Advion Plate Express TM

User’s Manual
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. WELCOME TO PLATE EXPRESS .............................................................................................................. 3

1.1 Warranty ..................................................................................................................................... 3
1.2 Copyright Information ................................................................................................................ 4
2. SAFETY INFORMATION .......................................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Health Hazards ............................................................................................................................ 5
2.2 Electrical Hazards and Precautions ............................................................................................. 6
3. SPECIFICATIONS .................................................................................................................................... 7
3.1 FCC Statement - Class A ............................................................................................................ 10
3.2 WEEE Directive (2012/19/EU)................................................................................................... 11
3.3 RoHS 2 Statement ..................................................................................................................... 12
4. PLATE EXPRESS SYSTEM OVERVIEW ................................................................................................... 13
4.1 Highlighted features ................................................................................................................. 13
4.2 Key Parts of Plate Express ......................................................................................................... 13
4.3 Plate Express applications......................................................................................................... 17
5. PLATE EXPRESS SETUP......................................................................................................................... 20
5.1 General Installation Requirements ........................................................................................... 20
5.2 Mass Express Software Requirements...................................................................................... 20
5.3 System Configuration................................................................................................................ 21
5.4 Hardware Control ..................................................................................................................... 21
6. OPERATE PLATE EXPRESS WITH expression CMS ............................................................................... 23
6.1 Edit Database ............................................................................................................................ 23
6.2 Extraction .................................................................................................................................. 25
7. TROUBLESHOOTING ............................................................................................................................ 26
8. REPLACING PARTS ............................................................................................................................... 27
9. CUSTOMER SUPPORT .......................................................................................................................... 30

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 2

 1. WELCOME TO PLATE EXPRESS

1.1 Warranty

We warrant to you that title to all products sold to you is good and the transfer rightful, subject
to the paragraph entitled “SECURITY INTEREST.” We warrant to you that each product
manufactured by or for us will be free from defects in material and workmanship in normal use
and service for one (1) year from the date of delivery to you as the original purchaser. This
warranty does not cover, and no warranty is provided for, parts which by their nature are
normally required to be replaced periodically consistent with normal maintenance and use,
including, without limitation, syringes, air filters, lubricants, capillaries and consumable
products. If any product covered by this warranty is returned to the original shipping point,
transportation charges prepaid, within the applicable warranty period set forth above and upon
examination we determine to our satisfaction that such product was defective in material or
workmanship at the time of delivery to you, we will, at our option, repair or replace the product
or the defective part thereof or refund the original purchase price of the product.

The foregoing notwithstanding, we will not be responsible for damage to any product resulting
from misuse, negligence or accident or resulting from repairs, alterations or installation made
by any person or firm not duly authorized by us in writing. We shall not be liable for failure to
comply with statutes relating to safety and health, including, without limitation, standards
promulgated under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970, as amended, and
regulations issued pursuant thereto.

If, at any time during the period ending one (1) year after delivery of any product to you, you
report and document any error in any software provided with such product and developed by
or for us or any failure of any such software substantially to conform to our software
description that limits or prevents use of the product by you, we, at our option, will use
reasonable efforts to correct any such error or failure, will replace such software or will
terminate your license to use the software and refund the price of the related product. In
connection with any such termination and refund, you will return the related product to us
forthwith upon request. This warranty shall apply only to those portions of the software that
were developed by or for us and that incorporate all program corrections and modifications, if
any, delivered to you. It shall not apply to any error or failure due to machine error or to the
misuse by or negligence of any person or entity other than us or to any software which is
modified by any person or entity other than us.

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 3

1.2 Copyright Information

Contents of the publication may not be reproduced in any form or by any means, including
electronic storage and retrieval or translation into a foreign language without prior agreement
and written consent from the copyright owner.
Copyright© 2015-2018 Advion, Inc.
Documented and printed in the United States of America.
All rights reserved.

Trademarks

Plate Express® is a registered trade mark of Advion, Inc.

Expression® is a registered trademark of Advion, Inc.
Mass Express™ is a trademark of Advion, Inc.
Data Express™ is a trademark of Advion, Inc.

SSI Series Pump® is a registered trademark of Scientific Systems, Inc.

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 4

 2. SAFETY INFORMATION

READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY!

The following graphic symbols and special text formats used throughout this manual and labeled
on the instrument are used to emphasize important safety information.

