User Manual Rev. 2.4; November 2008, Cat. no. 1507340
Copyright
Copyright 2008 Thermo Fisher Scientific. All rights reserved. Printed in
Finland. Reproduction of the accompanying user documentation in whole or in
part is prohibited.
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Wellwash is a registered trademark of Thermo Fisher Scientific.
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their
respective holders.
Disclaimer
Thermo Fisher Scientific reserves the right to change its products and services at
any time to incorporate technological developments. This manual is subject to
change without prior notice as part of a continuous product development.
Although this manual has been prepared with every precaution to ensure
accuracy, Thermo Fisher Scientific assumes no liability for any errors or
omissions, or for any damages resulting from the application or use of this
information. This manual supersedes all previous editions.
No liability for consequential damages
Thermo Fisher Scientific shall not be liable for any damages whatsoever arising
out of the use or inability to use this product.
Contact information
Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy
P.O. Box 100, FI-01621 Vantaa, Finland
Tel. +358-9-329 100, Fax +358-9-3291 0415
www.thermo.com
Rev. 2.4, Cat. no. 1507340
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1 Safety Symbols and Markings .................................................................... 7
2 About the User Manual............................................................................ 8
3 Introduction to the Wellwash 4 Mk 2 .......................................................... 9
This User Manual has been written for the actual user (e.g., laboratory
technician) and provides information on the Thermo Scientific Wellwash 4 Mk 2
microplate strip washer, including installation and operating instructions.
Read the manual in its entirety prior to operating the instrument.
This User Manual has been designed to give you the information you need to:
Review safety precautions
Install the Wellwash 4 Mk 2
Carry out washing procedures
Perform basic maintenance procedures
Troubleshoot the instrument performance
Maintain the instrument
This User Manual also describes features and specifications of the Wellwash
4 Mk 2 hardware and on-board software.
Chapter 2: About the User Manual
Chapter 6 explains the operating procedures.
The user should be familiar with the contents of Chapter 7 on maintenance
procedures that may be performed by the user.
For warranty and ordering information, refer to Chapters 10 Ordering Information
and 11 Warranty .
The Wellwash 4 Mk 2 is a semiautomatic microplate washer, comprising pump
and washer units. The instrument is supplied with both 8- and 12-way wash
heads, four program cards and an accessory pack.
Your local Thermo Fisher Scientific representative can arrange instrument
training at the commissioning of the instrument for extra charge, if required.
3.1 Intended use
The Wellwash 4 Mk 2 is a microplate washer for 96-well plates. It can be used in
research or routine-test laboratories by trained personnel to wash Microtiter
microplates and strips in 96-well plate format that meet the SBS standards.
For verification of the entire system, it is recommended that Good Laboratory
Practices (GLP) be followed to guarantee reliable analyses.
Use for self-testing is excluded.
If the assay performance is essential for the analysis, the test result has to be
ensured with internal quality controls or with an alternative test.
Chapter 3: Introduction to the Wellwash 4 Mk 2
3.2 Principle of operation
The instrument provides the following wash functions initiated through the
keypad and control switches or a preprogrammed wash card:
1. Liquid dispensing into wells (microplate or microstrip)
2. Liquid aspiration from wells (microplate or microstrip)
With their unique and proven design, the coaxial wash heads of the Wellwash
4 Mk 2 ensure excellent washing efficiency and low residual volumes of less than
5 µl. For clean delivery of washing buffer, the inner dispensing tubes are made of
stainless steel. A continuous vacuum in the outer tube prevents cross
contamination and ensures complete liquid removal.
For fast and accurate selection of routine protocols, the Wellwash 4 Mk 2 comes
with four standard program cards (1 to 4 washing cycles) as well as a
programmable card. This switch card permits a quick selection of all wash
parameters, including soak times and final wash protocols.
The quick release bottle caps of the Wellwash 4 Mk 2 ensure easy buffer changes.
An additional rinse bottle can be connected, making it easier to purge wash
buffer from the wash head or change to a different wash buffer. Automatic pump
shutdown reduces wear and noise levels. If unused for 30 seconds, the wash
pump of the Wellwash 4 Mk 2 automatically switches off.
