Installation Guide

ASX-560/ASX-280 Autosampler withSprint Valve/ASXPRESS® PLUS

Thermo Scientific™ iCAP™ Q/RQ/TQ or iCAP™ OES 6000/7000 Systems

Thermo Scientific™ Qtegra™ ISDS Software Version 2.7 SR2

Document Part Number 480242 Rev 0

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COPYRIGHT

© 2017 Teledyne Technologies Incorporated. All rights reserved.

480242 Rev 0 , July, 2017

Printed in USA.

Teledyne CETAC Technologies authorizes its customers to reproduce, transmit, or store this document in its entirety, including this page, for the express purpose of installing, operating, or maintaining the product described herein.

Teledyne CETAC TechnologiesCustomer Service & Support14306 Industrial RoadOmaha, Nebraska 68144, USAPhone (800) 369-2822 (USA only)Phone (402) 733-2829

Fax (402) 733-1932E-mail cetacservice@teledyne.com

TRADEMARK ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.

Thermo Scientific, Qtegra, and Intelligent Scientific Data Solution are trademarks of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

PharMed and Tygon areregistered trademarksof Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics.

All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

Overview This guide will help you install your Teledyne CETAC ASX-560/280 autosampler in combination with the ASXPRESS PLUS Rapid Sample Introduction System (Sprint Valve) on Thermo Scientific™ ICP-MS and ICP-OES systems running Qtegra™ ISDS Software version 2.7 SR2 and above (including 2.8).

The Operator’s Manual, which you can find on the included CD, provides more information on every aspect of setting up the autosampler for a standard ICP application.

This guide shows common versions of the ASX-560 autosampler. Your autosampler may have different racks, a different probe, or other minor differences from what is shown.

If updating an existing ASXpress+/Sprint valve please refer to the last section of this document before beginning work.

CHEMICAL INJURY HAZARDThe autosampler is intended for use only by qualified operators who have been trained in safe laboratory practices. Make sure you know the hazards associated with all of the chemicals you are using, and take the appropriate precautions. Exposure to laboratory chemicals may result in serious injury.

MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL HAZARDSThe autosampler has moving parts which can pinch or puncture you. The autosampler also has electrical components which could pose a shock or fire hazard. This guide assumes that you are familiar with autosampler safety. See the Autosampler Safety Manual (included with the autosampler) and the Operator’s Manual (on the CD) for notices and safety information.

WARNING

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Autosampler Components

Figure 1 ASX-560 Autosampler—Front View

Figure 2 ASX-560 Autosampler—Back View

Sample Tray

Standards Vials

Sample Vial Racks

Rinse Station

Arm

Z-Drive Assembly

Power Indicator Lamp

Power Switch

Serial Ports

USB Port

Power Connector

Z-Drive Rotor

Peristaltic Pump

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Step 1: Set Up the AutosamplerInstall the autosampler, following the instructions in the autosampler Quick Installation Guide or Operator’s Manual.

The probe need not be installed at this point; it will be covered later.

Using a USB or serial cable, connect the autosampler to the host computer. DO NOT connect the autosampler to the ASXPRESS PLUS via serial or USB.

USB Connection

1 Connect the USB cable between the host computer and the autosampler.

2 Install the FTDI driver for the USB adapter which can be found on the installation CD that comes with the autosampler. Once installed note which COM Port number has been assigned to the autosampler.

Step 2: Positioning the V/P Module1 Place the valve/pump module as close as possible to the nebulizer of the ICP.

The distance between the valve and the nebulizer is one of the biggest factors in reducing the time per sample with the ASXPRESS PLUS.

2 Loosen the valve mounting screw but do not remove it. Once it is loosened you will be able to orient the valve so that port #5 is turned towards the nebulizer to minimize tubing distance. When the valve is in position, tighten the mounting screw.

(If the valve did not come connected to the V/P module see the Operator’s Manual for instructions on installing it.)

Step 3: Installing the Electronics Module of the ASXPRESS PLUS

Once the V/P module is in place, you can position the electronics module. Find a spot where the system will be out of the way but visible, and where it can conveniently be connected to the V/P module, PC, and power outlets.

1 Turn off the power switch on the electronics module. Check the plug of the power cord to verify that it is of the correct type for your country. Plug the power cord into the power supply. Plug the power supply into the 24V connector on the electronics module.

2 Plug the valve/pump module’s cable connector into the electronics module’s V/P MODULE connector.

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Figure 3 Connecting ASXPRESS PLUS Valve/Pump Module to the Electronics Module

3 Connect the host computer to the electronics module via USB to the GUI COM port on the rear of the electronics module.

Figure 4 Connecting the GUI COM Port on the Electronics Module to the Host Computer

4 Power up the ASXPRESS PLUS unit. On the host computer, the computer screen should display “New Hardware Found.” Note the Com port assigned as this will be your channel of communication with the ASXPRESS PLUS.

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Step 4: Plumbing the ASXPRESS PLUS/ Sprint Valve Valve/Pump ModuleStart by connecting the 1.0 mm probe to the ASX-560/280. The top of the probe is pre-connected to the sample transfer tubing. The tubing needs to be long enough to allow the sample probe to move easily to every position. On the other hand, keep the tubing as short as possible to minimize carryover between samples and loop loading times.

