Page 18 Rev.

®
Stat Fax -2200
Micro-plate Incubator/Shaker

Service Manual

Table of Contents

Section Page

1. Introduction 1
1.1 Removing the Cover 1
1.2 The Heat Plate 2
1.3 The Shaker Box 2
1.4 The Chassis 2
1.5 The Covers 2
1.6 The Adaptor 2
Specifications 3
2. Principles of Operation 4
2.1 Heating 4
2.2 Temperature Measurement 4
2.3 Temperature Control 4
2.4 Calibration 5
2.5 Shaking 5
2.6 SpeedMeasurement 5
2.7 Speed Control 5
2.8 The Fan 6
2.9 Timing 6
2.10 The Keyboard 6
2.11 The Display 6
3. Trouble Shooting 7
4. Appendices (Schematics, layouts) 9

Copyright 1992 Awareness Technology, Inc., 5/3/94 Rev. B.2

2200 Service Manual
Information given in this manual is restricted for use by authorized personnel and is to be used for the sole purpose of providing routine
instrument maintenance and repair services.
Rev. B Page1
1. Introduction

The 2200 combines the function of incubator, timer, and

orbital mixer. Each function can work independently of the
others, and is easily configured by the user using the unit's
keyboard.

1.1 Removing the Cover

To remove the chassis cover, remove the smoked plastic

cover, then turn the unit upside down. Remove the five cover
screws as shown below. Unplug the keyboard from the main PC
Board and set the cover aside.

2200 Service Manual

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 Page2 Rev. B
1.2 The Heat Plate

On the top of the heat plate assembly is the bracket used to

hold the two microtiter plates in place. On the bottom are the
six heating resistors which are used to warm the plate. Mounted
in the upright spacer is the thermistor probe that measures the
temperature of the air inside the box. The trim-pot mounted on
the plate is used for factory calibration.

1.3 The Shaker Box

The heat plate is mounted into the shaker box using four
spacers. Inside the enclosure of the box, the air is temperature
controlled. In the box are the shaker motor, the rotating coun-
terweight, and the opto gate. As the drive motor turns the
counterweight assembly the entire box moves on its flexible
legs. The opto gate is used by the microprocessor to measure
and control the motor speed. See section 2.6.

1.4 The Main Chassis

The shaker box and the heat plate are mounted onto the
main chassis. Also on the chassis are the printed circuit board,
the fan, the power switch, and the power converter bridge.

1.5 The Covers

The 2200 has three separate covers. The outer chassis

cover mounts directly onto the main chassis and covers the unit.
The inner splash cover is attached by hinges to the top of the
shaker box. It protects the reagents, and encloses the box so that
it may be temperature controlled. The outer smoked cover
protects the plate from light and further insulates the system.

1.6 The Adaptor

The 2200 uses either a 120V AC to 12V AC 2 Amp

adaptor or a 220V AC to 12V AC 19.2 Watt adaptor. Note: The
proper adaptor must be used or the unit may be perma-
nently damaged.

2200 Service Manual

Information given in this manual is restricted for use by authorized personnel and is to be used for the sole purpose of providing routine
instrument maintenance and repair services.
Rev. B
Rev. B.1 Page3
Specifications

Stat Fax® -2200 Incubator/Shaker

Incubator

Temperature range: ambient to 40½C

Resolution 0.1½C
Uniformity with cover: better than +/- .4½C
Mechanism: warmed aluminum bed
Warm up time: 15 minutes typical, display temperature to check
Temperature detector: thermistor, feedback, heuristic software

Mixer
Speeds: gradual steps, from gentle agitation to vigorous
mixing, 10 speeds
Options: continuous or pulse (3 second interval)
Mechanism: orbital mixing achieved by rotating counterweight

Timer

Modes: set time, view time remaining, audible signal

Resolution: one second
Range: one second to 99 minutes and 59 seconds

Electronic

Display: red, 7-segment, 4-digit LED

Keyboard: 16-key, enunciating membrane switch, 4x4
Power requirements: 12V AC, 2 Amp or 19.2 Watt adaptor, provided
Microprocessor: Z80A

Other

Vessel: holds 2 standard microtiter plates

Enclosure: ABS plastic casing, metal base
Aerosol guard: smoke-tint plexi glass cover
Dimensions: approx. 10 x 10 x 4" with cover, 6.5 lbs.
(26 x 26 x 10 cm, 14.3 kg)

2200 Service Manual

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 Page4 Rev.
Rev.B.1
B
2. Principles of Operation

Each of the control and measurement systems built into the

2200 are microprocessor controlled.