3.3 Advantages of using Wellwash 4 Mk 2
The Wellwash 4 Mk 2 provides several advantages relating mainly to the principle
of operation in that it has:
Unique coaxial wash heads for trouble-free washing and low residual
volumes
8- and 12-way interchangeable wash heads
Easy to program
Excellent washing performance
Quick release wash/waste bottle caps
Automatic pump shutdown
The Wellwash 4 Mk 2 is designed to wash wells in an 8 x 12 microplate. It
comprises a pump unit and a washer unit (Fig. 4.1), which are connected by
power, air and liquid lines.
The pump unit consists of a double-headed vacuum pump with high-density
polythene reagent and waste bottles and a liquid trap. The main power ON/OFF
switch is at the rear of the pump unit. The frequency selector switch is located
on the bottom side of the pump model Cat. no. 5190771 near the transport
locking screws.
The keypad is located on the left-hand side of the washer unit and the
microprocessor and associated control electronics are housed under the keypad.
The wash head is located above the plate carrier slideway, which can be either
8- or 12-way. The plate carrier moves the microplate accurately beneath the
wash head and incorporates a priming reservoir at its leading edge. The plate
carrier is indexed forward by means of a magnetic coupling to the drive system
housed inside the washer.
Chapter 4: Functional Description
5 6
7
3
8
9
1
1
1
1. Pump unit 8. Wash arm assembly
2. Washer unit 9. Wash head and wash head holders
3. Waste bottle 10. Priming reservoir
4. Wash bottle 11. Keypad
5. Bottle caps 12. Plate carrier
6. Liquid level sensor 13. Program card
7. Liquid trap bottle 14. Pinch valve
Fig. 4.1 Wellwash 4 Mk 2 microplate washer
2
1
1
4
1
The pump creates pressure to the wash bottle (Fig. 4.1, item 4) allowing the
wash liquid to be dispensed through the pinch valve (Fig. 4.1, item 14) into the
microplate wells and a vacuum to the waste bottle (Fig. 4.1, item 3) to aspirate
the used wash liquid into the waste bottle.
Here is a description of the controls and indicators on the Wellwash 4 Mk 2.
POWER ON/OFF switch
This two-position switch at the rear of the pump unit controls the electrical
power to both the pump and washer units.
PRIME push button
A momentary action switch that starts the PRIME function. An audible tone will
sound when pressed to confirm operation.
PRIME indicator
This yellow LED (light-emitting diode) located to the right of the PRIME button
flashes to indicate that the PRIME function is required and, when continuously
ON, indicates that the washer is primed and ready for use. The indicator will turn
off after a while, but the instrument remains ready for use.
ROW SELECT (1 – 12) push buttons
These are momentary action switches that select the last row to be washed in
any chosen program sequence. An audible tone will sound when pressed to
confirm operation.
Chapter 4: Functional Description
Fig. 4.2 Keypad
ROW SELECT indicators
These yellow LEDs located to the right of the ROW SELECT push buttons, when
illuminated, indicate the rows selected for washing.
START push button
This momentary action switch initiates the wash cycle. An audible tone will
sound when pressed to confirm operation.
RESET push button
When pressed, the RESET button will reset the washer to its pre-programmed
state. An audible tone will sound when pressed to confirm operation.
POWER indicator
This green LED is located at the bottom left of the keypad and, when
illuminated, indicates that the POWER switch is ON.
VAC FAIL indicator
A yellow LED which, when flashing, indicates that the waste bottle is full or that
there is a vacuum failure.
The section on installation will contain an outline of the points mentioned in the
check list below.
Table 5.1 Installation check list
Tick Item
Unpack the Wellwash 4 Mk 2 instrument carefully. Refer to 5.2.1. Keep the
original packaging and packing material for future transportation.
Check the delivery for completeness. Refer to 5.2.2.
Check for damage during transport. Refer to 5.2.3.
Place the instrument on a normal laboratory bench taking into account both
the environmental and technical prerequisites. Refer to 5.2.4 and 5.2.6.
Leave sufficient clearance on both sides and at the rear of the unit.
Install the instrument:
Remove the transit screws. Refer to 5.3, step 1.
Check the voltage and frequency of the electrical supply. Refer to 5.3,
step 2.