1 Determine the length of the sample transfer tubing you need, and cut it to size. This is most easily determined by attaching the probe to the autosampler and, with the power turned off, moving the arm of the autosampler to the farthest sample position from the V/P module.

2 Connect the free end of the sample transfer tubing to port #2 of the ASXPRESS PLUS or port labelled Autosampler Probe on the Sprint Valve.

If you are unfamiliar with attaching the nuts and ferrules, please refer to the instructions on the last page of this guide.

When installing with an enclosure, connect the trimmed tubing from the sample probe to the inside bulkhead using the nut and ferrule provided. Then attach tubing from the outside bulkhead to the corresponding port on the ASXPRESS PLUS/Sprint valve.

Figure 5 Location of Vacuum Ports on the Valve/Pump Module of the ASXPRESS PLUS

3 Find the restrictor line and connect one of its white fittings to the clear plastic coupler. Then attach the short piece of Tygon tubing to the IN port of the V/P module and the other white fitting to port #3 on the valve.

4 Connect the 14” length of 1mm ID tubing with a green connection nut to port #6 of the valve or to the correspondingly labelled port on the Sprint valve. If using the passive bubbler tee, detach the tee and connect the other end of the 1 mm tubing to the output of the instrument’s peristaltic pump. It is recommended to use the same tubing size as was being used for sample aspiration prior to ASXPRESS PLUS installation.

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5 Install a sample loop between ports #1 and #4 of the 6-port valve. The size of the loop is determined by the length of analysis and the peri-pump speed.

6 Connect one end of the 60” length of 1/8” tubing to the OUT port of the vacuum pump and place the other end into a waste container. Ensure that the tubing is not submerged below liquid level in the waste as it can affect performance of the system. Shorten tubing as needed.

7 Assemble the passive bubbler tee by connecting the three fittings and tubing as shown in the picture below. Connect the clear tubing of the bubbling tee to the input of the instrument’s peristaltic pump and place the tan PEEK tube of the bubbling tee in the hole of the bottle of rinse/carrier solution.

Figure 6 Passive Bubbling Tee

It is recommended to attach a small piece (1/2 inch) of peri-pump tubing to the end of the black PEEK tubing. This will help to prevent blockages in the line.

If you intend to use the internal standard mixing tee, please skip the next step and move on to the next page.

8 Connect the 14” length of .5 mm ID tubing with the blue connection nut to port #5 of the valve, or to the correspondingly labelled port of the sprint valve. Cut the tubing to the shortest possible length which allows connection between the valve and the ICP nebulizer without any kinking. Keeping this tubing short provides the greatest time savings while operating the ASXPRESS PLUS system.

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Installing the Optional Internal Standard Addition Mixing TeeThe optional internal standard addition mixing tee provides a practical and consistent way to mix each sample with an internal standard. This technique is commonly used to correct for a variable matrix or plasma related effects.

The installation kit comes with additional tubing of three different IDs. It is recommended to use the same size for the IS line and the line connecting to the valve and to use the next size up for the connection to the nebulizer.

Figure 7 Internal Standard Addition Mixing Tee

1 Position the tee between the nebulizer and the valve so as to provide the shortest path length without causing kinks or strain in the tubing. The tee can hang freely on the tubing; it does not need to be mounted. Once positioned, cut the tubing down as much as possible.

2 Attach the yellow fitting to the PFA tubing and then connect it to one of the outside ports of the internal standard mixing tee. Insert the other end of the tubing to a peri-pump tubing output on the ICP-MS/ICP-OES peristaltic pump. It may help to cut this end at an angle. Insert another length of PFA tubing in to the input side of the peristaltic pump tubing and place the other end in the internal standard solution reservoir.

3 Attach a blue fitting to the same ID PFA tubing as used for the IS line. Connect this fitting to the other outside port of the internal standard mixing tee and connect the other end of the tubing to port #5 of the valve via another blue fitting.

4 Attach the red fitting to a larger ID PFA tubing and connect to the center port of the internal standard mixing tee. Connect the other end to the ICP nebulizer.

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Step 5: Configuring the Hardware within the Qtegra Configurator

1 Install the latest Teledyne CETAC plug-in for Qtegra (at time of writing it is version 4.1.3.5).

2 Open Configurator and create a new configuration. Insert corresponding ICP-MS/ICP-OES instrument into the configuration list from the instrument items.

Figure 8 Creating a New Configuration in Qtegra’s Configurator

3 Insert the ASX-560/280 from the instrument items into the new configuration. Right click on the newly added autosampler and select Edit Settings.

Figure 9 Adding Instruments Into the New Configuration

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4 Under the Autosampler tab, configure the following settings:

Figure 10 Setting up the Autosampler within the configurator

Enable Sprint Valve – Change from False to True. This will open up a second Tab labelled Sprint Valve.

Analysis Pump Speed – Set to its maximum value of 100% for the 2mm ID tubing. Note that this will override the speed if it was set to a different value using the CETAC ASX Dashboard software.

