIENTALI Il TC-PLUS Satellite è stato progettato per funzionare nelle seguenti condizioni: • uso interno • range di temperatura ambiente da +5ºC a +40ºC • altitudine massima 2000 m.
INFORMACIÓN DE SEGURIDAD Lea atentamente este manual antes de utilizar el TC-PLUS Satellite. ADVERTENCIA LAS ALTAS TEMPERATURAS SON PELIGROSAS, ya que pueden ocasionar quemaduras graves a los operarios y prender el material combustible.
7. Encienda el instrumento usando el interruptor situado en el frente de la unidad. Cable de repuesto 2 Si es necesario sustituir el cable de alimentación, se debe utilizar un cable de 1mm de código armonizado H05VV, conectado a un enchufe IEC320. EN CASO DE DUDA, PÓNGASE EN CONTACTO CON UN ELECTRICISTA.
CONTACT INFORMATION For technical, sales or servicing information, contact your local Techne dealer or: UK Bibby Scientific Ltd. Beacon Road, Stone Staffordshire, ST15 0SA Tel: +44 (0)1785 812121 Fax: +44 (0)1785 810405 e-mail: sales@bibby-scientific.com www.techne.com North and South America Bibby Scientific US Inc. t/a Techne Inc. 3 Terri Lane, Suite 10 Burlington, N.J. 08016 USA Toll Free (in NA): 800-225-9243 Tel: +1 609 589 2560 Fax: +1 609 589 2571 e-mail: labproducts@techneusa.com www.techneusa.
TC-PLUS SATELLITE SPECIFICATION TEMPERATURE Block temperature range Block uniformity Temperature accuracy Gradient availability Maximum gradient Minimum gradient Column uniformity with a 10ºC gradient Pre-run sample cooling Temperature set point adjustment 0 or 20ºC below ambient to 100ºC <±0.3ºC <±0.2ºC Across the full temperature range 30ºC (16ºC with the 384-well block) 1ºC <±0.3ºC Yes, 4ºC 0.
INSTALLATION See also the Safety Information sections on pages 6 to 15. Front view 1 2 3 1. 2. 3. TC-PLUS Satellite ID and status indicator. Drawer release push panel. Power on/off Rear view 1 2 3 1. 2. 3. 18 Lifting Handle. Mains cable inlet USB port for connection to PC or TC-PLUS.
Installation 1. Place the unit on a suitable flat bench, ensuring that the air inlet vents on the front and rear are free from obstruction. Two Satellite units may be stacked one on top of the other. 2. Plug the mains cable into the socket on the back of the instrument. 3. Connect to the mains electricity supply with the plug provided or one wired correctly for the supply. Switch the power ON using the switch located on the front of the unit. 4.
Workbench will automatically detect any connected units. TECHNE WORKBENCH HOME SCREEN Techne Workbench opens in the Library screen shown below. See the section LIBRARY on page 33 for further information on the features of this mode. MENU BAR OPTIONS Back and forward arrows Click on these to go back or forward between screens. Programs Click on this to create a new program, open an existing file or exit Techne Workbench. Instruments Click on this to see the connected instruments and their status.
SETTINGS Click on Settings to select the default location on the PC for saving program and temperature log files and to set up preferred program defaults. Library Click on Add More Locations to set the default save location for programs and temperature log files.
From the pop up box, select the required folder location then click OK. Once the location has been selected it will be listed on the screen as shown below. Further locations can be added in the same way. Delete locations by clicking on the cross next to the file path. User Preferences The user preferences can be used to set up temperature units, prompts during programming and to detect for software updates.
Temperature display Select ºC or ºF. Display Invalid Data Entered Warnings When set to ON, shows prompts when programming to warn the user if a parameter entered is invalid. Check for New Versions When set to ON, a message box will be displayed when a new version of Techne Workbench is available to download. Program Defaults Program defaults can be used to set up the preferred default settings for all newly created programs. Individual programs can be edited as required.
Hot Start Set to ON to pause at the required set temperature. The program will not continue until the unit is manually un-paused. Final Extension Set to ON for the required hold time to add a final extension step to the program to ensure complete amplification of the products. Final Hold Set to ON to hold the block at the required set temperature at the end of a program until the user manually stops the unit.
INSTRUMENTS Select Instruments from the menu bar to view all units connected to the PC. Identify To identify a particular TC-PLUS Satellite unit, click to select the required unit and click on Identify. The selected unit will emit a beeping sound and the display will flash. Gradient Calculator The Gradient Calculator can be used to calculate the temperature for each column of the block for a user-specified temperature and gradient range.
View Running Program To view the current program running on a particular unit, select the required unit and click on View Running Program. This will open the Live Monitor screen showing the progress of the program being run on the selected TC-PLUS satellite. Rename The Instrument The unit can be re-named. Select the required unit and click on Rename The Instrument. When the Rename screen appears, type in the new name. Click on Rename to accept or Cancel to go back without changing the name.
PROGRAMS Click on Programs to create a new program, open an existing program or exit Techne Workbench. New Program Selecting this option opens the programming screen.