2.1 Health Hazards

Caution
The plates for thin layer chromatography application may contain synthetic
amorphous silica on the surface. Avoid eye contact and inhalation of the
silica powder. Wear protective eye equipment as necessary. Dust or powder
may irritate eye tissue. If irritation should occur, it is expected to be
transient.

Caution
Dried blood spots and other tissue samples may contain blood borne
pathogens or other biological hazards. Wear gloves when handling samples
and use hazardous labels when disposing the waste.

Laser Warning
Plate Express is equipped with a laser pointing device to assist plate
sampling. It is a class 2 (<1mW) laser source, same as the laser pointers that
are commonly used in an office setting. Do not stare into beam or view with
optical instruments.

Caution
Do not operate Plate Express with the front door opened or removed.
Plate Express system contains moving parts that generates high force. Do
not touch the elution head while it is moving or serious hand injury may
occur. Under normal usage, the system has an interlock that prohibits the
motor from moving when the door is opened.

Caution
Do not operate Plate Express with the rear access door opened or removed.
Plate Express system contains moving parts that generates high force.
Disconnect gas supply before removing panel or serious hand injury may
occur.

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 5

2.2 Electrical Hazards and Precautions

Caution
Do not attempt to make adjustments, replacements, or repairs to this
instrument except as described in this User’s Manual. Only an Advion service
representative or similarly trained and authorized person should be
permitted to service the instrument.
This instrument is not to be used in a manner not specified by Advion.

High Voltage
Do not operate the instrument with the top cover or other parts removed
due to a danger of electric shock from components carrying high voltage.
Capacitors inside the instrument may still be charged even if the instrument
is turned off.
The supplied power cord must be inserted into a power outlet with a
protective earth contact (ground). If connected with an extension cord,
ensure that the cord also has an earth contact. Always disconnect the power
cord before attempting any type of maintenance.

Caution
Always connect the power cord after all other cables are connected or
instrument damage can occur. Do not connect or disconnect the remote I/O
connector cables or power supply while the power is on or instrument
damage can occur.

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 6

 3. SPECIFICATIONS

AC to DC Switching Table-Top Power Supply Specifications.

Attribute Specification
Power supply manufacturer Meanwell
Power supply manufacturer part number GST120A24-P1M
AC Input Voltage 100VAC - 240VAC
Input Frequency 50Hz to 60Hz
Input Current 1.4A

Input Connection IEC320/C13

DC Output Voltage 24VDC
Output Current 5.0A
Output Connector Type Cylindrical Female
Output Connector Diameters 2.5mm x 5.5mm
Polarity Center Positive

Plate Express Electrical Specifications.

Attribute Specification
Protection Class Class III
Overvoltage Category I
Pollution Degree 2
Moisture/Dust Protection IPX-0
Input Voltage 24VDC
Input Current Max 3.75A

Plate Express Physical Specifications.

Attribute Specification
Height 31.5cm (12")
Depth 37.6cm (14.8")
Width 20.8cm (8.2")
Weight 12.3 Kg (27 Lbs)

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 7

Plate Express Environmental Specifications.
Attribute Specification
Operating Temperature 15°C to 35°C (59°F to 95°F)
Operating Humidity 10% to 80% noncondensing
Shipping and Storage Temperature -25°C to 60°C (-13°F to 140°F)
Shipping and Storage Humidity 10% to 80% noncondensing
Acoustic Noise < 80 dBA
Airflow Requirements None
Operating Environment Indoor use only in a commercial or laboratory
environment.

Plate Express Performance Specifications.

Attribute Specification
Sealing Force 50N to 425N
Extraction time 1 to 999 seconds
Flow Rate 0.1 to 0.3 mL/min
Nitrogen Input 60 to 100 Psi (4.1 – 6.8 Bar)
Nitrogen Purity 98% Pure

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 8

 Declaration of Conformity
We Advion, Inc. of 30 Brown Road, Ithaca, New York 14850 USA declare that the product as originally
delivered:

Equipment: Planar Surface Sampling Device

Model names: Plate Express

comply with the essential requirements of the following applicable European Directives and carries the CE mark
accordingly:

2014/35/EU The Low Voltage Directive

2014/30/EU The Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive
2012/19/EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive
2011/65/EU Restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances (RoHS)

and conforms with the following product standards:

Category Standard Classification

Safety EN61010-1:2010 Equipment Class III, Installation Category I

EN 61010-2-081:2015 Pollution Degree 2

EMC EN 55011:2009 + A1:2010 Class A

EN 61326-1:2013 Table 1

Australia: AS/NZS CISPR 11:2011 Class A

Canada: ICES-001, Issue 4: 2006 Class A
USA: FCC Part 15 Class A
Korea: KN 22 / KN 24 Class A

Year Mark First Applied: 2015

I hereby declare that the equipment named above has been designed to comply with the relevant sections of the
above referenced Directives and Standards.