2.1 Heating

Mounted below the heat plate are six aluminum power

resistors. Each of the 3 ohm resistors are secured with two small
screws. Thermal grease is placed under each one to insure good
heat transmission. The resistors are wired in series and run at 12
volts, giving the system an effective output of 8 watts.
The power to the resistors is switched on and off by the
microprocessor using a 2N4401 (Q11) and a TIP32 (Q5). The
method of control is described in section 2.3.

2.2 Temperature Measurement

Mounted on the top of the heat plate, in the top of a spacer,

is a thermistor. A thermistor is simply a resistor whose resis-
tance varies with temperature by a known relationship. The
thermistor controls the output of the oscillator which is fed into
the 8253 counter chip. The software then coverts the counts to
temperature. The trim-pot in series with the thermistor is used
to calibrate the unit.
Awareness Technology, Inc. will provide, upon request, a
Temperature Probe Plate Accessory, Part #002299. This plate
is a modified 96-well micro plate which, when used in conjunc-
tion with a digital ohmmeter, allows the user to verify the
incubation temperature of the STAT FAX®-2200 at 37
degreesC.

2.3 Temperature Control

The software samples the 8253 counter once per second

and converts the accumulated count into a temperature. The
measured temperature is displayed, then compared to the set
point. The software will turn the heaters on or off accordingly.
(When the unit is displaying the temperature, the decimal point
under the degree symbol will light when the heaters are on.)
If the temperature is near the set point, the software will
pulse the heaters on and off to maintain the temperature. The
software is also heuristic. It measures the effect of the heating
modes and determines which modes and which parameters to
use in order to best maintain the temperature.

2200 Service Manual

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Rev. B
Rev. B.1 Page5
2.4 Calibration

The temperature system is factory calibrated so that the

temperature of the fluid in the microtiter plate is maintained at
the operator's keypad entered SET TEMP. In order to maintain
the temperature of the fluid, the heating plate may be a few
degrees warmer than the displayed (fluid) temperature. Fluid
temperature measurement cannot be done with a thermometer.
We recommend use of a thermstor based sensor. Field verifi-
cation of temperature setting at 37°C is best performed using
the Temperature Proble Plate Accessory (Mfg. Part #002299).

2.5 Shaking

The shaker motor is mounted on the bottom of the shaker

box with the shaft facing upwards. Attached to the shaft is the
counterweight assembly. This includes the center nylon cou-
pler, the metal counterweight, and the interruptor vane.
As the motor turns, the counterweight throws the box into
motion. The orbit of the shake is varied by changing the speed
of the motor. Note: The speed of the DC motor is varied by
turning the motor on and off in a quick cycle.

2.6 Speed Measurement

As the counterweight assembly rotates, the interruptor

vane passes through the opto gate mounted on the bottom of the
shaker box, When the light beam is interrupted, it causes a Non-
Maskable Interrupt (NMI).

2.7 Speed Control

The DC motor is not actually capable of running at more

than a single speed. However, the microprocessor turns the
motor on and off in a quick cycle so that the motor runs at a
slower speed. By varying the amount of time on and off during
a given cycle, the speed can be changed.
When the microprocessor receives an NMI (produced
when the interruptor vane passes through the opto gate), the
software compares the time between NMIs to the set point and
adjusts the motor speed (cycle) accordingly.

2200 Service Manual

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 Page6 Rev.
Rev.B.1
B
2.8 The Fan

The system fan is used both to control temperature and to

prevent condensation from forming on the bottom of the inner
splash cover. If the temperature is more than 0.5°C above the set
point, the fan will be turned on to cool the unit down. Normally,
then fan cycles on and off (on for approximately 30 seconds,
and off for 60.) This prevents condesation from forming on the
inner splash cover. When the fan is turned on, the air is caught
by the inner splash cover and directed into the box.

2.9 Timing

The 8253 triple 16 bit counter is used to generate the

system time base. The 2 Mhz clock is fed into the chip which
is used to generate the system interrupts. The system interrupts
are used for all timing functions.

2.10 The Keyboard

The keyboard consists of a 4 X 4 membrane keypad,

mounted underneath the overlay on the chassis cover. PPI ports
PB4 through PB7 (from the 8255) are used as the scan output
lines, and ports PC0 through PC3 are used for scan input. Ports
PC0 through PC3 are pulled up by a 10K SIP.

