The NMReady™ 60e is a compact, benchtop Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometer designed for ease of use and accessibility in various laboratory settings. It serves as a powerful analytical tool for chemical analysis, allowing users to acquire NMR spectra for sample identification, purity assessment, and structural elucidation. The instrument is designed to be operated as a stand-alone unit, but also offers optional network and internet connectivity for enhanced functionality and support.
Function Description
The primary function of the NMReady 60e is to perform NMR spectroscopy, a technique that exploits the magnetic properties of atomic nuclei to determine the physical and chemical properties of atoms or the molecules in which they are contained. It is capable of acquiring NMR spectra, which provide detailed information about the molecular structure of a sample. The instrument is particularly useful for routine analysis, educational purposes, and quality control applications where a full-scale, high-field NMR spectrometer might be impractical or unnecessary.
Usage Features
- Stand-alone Operation: The NMReady 60e can be operated independently, with a built-in touch panel display serving as the primary interface. This allows for direct interaction with the instrument without the need for an external computer.
- Intuitive Interface: The instrument features a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) that simplifies the process of acquiring and analyzing NMR data. The main screen includes clear buttons for "Standby," "Status," "Results," "Setup," and "Help," making navigation straightforward. A prominent "Go" button initiates the spectral acquisition once a solvent is selected.
- Installation Wizard: Upon initial power-up, the instrument automatically runs an installation wizard, guiding the user through the setup process. This wizard typically takes 3-5 hours to complete, ensuring the instrument is properly configured for operation.
- Solvent Selection: The "Go" button for starting an experiment remains greyed out until a solvent is selected, emphasizing the importance of proper solvent calibration for accurate results.
- Sample Warmer: An external sample warmer is provided to maintain NMR samples and solvent reference tubes at the ideal temperature, matching the instrument's NMR magnet. This feature is crucial for optimal performance, as un-heated samples or references can degrade the spectrometer's accuracy. Samples should be placed in the warmer for at least 5 minutes before usage.
- Network Connectivity (Optional): The NMReady 60e offers optional LAN and Internet connectivity, expanding its utility.
- Internet-based features: These include screen sharing with customer service agents for troubleshooting or training, and proactive performance monitoring by Nanalysis customer service.
- LAN-based features: These allow for uploading spectra to a shared folder and printing to a network printer.
- Network Ports: The instrument utilizes various network ports for different functions: SMB (ports 445, 139) for file sharing uploads, Printing (setup dependent), SSH (port 22) for OS access (disabled by default), VNC (port 5900) for remote control (disabled by default), VNC (port 5500) for screen-sharing help, and FTP (port 21) for transfer of log files. The instrument obtains its IP address using DHCP, and the Mac ID is available from the sales representative.
- Solvent Reference Kit: The instrument comes with a solvent reference kit containing three color-coded tubes (Blue, Yellow, Pink) used for calibrating the spectrometer to the specific solvent being used. These tubes should be kept warm in the sample warmer.
- Blue tubes: D₂O, d-Chloroform, d2-dichloromethane.
- Yellow tubes: d6-benzene, d6-dimethylsulfoxide, DMSO, d8-toluene, d8-tetrahydrofuran.
- Pink tubes: d4-acetic acid, d6-acetone, d3-acetonitrile, d4-methanol, d-trifluoroacetic acid.
- Solvent Management: Users can add or remove solvents from the instrument's solvent list through the "Setup" > "System" > "Solvents" menu, allowing for customization based on experimental needs.
- Operating Recommendations:
- Continuous Power: For best performance, it is recommended to leave the spectrometer powered on at all times. This helps maintain the NMR magnet at an optimal temperature, which is critical for operation. Turning off the unit overnight can lead to a cooling magnet, requiring several hours the next day to heat up and shim to the target resolution/line-width.
- Standby Shimming: The NMReady 60e features a Standby Shimming mode to maintain optimal line shape when the instrument is not actively in use. This mode can be activated via a button in the upper left corner of the main screen and is recommended for periods of inactivity such as overnight, weekends, holidays, or extended work breaks.
Maintenance Features
- Site Adjustments:
- Minor Movement: If the instrument is moved even a few inches from its current location, a full shim is recommended to ensure optimal performance.
- New Bench/Room: For moves to a new bench or a different room/building, a "Site Installation" procedure should be performed, accessible via the "Setup" button and then "Service" > "Scripts."
- Power Cycle: When powering the instrument off and on, it is important to wait for all automated tests to complete before proceeding with experiments.
- Broken Tube Removal Tool: A specialized tool is included for removing broken NMR tubes from the instrument.
- Procedure for Broken Tube Removal:
- If a broken tube can be grasped, unscrew the white NMR tube guide and use plastic (non-magnetic) tweezers to pull it out linearly.
- If the tube is not sufficiently exposed, shut down the instrument and unplug the power cord.
- Carefully tilt the spectrometer onto its flat back (preferably with two people to prevent dropping) and remove the drain filter cap on the bottom.
- Push the broken tube removal tool up through the drainage hole to expose enough of the broken tube to grasp it.
- Once the tube is removed, place the spectrometer back on the tabletop and rinse the tube channel with a small amount of an appropriate solvent (e.g., Isopropyl alcohol).
- Allow the solvent to dry completely before plugging the power cord back in.
- Important Safety Note: Never place the spectrometer completely upside down. Exercise caution as broken NMR tubes can be sharp and may contain dangerous materials; appropriate tools and personal protection equipment should always be used.
- Shipping the Instrument: For safe transport, specific steps must be followed:
- Remove all foam inserts from the black plastic shipping case.
- Carefully lower the instrument into the case with one strong person, ensuring the back of the instrument is closest to the case's wheels.
- Add foam layers and accessories into their designated slots.
- Close the case using all clips.
- With two strong people, carefully lower the plastic case into the wooden crate.
- Place the hard foam layer and then the lid on the crate.
- Secure the crate with screws (not nails).
- Ship the crate marked as "fragile" and "dangerous goods" (DG). Although the product itself is not dangerous, this designation ensures better handling regarding temperature stability and protection from shock/vibration during transit.
The NMReady 60e is designed to be a robust and user-friendly NMR solution, providing reliable analytical capabilities with thoughtful features for both operation and maintenance.
Need help?
General
To Next Page