Com Port – Use the port number for the autosampler that you noted previously.

Dips Per Rinse – Set to 1 to optimize speed of system.

Wash Time – Change the value to 0 seconds.

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5 Select the Sprint Valve tab and under Communication settings change the COM Port number to the value for the ASXPRESS PLUS/Sprint Valve you noted previously.

Figure 11 Setting up the Sprint Valve within the configurator

6 Now enter the timing parameters that are required for your particular method under the Evacuation Settings, Load and Injection Settings and Probe Rinse Parameters. Note that all times here are in seconds.

Evacuation SettingsExtra Loop Rinse – Changing this value to True will add a wash before sample aspiration. The Extra Loop Rinse is made up of two parts: first, rinse solution is pulled through the sample loop; second, air is pulled through the loop to prepare for sample aspiration.

Loop Rinse Delay - The time that rinse solution will be pulled through the sample loop. Normally this is set to be equal to or slightly less than the sample loop load.

Loop Evacuation Delay – The time that air will be pulled through the loop before the sample is aspirated.

Load and Injection SettingsLoop Load Time – This is the time necessary to pull the sample fully in to the loop. Typically, this value is slightly larger than the sample loop size in mL (A 2mL sample loop will take 2.5s to load).

Equalization Delay – This timing allows the vacuum pump to cycle down and pressure equilibrium to establish, both of which are necessary before the valve switches to inject position (normally between 1 and 2 s).

After the valve switches to the inject position the sample is pushed to the nebulizer by the ICP-MS/ICP-OES peristaltic pump. While the sample is being analyzed the probe visits the rinse station to wash out the sample introduction line.

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Probe Rinse ParametersTime to Evacuate Probe – Before visiting the rinse station the probe line is emptied via the vacuum pump. The default time of 1 second works well for most applications.

Probe Wash –Time that the vacuum pump will pull rinse solution from the rinse station. Typically this is set between 3 and 5 seconds, though it can be set longer if desired.

Rinse Station Fill – After the Probe Rinse, the autosampler probe is raised and the autosampler peristaltic pump continues filling the rinse station. It is necessary to set this value so that the rinse station completely fills with rinse solution for the next rinse cycle.

Figure 12 Example settings for the ASXPRESS PLUS/Sprint Valve within the Configurator

1 Once all settings have been entered click OK to complete the setup. Save the configuration before exiting the configurator.

2 Open Qtegra and load the newly completed configuration. Once the configuration has loaded, check that the status light for the autosampler is green and check that the setup has been completed correctly by conducting manual movements for the autosampler and home the valve of the ASXPRESS PLUS/Sprint Valve. If the autosampler or ASXPRESS PLUS/Sprint Valve fail to move then it is likely that one or both of the COM port values are incorrect.

3 It is likely that after setting the timings you will wish to make some alterations. You will need to pause the run in order to make changes to optimize your ASXpress timings. It is not uncommon to require several iterations to get things running smoothly. Typically we recommend running blanks and then iterations of a middle standard in order to test out the timings.

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Upgrading Systems from ASX-520 to ASX-560 with ASXPRESS PLUS/Sprint Valve Already Set UpIf you are updating a system with an existing ASXpress/Sprint valve in place follow the steps outlined here.

1 Open Xpress Config/Sprint Valve software and click on the Connect to the ASXpress+ button making sure the correct COM port is selected. Note the COM port number and the method settings to input into STEP 6 - Configuring the Hardware within the Qtegra Configurator.

TIP

Capture or print this screen for later reference.

Figure 13 Xpress Config (typical settings are shown)

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2 UNTICK Enable ASXpress Operation and then click Save Configuration to ASXpress+.

Figure 14 Disabling ASXpress Operation in the Xpress Config Tool

3 Close the Xpress Config/Sprint Valve software. Remove the communications cables from the OEM COM and Autosampler ports on the back of the electronics module as well as their corresponding connection ports on the host PC and autosampler.

4 Remove the redundant ASX-520 from the workspace and follow steps 1, 4, and 5 to install the new ASX-560 into the setup.

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Ferrule InstallationThe ASXPRESS PLUS 6-port valve accepts ¼-28 flangeless fitting nuts with a collapsible ferrule.

To install a nut and ferrule combination, ensure that the connecting 1/16 inch OD tubing is cut with a flat end.

1 Thread the 1/16” OD tubing through the nut first and then the ferrule. Set the ferrule so that the tubing sticks out ¼ to ½ an inch.

2 Insert the combination nut/ferrule into the nut and ferrule position placement fitting. Maintain slight pressure on the tubing as you tighten down the nut.

3 Give a slight tug on the tubing to ensure that it is snugly connected. Remove from the placement fitting and verify that the tubing is flush with the end of the ferrule. An example can be seen below.

Figure 17 Attaching a ferrule and nut

Note the positioning of the ferrule and the length of extra tubing. In step 3 you can see that the tubing is now flush with the end of the ferrule. These fittings should only ever be finger tight—do not use tools as overtightening can damage the fittings and the valve.