Transcript
ACCURAMATIC Mk7 DISPENSER Liquid Filling Machine
ACCURAMATIC 40-42 Windsor Road : King's Lynn Norfolk : UK : PE30 5PL tel & fax: ++44 (0) 1553 777253 www.accuramatic.co.uk email: info@ accuramatic.co.uk
Operator's Handbook
index 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Mk7 diagrams and controls - front Mk7 diagrams and controls - rear Tubing selection and insertion Dose preparation Operating instructions - manual dosing Operating instructions - automatic dosing External connections - PC linking Tubing materials Optimising performance Troubleshooting Maintenance and testing
maintenance Sterilisation
Tubing, nozzles etc may be sterilised by autoclaving. If required the whole machine may be sterilised with ethylene oxide.
Routine maintenance
No routine maintenance is required, but an occasional check for loose fasteners, and on pump bearings and drive shaft condition is suggested: check the pump rollers and shaft by hand for bearings that are seized or worn. Bearing life is usually at least ten years. Replacement is possible, contact Accuramatic for details.
Circuit breaker
No fuse is fitted: the on/off switch incorporates a circuit breaker rated at 1.8A. In the event of an overload, the switch illuminates. Pressing the switch to "off" prompts a reset, signalled by an audible click. The machine can then be switched on again.
Opening the case
PAT testing
!! DISCONNECT MAINS POWER FIRST !! The case is opened by removing the fixing screws rear and bottom, and sliding the cover back 5cms, before springing the lower edges of the cover outwards and lifting it clear of the case. When replacing the cover, ensure that the front end engages correctly.
Many applications and establishments will require that the machine be PAT tested before and during service. The Accuramatic Mk7 is safety tested after manufacture in the following areas: 2. Earth bond 1. Visual inspection 4. Load test 3. Insulation 6. Earth leakage test 5. Operation test 7. Fuse test In common with most microprocessor controlled devices, a flash test is not performed, and it is not recommended.
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mk7 front controls
troubleshooting
Brake options
Pump options Variations in volume
x
clockwise rotation
normal braking
anticlockwise rotation
soft stop
non-pumping mode
reverse stop
A V
lcd display V
Viscous liquids
Mechanical problems
If viscous liquids are being filled, accurate dosing will depend on adequate flow to the pump; keep the inlet tube as short as possible and consider using a larger diameter tube on the inlet side. Temperature variations may cause large changes in liquid viscosity, resulting in changes in volume output: it is best if viscous liquids can equilibriate with the ambient temperature before filling.
Should these occur, they are unlikely to cause only small variations in volumes, but will be major enough to be immediately obvious - contact the manufacturers for advice on repairs.
pump options
Accuramatic mk7
Variations in output are usually due to problems with tubing rather than mechanical function. If output doses vary this may indicate that the tubing is reaching the end of its life. Low volumes interspersed with occasional high doses indicate that the tubing may be obstructed, either by kinking, blockage, or because the end of the tubing is adhering to the reservoir by suction. If the tubing is loose in the tubing clamp, it may move through the pump, producing inaccurate results.
auto button up button down button dose button
x
brake options
pump clamp screw
tubing clamp
thumb nut securing pump cover plate
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mk7 rear controls
optimising performance Pumping operation
handle
air vents
air spigot for attaching push-on foot actuator mains switch and circuit breaker
XYZ interface
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Changing pump orientation mains inlet socket
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The level of accuracy obtained from this machine can be enhanced by careful operation. Where close tolerances are required it is beneficial to keep the tip of the delivery nozzle under the surface of the liquid. It is advisable to monitor output from time to time, and make minor corrections to dosing times if necessary.
RS232 link 1
reset button
XY interface socket
The suction power of a peristaltic pump arises from the flattened tubing regaining its shape. The tubing's elasticity will eventually deteriorate with use and it should be replaced when accuracy lessens The efficiency of the pump is affected by the ease with which liquid can enter it. Variations in viscosity and in the height of liquid in the reservoir can have a marked effect on this. The figures below give an indication of the factors involved. Viscosity of liquid Pumping efficiency water 100% 50cP 85% 100cP 60% Effect of change in reservoir level, per 10 cm 0.5% 3.2mm tubing 1.0% 8mm tubing
The orientation of the pump can be altered for greater convenience. Slacken the machine screw under the pump (4mm hex key, provided). The pump head can then be rotated to the desired angle. Pointing the pump upward is useful where reservoir and delivery are on opposite sides of the machine, or point pump to right or left where both are the same side. Tighten the locking screw when the pump is in the desired position.
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dosing preparation
connections Connections
Connectors are provided for direct interfacing with our XY2 and XYZ distributors. Also installed is an RS232 connection (9D socket) which can import from a laptop or PC.