Remove the pinch valve holder. Refer to 5.3, step 4.
Install the wash head. Refer to 5.3, steps 5 and 6.
Connect the tubing and the liquid level sensor cord to the pump unit. Refer
to 5.3.1, steps 1 to 5.
Connect the washer unit to the pump unit. Refer to 5.3.1, steps 6 and 7.
Fill the wash bottle and tighten both bottle caps. Refer to 5.3.1, steps 8
and 9.
Slide the plate carrier to its place. Refer to 5.3.1, step 10.
Connect the mains supply cable (cord) to the mains input socket. Refer
to 5.3.2.
Carry out the operational check. Refer to 5.4.
Chapter 5: Installation
5.2 What to do upon delivery
5.2.1 How to unpack
Move the unpacked instrument to its site of operation. Unpack the Wellwash
4 Mk 2 instrument and accessories carefully with the arrows on the transport
package pointing upwards. The following notes and instructions are sent with the
instrument and are immediately available when you open the package:
the Warranty Certificate card
the packing instructions/packing list
the Transportation discrepancy report
the User Manual
Caution: DO NOT touch or loosen any screws or parts other than those specially
designated in the instructions. Doing so might cause misalignment and
Fig. 4.1 shows the pump and washer units in their entirety.
Lift out the washer and pump units, removing the shaped packing pieces from
around the washer, and place them on a flat level surface.
To lift the instrument, put your fingers under the bottom on both sides and lift it
with your back straight. The net weight of the instrument is 10 kg (22 lbs.).
Caution: When unpacking the instrument, it is recommended that two people lift
the instrument together, taking proper precautions to avoid injury.
Retain the original packaging and packing material for future transportation. The
packaging is designed to assure safe transport and minimize transit damage. Use
of alternative packaging materials may invalidate the warranty. Also, retain all
instrument-related documentation provided by the manufacturer for future use.
Note: Before use remember to remove the transit screws at the bottom of the
instrument and save them in the adjoining screw holes (marked with the
text "Transit screw storage"). Remove and save the pinch valve holder
until needed for future transportation of the instrument.
5.2.2 Checking delivery for completeness
Check the enclosed packing list against order. In case of any deviations, contact
your local Thermo Fisher Scientific representative or Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy.
Chapter 5: Installation
The instrument is supplied with both 8- and 12-way wash heads, four program
cards, the user manual, the mains supply cable and an accessory pack. The
content of the accessory pack is shown in Fig. 5.1 and Fig. 5.2. Store the
accessories in their bags until you need them.
2
1
3
4
5
1. Combiplate
2. 4 spare fuses (see Section 7.1.10 Fuse replacement)
3. 2 Allen keys (see Section 5.3 Installation procedure, step 1)
4. 2 spanners (see Section 5.3.2 Wash head height)
5. De-clogging tool (see Section 7.1.9 Unclogging tips)
6. 6 spare O rings for the bottle caps
7. 4 spare O rings (see Section 5.3 Installation procedure, step 5)
Fig. 5.1 Accessories included with the instrument.
3. Pinch valve spare tubes (item 3 in Fig. 5.3) (see Section 7.1.8 Pinch valve)
4. Wash arm assembly spare tube (item 2 in Fig. 5.3)
5. Wash arm assembly spare tube (item 4 in Fig. 5.3)
6. Wash arm assembly spare tube (item 1 in Fig. 5.3)
Fig. 5.2 Spare tubing
1
2
4
6
Fig. 5.3 Wash arm assembly tubing
5.2.3 Checking for damage during transport
Visually inspect the transport package, the instrument and the accessories for
any possible transport damage.
If the carton has been damaged in transit, it is particularly important that you
retain it for inspection by the carrier in case there has also been damage to the
instrument.
Neither the manufacturer nor its agents can be held responsible for any damage
incurred in transit, but the manufacturer will make every effort to help obtain
restitution from the carrier. Upon receipt of the carrier's inspection report,
arrangements will be made for repair or replacement.
Visually check all interconnections in the basic instrument. Check that there are
no loose parts inside the instrument.
If any parts are damaged, contact your local Thermo Fisher Scientific
representative or Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy.