View Clicking on this opens the Live Monitor screen which shows a graphical representation of the program. The run can also be started from this screen after selecting a unit. Save Saves the program using the name entered in the Program Name option (see below). If editing a program, this will overwrite the existing program. Save As New Program Allows the user to save the program using a new name to avoid overwriting the original. Delete Used to delete a highlighted step or stage in a program.
Heated Lid Use this to set the heated lid temperature (in general approximately 10ºC higher than the hottest block temperature in a program). Preheat Lid Set to ON to pre-heat the lid to the set temperature before the thermal cycling program begins. Sample Cooling Set to ON to cool the block to 4ºC while the lid preheats. Pause Set to ON to pause at the ambient temperature of the block before the program starts, unless Sample Cooling has been set to ON.
Time Enter the hold time of the step. For ease of use, the time can be entered in seconds. For example for 30 seconds type 30s or for 10 minutes type 600s. On moving to the next parameter box the time entry will autocorrect to the hh:mm:ss format. Temperature Enter the required temperature for the step. Insert a step Click on this to insert another step in the current stage. To delete a step, click on the step area so that it is highlighted in orange and click Delete.
Increment/decrement temperature and gradient To add an increment/decrement temperature or gradient temperature to a step, click on the arrow key next to the Temperature parameter box. A prompt will show the maximum and minimum allowed limits. Enter the required value in the appropriate box. Click the arrow key again to close. A step modified with an increment/decrement time or gradient will be highlighted with an orange dot.
Open Click on Open to browse for a program or temperature log file. Select the required program or temperature log file and click Open. Exit Click on Exit to close Techne Workbench.
LIBRARY Click on Library to display all the programs and temperature log files stored on the PC. New Program Click on New Program to open the programming screen in order to create a new program. See the section New Program on page 27 for details of how to write a program. Open Click on the required file to select it and then click Open.
Sort By Use this to organise the display order of the files. There are a number of sorting options. Sort by: Program Name Sorts the files alphabetically by program name. User Sorts the files alphabetically by user name. Recently used Sorts the files in the order of recent use. Most used Sorts the files in order of popularity.
Search Use Search to find a specific program or temperature log file. Select the Search By … criteria you wish to use, then click on Apply Search. The screen will go back to the Library showing only the files which match the search criteria. To clear the search, click Clear Search. More than one type of search criteria can be applied to narrow down the number of files; the files found will contain all the specified terms. Search By Date Enter the criteria specified below and click Apply Search.
Search by File Type Search for only programs or temperature log files. Delete Use Delete to remove a file permanently. Select the file you wish to delete and click on Delete. A warning will be displayed asking for confirmation of the deletion. Click Yes to confirm the delete or Cancel if you do not wish to delete the file. Run Click on Run to run a program. Select the program you wish to run and click Run. You will then need to select the unit you wish to run the program on.
Temperature Log Click on Temperature Log to view the Temperature Log Monitor screen. This displays the block temperature in 1 second intervals. Click on Program View to return to the Live Monitor screen.
Click on About to check for Techne Workbench updates and to check the current version of software installed on the PC.
To help with programming, a number of program templates are saved in Techne Workbench which are available to edit or can be run directly without changes. Details of the program templates are given below.
The maximum gradient temperature range which can be set is 30ºC (96-well block) and the minimum is 1ºC; the lowest temperature is 0ºC or 20ºC below ambient and the hottest temperature is 100ºC.
FAQS Q1 A1 How do I adjust the pressure of the heated lid for my tubes or plates? No adjustment is necessary. The lid automatically applies the correct pressure. Ensure that all consumables used in the block are of the same height. Q2 A2 Do I need a different block for fully skirted plates? No. The TC-PLUS 96-well block will accommodate fully skirted as well as half-skirted and non-skirted PCR plates. Q3 A3 What is “Sample Cooling”? Sample cooling can be applied during the lid pre-heat phase.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND SERVICING If you require further technical or application assistance please contact Techne at: E-mail: technehelp@bibby-scientific.com. Phone: +44 (0)1785 810433 Fax: +44 (0)1785 810405 For servicing information please contact: Service Department Bibby Scientific Ltd. Beacon Road Stone Staffordshire ST15 0SA E-mail: service@bibby-scientific.com. Phone: +44 (0)1785 810475 Fax: +44 (0)1785 810405 In the USA please contact service@techneusa.com or call +1 609 589 2560.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION USER MAINTENANCE Before cleaning your unit, disconnect it from the power supply. The outer case of the TC-PLUS Satellite may be cleaned with a cloth dipped in water or ethanol (hexane or 50% methanol can also be used). No part of the case or cover should be immersed in the solvents. Do not use aggressive solvents such as acetone or abrasive cleaners. The block may be wiped with water, ethanol or propan-2-ol and may be decontaminated by wiping with 2% Neutracon or 1% bleach solution.
REPLACEMENT PARTS The following replacement parts can be obtained from Bibby Scientific Ltd. or your Techne dealer: Product code HH179(S) HH180(S) FCABLEUS 6205046 FTCPLUS/02/B FTCPLUS/05/B FTCPLUS/384/B Description UK 230V mains lead with plug European mains lead with plug US mains lead with plug USB cable TC-PLUS gradient block for 96 x 0.2ml micro tubes or plates TC-PLUS gradient block for 60 x 0.
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY 45
