Benchmark Scientific Benchmark Scientific NS1000 Manual

Test Equipment Depot - 800.517.8431 - 5 Commonwealth Ave, MA 01801

TestEquipmentDepot.com

Operation Manual V1.0

NS1020

Thank you for purchasing the SmartDrop™ XF Nano Spectrophotometer. This
user manual details the instrument’s features, specifications, as well as complete
operating instructions; please read it carefully before operation. Keep this user
manual for later use.

Important:

Please keep the box and packaging material for this instrument. If service is
required, the box will be needed to ship the instrument to our Service
Department.

Initial Inspection

Please inspect the instrument as well as all included accessories when you first
open the packaging. If you find anything damaged or missing, please contact
Benchmark Scientific or your local distributor immediately.

Safety Warnings and Guidelines

1. Important information for safe use

Users should understand how to use this instrument before operating.
Please read this manual carefully prior to operation.

Any improper operation may cause injury. Please read this
manual carefully and operate safely according to the guidelines.

2. Operation and Maintenance

The operation and maintenance of the instrument should comply with the basic

guidelines and warnings below. Incorrect operation or maintenance will have
detrimental effects on the life, performance, and safety features of the instrument.

The instrument is a normal indoor instrument which conforms to
classⅠof the GB 4793.1 standard.

This instrument is designed for use in a laboratory
environment. The device must be operated by skilled
laboratory personnel with appropriate training.

To prevent injury or voiding the warranty, the operator should not
attempt to repair the instrument without explicit guidance from
Accuris Instruments. If service is required, please contact Accuris
Instruments or your local distributor for repair.

Before powering on, confirm that the voltage used meets the
electrical requirements of the instrument as stated on the rating
plate. If the electric cord is damaged, replace it with the same type
of cord. Hold the socket firmly before pulling the plug from an outlet.
Do not pull the electric cord.

The instrument should be installed in an environment of standard
room temperature, low dust, low humidity, and away from direct
sunlight, electromagnetic interference, and heat sources. Do not
block the vents on the instrument.

Always power off the instrument when you are finished using it.
Unplug the power cord and cover the instrument with a cloth or
plastic sheet to prevent excessive dust from entering the housing.

Pull the connector plug from the electrical outlet immediately and
contact the vendor in the event of:

• Liquid entering the housing.

• Abnormal operation: such as any abnormal sound or

smell.

• The instrument is dropped or there is any damage to the
housing.

• Any malfunction.

3. Maintenance

The pedestal should be cleaned regularly using a soft cloth dampened with
deionized water. The instrument housing should be cleaned regularly using a soft
cloth dampened with a small amount of alcohol.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction ....................................................................................... 1

1.Key Features ............................................................................................... 1

Chapter 2 Specifications .................................................................................... 2

1.Required Installation Environment ............................................................... 2

2.Specifications............................................................................................... 2

Chapter 3 Instrument Overview ......................................................................... 4

1.Structure ...................................................................................................... 4

2.Sample Size Requirements ......................................................................... 5

3.Dispensing Samples onto The Lower Pedestal ........................................... 5

4.OD600 Measurement .................................................................................. 6

Chapter 4 Programming & Operation ................................................................ 7

1.Start-up Interface ......................................................................................... 7

2.Main Menu Interface .................................................................................... 7

3.Nucleic Acids Interface ................................................................................ 8

4.Protein A280 Interface ............................................................................... 13

5.Colorimetry Interface ................................................................................. 17

6.Fluorometer Interface ................................................................................ 21

7.UV-Vis Interface ......................................................................................... 28

8.OD600 Interface ........................................................................................ 30

9.System Settings Interface .......................................................................... 32

Chapter 5 Troubleshooting .............................................................................. 34

Chapter 1 Introduction

The SmartDrop™ XF nano spectrophotometer measures 0.5µL – 2.0µL samples with
high accuracy and reproducibility. This full spectrum (200nm – 800nm)
spectrophotometer employs surface tension to position the sample for measurement.
The system includes a cuvette slot for OD600 readings & a built-in printer for printing
results. The SmartDrop XF can measure highly concentrated samples without dilution
(100X concentration of samples measured by a standard cuvette spectrophotometer).

1. Key Features

➢ User-Friendly Input & Operation – Touch screen for programming and operation (a

mouse can also be connected).