When you set up your Wellwash 4 Mk 2, avoid sites of operation with excess dust,
vibrations, strong magnetic fields, direct sunlight, draft, excessive moisture or
large temperature fluctuations.
Make sure the working area is flat, dry, clean and vibration-proof and leave
additional room for accessories, cables, wash bottles, etc.
Leave sufficient space (at least 10 cm) on both sides and at the back of the
unit to allow adequate air circulation.
Make sure the ambient air is clean and free of corrosive vapors, smoke and
dust.
Make sure the ambient temperature range is between +5°C (41 F) and +40°C
(104 F), preferably between +15°C (59 F) and +25°C (77 F).
Make sure relative humidity is between 10% and 90% (non-condensing).
Note: The use of the instrument in strong, direct sunlight or next to radiators
The Wellwash 4 Mk 2 does not produce operating noise at a level that would be
harmful. No sound level measurements are required after installation.
and other heat sources may markedly increase the temperature prevailing
at the instrument. This should be taken into account when deciding
where the instrument should be located and operated.
Chapter 5: Installation
Warning: DO NOT operate the instrument in an environment where potentially
damaging liquids or gases are present.
5.2.5 Things to avoid
DO NOT smoke, eat or drink while using the Wellwash 4 Mk 2. Wash your hands
thoroughly after handling test fluids. Observe normal laboratory procedures for
handling potentially dangerous samples. Use proper protective clothing. Use
disposable gloves. Be sure the working area is well ventilated.
Never spill fluids in or on the equipment.
Only use the instrument for its intended purpose. Refer to Section 3.1.
5.2.6 Technical prerequisites
The washer and pump units require no special site preparations. A normal
laboratory bench close to a mains supply socket is quite suitable. The net weight
of the instrument is 10 kg (22 lbs.).
Check that the voltage label on the rear panel of the pump unit conforms to the
supply voltage used in the laboratory. The instrument operates at voltages of 100
– 120 Vac, 220 – 240 Vac and the frequency range 50/60 Hz (see Section 5.3, step
Any suitably skilled person using standard tools may carry out the following
procedure.
1. Rest the pump unit on its side and remove the transit screws (the Allen cap
head type is painted red) using the key supplied (Fig. 5.1, item 5). Relocate
them in the retaining holes provided (Fig. 5.4).
Note: When relocating this instrument or returning it for repair, it is essential
2. Ensure that the pump mains switch is in the OFF position. After checking that
the electrical supply conforms to that specified on the voltage label on the
rear panel of the unit, slide the frequency selector switch (in the pump
model Cat. no. 5160771) to the 50 Hz or 60 Hz position depending on the
mains supply voltage frequency (Fig. 5.4). (Other pump models do not
include a frequency selector.)
Chapter 5: Installation
that the transit screws are refitted. Failure to do so could invalidate the
warranty.
2
1
3
1. Location of the frequency selector switch
2. Retaining holes for the transit screws
3. Transit screws during transportation
Fig. 5.4 Location of the frequency selector switch and the transit screws
3. Turn the pump unit back to its normal position.
Pressuring wash reagent from the wash bottle to the washer
unit
Vacuum feed from the pump to the waste bottle
Waste feed from the washer unit to the waste bottle
Chapter 5: Installation
2. Connect the pressure feed from the pump on the right to the wash bottle
using the black-coded tube.
3. Connect the vacuum feed tube (red) from the pump to the waste bottle
(Fig. 5.9, item 2).
4. Connect the liquid level sensor cord from the liquid trap bottle to the waste
bottle. Make sure the black connector is firmly in place (Fig. 5.9, item 1).
Caution: The liquid level sensor does not function if the connector is not properly
inserted: the black connector has to be pushed down all the way. The
waste bottle may otherwise overfill and cause the liquid trap bottle to
start filling. If at that point the liquid trap bottle is not emptied, the
overflowing waste liquid can enter the pump unit and damage it.
1
1. Liquid level sensor connector
2. Vacuum feed tube
3. Liquid trap bottle cover
Fig. 5.9 Liquid level sensor system
2
3
5. Check that the tubes are properly connected to the pinch valve under the
wash arm assembly on the washer unit (Fig. 4.1, item 14). The thin tube
going through the valve should not be pinched by the edges of the valve.