Dynex DSX - Chapter 6 The Pipette Module;XYZ Drive; 6.1 Overview

Overview
DSX™ System Service Manual 6-1
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Chapter 6 The Pipette Module/XYZ Drive
6.1 Overview
The Pipette Module is used to:
Pick up pipette tips from the pipette trays in the work area.
Aspirate the various fluids (for example, samples, controls, blanks) from the
appropriate containers
Dispense the various fluids into the desired wells on the microplate
Deliver used tips to waste.
Move the plate from one module to another (for example, from the ambient tray to the
reader).
The present position of the pipette module and the coordinates of each “device” are stored in
memory. The pipette module is moved by the XYZ drive as determined by the
microcomputer, which calculates the number of steps in each direction that must be taken to
position the module to perform the desired task. As an example, if the pipette module is at
position a, b, c and has to go to position d, e, f to pick up a plate from the incubation module,
the microcomputer will move the pipette module d-a steps in the X direction, e-b steps in the
Y direction and f-c steps in the Z direction.
In addition to monitoring the position of the pipette module, the microcomputer:
Monitors the usage of pipette tips so that the pipette module can be positioned to pick
up the next pipette tip on the pipette tray (rather than being sent to a position that does
not have a pipette).
Monitors the location of the various samples, standards, blanks as well as the volume
in the standards and blank tubes.
When the pipette module is in the desired position, the microcomputer will issue a signal to
perform the desired operation, which might be to lift the plate from the incubator tray or to
withdraw an amount of liquid from the sample vial.
In normal operation, the position of the pipette module and the activity to be performed are
determined by the steps in assay that is being run. As an alternative, the service engineer can
use the DSX Manual Control command on the Tools menu to manually perform the desired
operations (instead of running an assay.) as described in Chapter 5.