➢ Multifunctional software for Nucleic Acids, Protein A280, Colorimetry, Fluorometer,

UV-Vis & OD600 measurements.

➢ dsDNA detection range from 2ng/µL – 15,000ng/µL.
➢ Fast & accurate measurements (< 6 seconds, ± 1%).
➢ 2 cuvettes included (optical glass) for OD600 measurements.

1

Model

SmartDrop™ XF (NS1020)

Minimum Sample Size

0.5μL - 2μL

Path Length

0.05 mm, 0.2 mm, 1.0 mm

Light Source / Life

Xenon flash lamp / >109 flashes

Detector Type

2048 element linear silicon CCD array

Wavelength Range

200nm － 800nm

Wavelength Accuracy

± 1 nm

Spectral Resolution

≤ 3nm（FWHM@Hg 253.7nm）

Absorbance Precision

0.003Abs（1mm path length）

Absorbance Accuracy

± 1%（7.332Abs, at 260nm wavelength）

Absorbance Range

0.04 — 300（at 260 wavelength, 10mm equivalent）

Detection
Concentration Range

2ng/μL dsDNA - 15,000ng/μL dsDNA

Detection Time

< 6 seconds

OD600

Abs range

0~4.000 Abs

Abs stability

[0,3）≤0.5% [3,4）≤2%

Abs
repeatability

[0,3）≤0.5%, [3,4）≤2%

Abs Precision

[0,2）≤0.005A, [2,3）≤1%，[3,4）≤2%

Fluorometer

Linearity

R² ≥ 0.995

Repeata
bility

≤ 1.5%

Stability

≤ 1.5%

Chapter 2 Specifications

1. Required Installation Environment

Environmental Temperature: 5°C～35°C

Relative Humidity: ≤ 70%

Input Voltage: DC 24V, 2A ( Adapter CSA, UL, CE marked)

2. Specifications

2

Voltage input

DC 24V, 2A

Power

25W

Dimensions（W×D×H）

20.8cm × 32.0cm ×18.6cm / 8.2in x 12.6in x 7.3in

Weight

3.6 kg / 7.9 lbs

3

USB ports

Switch

Power Socket

Upper pedestal

Display

OD600 &

Fluorometer

chamber

Lower pedestal

Built-in
printer

1. Structure

Front

Chapter 3 Instrument Overview

Back

Fig. 1 Front

Fig. 2 Back

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2. Sample Size Requirements

Surface tension is a critical factor in the formation of the sample column for
measurement. The hydrophobic interactions between water molecules in a sample
solution is key in creating & maintaining surface tension. The presence of solutes
(proteins, DNA, RNA, salt ions, detergent molecules) significantly reduces surface
tension and hinders the formation of the sample column. For most samples, a 1μL
sample size is enough; however, to ensure accurate and precise measurements, a 2μL
sample size is recommended to allow the formation of the sample column for
measurement.

To ensure precise and accurate measurements, it is essential that a complete liquid
column forms between the upper pedestal and lower pedestal. It is recommended that
a precision pipettor (0-2μL) be used to dispense samples.

3. Dispensing Samples onto The Lower Pedestal

Lift the upper pedestal and pipette the sample (0.5µL – 2.0μL) onto the lower
pedestal (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3 Dispense Sample Fig. 4 Sample Drop

Lower the upper pedestal onto the sample to form the sample column (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5 Sample Column

Note: Please exercise caution when lowering the upper pedestal onto the sample.

5

Frosted

Transparent

surface

To prevent sample carryover, use a soft laboratory wipe and deionized water to clean
both pedestals in between sample measurements (Fig. 6).

Fig. 6 Clean & Wipe Pedestal

4. OD600 Measurement

The SmartDrop XF includes a cuvette slot for OD600 measurements. Lift the upper
pedestal to expose the cuvette slot. Select the OD600 interface on the touch screen.
Set a “blank” as required for the experiment (blank = air, empty cuvette, or buffer in
cuvette). Then add 2~3mL of sample into the cuvette. Place the cuvette into the slot
and start the measurement (Fig. 7).

Fig. 7 OD600 & Fluorometer Port

Note：The direction of the light path is shown by the red arrow in the figure above.

Please ensure the cuvette is loaded with the correct orientation.

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