Ankom TDF - Periodic Maintenance Procedures; Fluid Line Maintenance; Tubing Inspection and Replacement; Pump Lubrication and Calibration

Operator’s Manual
Rev 9/20/18 pg. 81
Periodic Maintenance
Flush and purge the fluid lines
On a weekly basis, follow the procedure in Appendix B step 1.
Inspect and clean the spray tips at each IDF and SDF station
On a monthly basis (or more frequently depending on usage), follow the steps below to inspect and clean the delivery nozzles.
1.
Observe the spray capability during the rinse cycle of an assay.
2.
Remove any plugged nozzles by pulling and turning them (they are friction fit to the delivery tubes).
3.
Clean out the six holes using the Spray Tip Cleaning Tool Kit (part # TDF94) to regain unobstructed fluid passage.
4.
Clean out any foreign matter left by the process (pressurized air may be used to blow out the holes).
5.
Reinstall the spray tips by turning and pushing them onto the delivery tubes.
Inspect and clean chemical containers and filters
On a monthly basis (or more frequently depending on usage), follow the steps below to inspect and clean the chemical
containers and filters.
1.
Inspect the containers, container filters (at the end of the tubing inside each container), and internal tubing, checking
for any precipitate, particles, or foreign matter that may be plugging the filters, the tubes, or settled at the bottom of
the container.
2.
Clean the filters by running them under fast running water. Replace as needed.
3.
Rinse the containers out with water and let air dry as needed.
Regularly clean the instrument surfaces
Wipe down the surface of the instrument whenever spills occur or splatters are observed.
Inspect tubing for wear or leaks
On a monthly basis (or more frequently depending on usage), follow the steps below to inspect the pneumatic and silicone
tubing.
1.
With the instrument connected to pressurized nitrogen, inspect the pressurized air lines. Listen for any audible
leaks and check for cracks or kinks.
2.
Run a Pump Tube Test as described in the Diagnostics Mode section of this manual. Confirm that pressure results
are passing. Inspect the silicone tubing for leaks during this test.
3.
Replace tubing as needed.
Maintain pinch valve tubing
On a yearly basis, replace all pinch valve tubing (TDF71) at the IDF, SDF, waste, and enzyme pinch valves. Refer to TDF
Service Procedure 5 (TS005) at www.ankom.com.
Lubricate peristaltic pump and pump tubing
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On a monthly basis, apply TDF107 Synthetic Grease to the peristaltic pump tubing and rollers to reduce wear and extend life of
the pump tubing. This should be done before the monthly volume calibration check. See TDF Service Procedure 28 (TS028)
for full details.
Retest Fluid Delivery Volume Calibration
Upon receipt of a new instrument and after new pump tubes have first been installed, test and adjust volume calibration on a
weekly basis for the first month. Following that, retest and adjust volume calibration on a monthly basis. Refer to the
QC/Calibration Check - Fluid Delivery section for additional details.
If after running this instrument you plan to leave it unused for 1 week or longer, you
must clear out the fluid lines to ensure proper operation. See “Appendix B –
Instrument Out-of-use Procedure” for more information.