Data import
Data can be imported directly from a PC: it must be in binary form and include zeros to pad data to four digits per dose. Decimal points are not sent: two decimal places are assumed. Format is 8 bits, one stop, no parity, 2400 baud rate. If you would like more details on this facility please contact the manufacturers.
Using with Excel spreadsheets
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The filling time is estimated by dividing the required dose by the aqueous flow rate.
Inserting tubing
Slacken both knobs securing the clear cover onto the pump and remove it. Undo the tubing clamp plate and remove. The rotor can be turned freely by hand and the tubing inserted. A gap of 3-5mm should be left between the tubing and the pump bed to allow for its expansion whilst in use. When the tubing is in place, tighten the clamping plate so as to grip the tubing without squashing it. The small tubing has sleeves (inner edges 21cm apart) which should lie under the clamp for effective grip.
Optimising filling time
Before commencing any tests or filling, the pump should be primed. Immerse the supply tubing in the reservoir and the delivery tubing either back into the reservoir or another container. Run the pump for a few seconds, filling the tube and running the excess into the chosen container or reservoir. Where compatible, it is recommended that initial tests are done with water to avoid wastage of product.
The facility exists to import data directly from an Excel spreadsheet. If you feel this could be of use to you, please contact Accuramatic for further details.
tubing materials Tubing materials
Estimating filling time
The high strength silicone tubing supplied with the Mk7 is inert to a wide range of liquids, including many corrosive inorganic compounds and some organic solvents. Some organics and many essential oils can cause the tubing to swell and become inaccurate. If in doubt about suitability, test by immersing a 10cm length in the liquid for 72 hours, less than 3mm expansion in length suggests satisfactory operation. Alternative tubing materials are available, please contact the manufacturers for advice. A guide to the compatibility of tubing and various chemicals is available on our website www.accuramatic.co.uk.
Tubing bore (mm) Delivery rate (ml/sec) 0.35 0.8 1.5 1.6 6 3.2 12 4.8 25 6.3 36 8
Dose range (ml) up to 3 3 to 10 10 to 20 20 to 50 50 to 125 over 125
Estimate the dosing time. Please note that the time shown is the effective pumping time, the actual duration will be slightly longer due to the characteristics of peristaltic pump operation. After weighing the dose obtained, the delivery time should be increased or decreased until the desired volume is reached. 3
operating instructions Manual operation Switch on machine
After making all the required connections, switch on the machine (push the black switch at the rear of the case, above the mains inlet). The processor loads the most recently used dosing and interval times, and displays the dose time. Brake and pump options will default to normal, clockwise delivery.
Insert tubing and select rotation
Two presses of the pump option button (leftmost of the lower row) selects brake-off mode, in which the dispensing operation is suspended. The light beside the circle with a cross inside is lit, the pump rotor can be turned freely by hand and tubing removed and inserted. For details of tubing selection and fitting see page 3. Pressing the pump option button again allows rotation to be selected.
Select braking options
Input dose time
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The second button from the left on the lower row provides three braking options. The top, default selection is normal braking. One press selects soft-stopping mode (the pump slows to a halt, avoiding the introduction of bubbles when filling agar plates). Another press selects reverse stopping, in which the pump runs backwards briefly at the end of each dose (reducing the formation of drips when pumping low surface tension liquids). Using the up and down buttons on the right hand side of the panel, adjust the dosing time until the required value is displayed (in seconds, to a precision of 1/100th second). The buttons auto-repeat, and the display rolls round (from 99.99 to 00.00 and vice versa). The dose time refers to effective pumping time, the actual duration of pump operation is adjusted to compensate for rotor pulsations. The table on page 3 provides a guideline for dosing times.
operating instructions Commence dosing Emergency stopping
To start dispensing, press the dose button or footswitch. The pump will run for the selected time.
Finish dosing
When the work session has been completed and the machine is switched off, the last used values (dose and interval times) will have been saved, ready to be reloaded when the dispenser is next switched on.
To stop dispensing instantly, press the auto button (top right, marked with an A). Operation will cease without completing the current dose.
Automatic operation Set up
Set up tubing, select brake and delivery option and input dose times as for manual operation.
Input interval time
Press the auto button (top right, marked with an A). The last used interval time will be displayed (in seconds, to 1/10th second). Adjust this with the up and down buttons to the desired value. Should this time prove unsuitable during filling, it can be adjusted with these buttons without halting dosing.
Commence dosing
Press the dose button or footswitch to commence the automatic dosing cycle. Repeat dosing will continue, separated by the chosen interval, until the dose button or footswitch is pressed. Any dose that has been started will then complete normally and the machine will remain in auto mode.
Emergency stopping
To stop dispensing instantly, press the auto button (top right, marked with an A). Operation will cease without completing the current dose, and the machine will return to manual mode.
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