03-April-2017
Jamey Jones Date
Senior Vice President, Operations and Technology

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 9

3.1 FCC Statement - Class A

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept
any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

WARNING: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance with the User’s Manual, may cause harmful interference
to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause
harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at
his/her own expense.

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 10

3.2 WEEE Directive (2012/19/EU)

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive (2012/19/EU), adopted by EU
Commission on 13 August 2012, is introducing producer responsibility on all Electric and
Electronic appliances.

NOTE: This product complies with the WEEE Directive

(2012/19/EU) marking requirements. The affixed label indicates
that you must not discard this electrical/electronic product in
domestic household waste.
To return unwanted products, contact your local Advion office.

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 11

3.3 RoHS 2 Statement

The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union authorized Directive
2011/65/EU on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and
electronic equipment. This new directive, also referred to as RoHS ("ro-has") requires that
manufactures reduce usage of six hazardous substances to minimum acceptable levels.
The six substances affected are:
• Lead (Pb)
• Hexavalent chromium (Cr +6)
• Mercury (Hg)
• Polybrominated biphenyl (PBB)
• Cadmium (Cd)
• Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE)

Advion has designed the system described in this document using only RoHS compliant
components as specified by their respective manufacturers.

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 12

 4. PLATE EXPRESS SYSTEM OVERVIEW

4.1 Highlighted features

Plate Express is a simple, versatile instrument that is designed for sample extraction from a
variety of flat surfaces, such as glass, paper, or aluminum foil. This allows a wide variety of
applications such as thin layer chromatography for analytical chemistry, dried blood sample cards
for drug testing and tissue slices for biological analysis. The combination of Plate Express and
Advion expression CMS inherits the convenience of surface extraction and the selectivity of mass
spectrometry, providing efficient characterization for many applications.

Plate Express is equipped with an oval shaped elution head, a laser targeting device, and
automated head cleaning with high pressure gas. The system is controlled by the Mass Express
software that comes with the expression CMS. Users may define the extraction force and
duration through software controls, optimizing the extraction for different plate materials.
Extraction, followed by the elution head cleaning, is executed with a single button click, (start
and stop), either at the computer or with an external button placed conveniently by the Plate
Express instrument.

4.2 Key Parts of Plate Express

The key parts of Plate Express are marked in the following figure.

① 6 port rotary valve

② Elution head assembly (including frit)
⑤
③ Elution head purge
④ Laser bracket and adjustable screws
⑤ Status light bar
① ⑥ Sample stage/surface
④
②

③
⑥

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 13

The system has a clear hinge door which works as a safety guard for protecting the user from the
moving parts. The door is equipped with an interlock that prevents the motor from moving when
it is opened. It has a crystal clear solvent-resistant finish to enable a clear view of the working
area. Inside the door, there is a 6 port rotary valve for the connection of all tubing; the
configuration is shown in the following pages. The white plastic piece at the bottom of the elution
head is the elution head purge. It is activated after each extraction, to remove any loose particles
on the elution head. The laser bracket at the right holds the laser source that illuminates the
precise position where the surface will be sampled. The black sampling platform is finished with
a chemical resistant surface and laser etched metric scales. The gap between the door and the
platform is designed for the sample plates to slide easily underneath without the need to open
the door, when fast, sequential extractions are required.

The rear side of Plate Express contains all its connection ports, as shown in the figure.

⑦ Power switch
⑦
⑧ USB connector
⑨ External switch connector
⑧ ⑩ Power input (24V DC)
⑪ Nitrogen input (60 – 100 psi)
⑨ ⑫ Waste module
⑫ ⑬ Solvent tray
⑪
⑩

Ensure that the on/off switch is in the off position before connecting or disconnecting the system.
Next plug in the 24V DC power supply to the main power. Connect Plate Express to the computer
through the USB port. The blue external switch connects to the auxiliary I/O connector. Next,
connect N2 gas to instrument with the 1/4” tubing provided. Plate Express has an internal gas
regulator that will regulate the inlet gas to 60PSI. The inlet pressure should be between 60 and
100 PSI. There is a solvent tray on top of the system designed to hold 1L bottles or smaller. This
solvent tray helps preserve valuable bench space.