2.11 The Display

The display consists of four 7 segment LEDs. PPI ports

PA0 through PA7 are used to drive the eight "data" lines (7
segments, and the decimal point). Ports PB0 through PB3 are
used to switch four transistors (2N4401 Q1-Q4) which switch
the power on to each of the LEDs. The software scans each of
the LEDs in turn, to produce the apparent continuous image.

2200 Service Manual

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instrument maintenance and repair services.
Rev. B
Rev. B.1 Page7

2200 Service Manual

Information given in this manual is restricted for use by authorized personnel and is to be used for the sole purpose of providing routine
instrument maintenance and repair services.
 Page8 Rev. B

2200 Service Manual

Information given in this manual is restricted for use by authorized personnel and is to be used for the sole purpose of providing routine
instrument maintenance and repair services.
Rev. B
Rev. B.1 Page9
3. Trouble Shooting

Listed below are a series of problems and their possible

solutions. Note: In this section, the term shaker refers to the
shaker mechanism itself.

• The beeper, heater, fan, or motor does not work, but the
display shows "rdY" when the instrument is turned on.

Theses devices are all controlled by the latch (74LS373

U8) but share the same PPI lines as the display. If the
display functions correctly, but none of the above devices
work, the problem is most likely the latch. However, if
only one of the devices does not work, the problem is
probably with the device itself, or with the part that
switches it. See the second page of the schematic for more
information.

• The displayed temperature is 68°C and does not change.

If the connection to the thermistor is broken, then the

oscillator will not run, and the displayed temperature will
be meaningless. Check the connection to the thermistor.

• The heaters do not seem to be warming the plate.

When the software turns the heater on it will light the

decimal point under the degree symbol. Make sure that the
software is trying to warm the plate, and then check the
connections and the wiring. If the connectors are installed
correctly, check R13, Q11, R15, and Q5.

• The timer does not accurately count the seconds.

Check the system clock. It should be 2.0 Mhz.

• The keyboard does not work, or does not work correctly.

Check that the keytail is plugged into the connector cor-

rectly. If necessary, the contacts can be cleaned with a
pencil eraser. Refer to the diagram in section 2.9, and to the
schematic for more information.

2200 Service Manual

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Page 10 Rev.
Rev.B.1
B
• The shaker has been turned on, but is not moving

Make sure that the mechanism is not physically jammed,

and use the wiring diagram to make sure that the connec-
tors are plugged in correctly. If both are correct, then check
R14 and Q9.

• The shaker came on immediately, as soon as the unit was

turned on.

Check Q9 (TIP 32)

• When the shaker is turned on, it runs at full speed.

The Z80 is not receiving NMIs from the opto gate. Check
that the connectors are installed correctly, and that the
interruptor vane passes between the LED and the transistor
as shown.

• The shaker changes speed erratically.

The software controls the speed by comparing the number

of NMIs (from the opto gate) to the number of system
interrupts. Check that the Z80 is receiving the NMIs and
the system interrupts from the 8253.

• There is a mechanical "clacking" noise when the shaker is

running.

The counterweight assembly is probably hitting the opto

gate. Make sure that when the assembly spins the vane
passes between the LED and the transistor mounted on the
board as shown.

• The shaker is not moving evenly.

Check the flexible legs of the shaker box are fitted firmly
onto the spacers. If one or more of the legs is not seated
properly, the shaker will orbit in an ellipse rather than a
circle.

2200 Service Manual

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Rev. B.1 Page11
Rev. B Page 11

SUBASSEMBLY G

2200 Service Manual

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instrument maintenance and repair services.
Page 12 Rev.
Rev.B.1
B

2200 Service Manual

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instrument maintenance and repair services.
Rev. B.1
B Page 13

2200 Service Manual

Information given in this manual is restricted for use by authorized personnel and is to be used for the sole purpose of providing routine
instrument maintenance and repair services.
Page 14 Rev.
Rev.B.1B

2200 Service Manual

Information given in this manual is restricted for use by authorized personnel and is to be used for the sole purpose of providing routine
instrument maintenance and repair services.
Rev. B.1
B Page 15

2200 Service Manual

Information given in this manual is restricted for use by authorized personnel and is to be used for the sole purpose of providing routine
instrument maintenance and repair services.
Page 16 Rev. B.1B
Rev.

2200 Service Manual

Information given in this manual is restricted for use by authorized personnel and is to be used for the sole purpose of providing routine
instrument maintenance and repair services.
Rev. B
Rev. B.1 Page 17

2200 Service Manual

Information given in this manual is restricted for use by authorized personnel and is to be used for the sole purpose of providing routine
instrument maintenance and repair services.