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 14

Elution head

In standby, the elution head system rests at its home position and the spring is not compressed.
During sample extraction, the motor drives the head down to touch the sampling plate, then
drives further down to compress the spring and generate the force required to seal the spot for
extraction. The head has an oval shaped knife edge that is used to seal against silica or other
surface materials. Inside the knife edge there is a frit that filters the eluted sample before it
goes into the mass spectrometer. Verify that the elution head is secure. The retainer (a) and
the set screw (b) should be finger tight only so that the elution head is secure. Overtightening
can result in poor surface sealing.

The elution head system is capable of generating high forces. Do not touch any of the moving
parts while the system is moving or injury may occur. The system has an interlock that prevents
the motor from moving when the door is opened. Do not interfere with any of the safety
features of this instrument.

(b) Oval knife edge:

Frit

2mm

(a)
4mm

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 15

6 Port Rotary Valve

The connection of the 6 port rotary valve is as follows. Place Plate Express close to the
expression CMS to minimize the tubing volume and analysis time.
To sample head

Plug
From pump

To MS Nitrogen purge

From sample head

Laser Targeting Device

Plate Express is equipped with a laser targeting device to assist plate sampling. It is a class 2
(<1mW) laser source, like laser pointers that are commonly used for slide presentations. Do
not stare into beam or view with optical instruments. It is safe to look at the sampling plate to
identify the spot for the extraction.
The laser can be adjusted once the software is installed. It may have shifted during the
shipment or may need to be focused for different plate/sample heights. Once the laser is
powered on there are three (3) thumb screws which allow for position adjustment. The laser
should be positioned to indicate where the elution head will contact the surface.

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 16

4.3 Plate Express applications

Plate Express is a versatile instrument designed for various surface extractions such as the thin
layer chromatography (TLC) plates, dried blood spot (DBS) cards, and tissue slices. Shown here
are some example applications.

Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)

Plate Express is compatible with various TLC plates, with plate size up to 8 x 8 inch (20 x 20 cm),
and various back materials such as glass, aluminum, and plastic; along with various silica
thicknesses from 250 µm, 200 µm, 150 µm, to 100 µm. NOTE: Each different bed height
requires a unique elution head designed specifically for the thickness of the silica layer.
Shown below are spotted, developed TLC plates (a) 20 x 10 cm glass plate with 200 µm silica,
16mm spot to spot spacing; (b) 10 x 10 cm glass plate with 150 µm silica, 10mm spot to spot
spacing, note that the gap between each spot is only 3mm; and (c) 10 x 5 cm glass plate with
200 µm silica, the separation of a dye mixture.
The spots to be sampled are identified by the laser spot, the knife edge seals precisely on the
spot without leaking or disturbing the silica bed between the sampling areas.

20 x 10 cm

10 x 10 cm
10 x 5 cm

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 17

 Advion recommends Merck 1.51022.0001 TLC silica gel 60 F254 MS-grade TLC plates for best
performance of the Plate Express, however many different types of plates from various vendors can
be used successfully with the following limitations:

• Glass and Aluminum backed TLC plates usually provide lower chemical background noise than plastic
backed TLC plates.
• TLC plates containing gypsum in the binding material can not be used with Plate Express. These plates
are sometimes indicated by a G in the plate name e.g. Merck 1.00390.0001 TLC Silica gel 60G F₂₅₄.
Always check the exact specifications of your intended TLC plate before use.
• Ensure that the TLC bed layer does not exceed the extraction bed height of the Plate Express
(standard 250 µm).

Dried Blood Spot (DBS) Cards

Plate Express is also capable of selected paper backing materials such as DBS cards. Preventing
leakage is critical in this application. In order to generate tight seal between elution head and
DBS card, a commercially available silicone spray can be applied at the back of the DBS card.
Shown below is Sudan red dye mixture spotted on the front of the DBS cards. After extraction,
the dye within the elution head stamp (the oval) is clearly removed, and the solvent is confined
within the elution head showing that there is no leakage.

Tissue Slices

The elution head can also be applied to biological samples such as tissue slices. Shown below is
a whole mouse tissue slice, which is used to study drug metabolism and distribution through
different organs. The tissue is attached to a parafilm with glass backing and the elution head
provides a leak-tight seal against the parafilm.

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 18

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 19
 5. PLATE EXPRESS SETUP

5.1 General Installation Requirements

Plate Express requires a flat, vibration free and clean bench space that is strong enough to
support the weight of the system and solvent bottles.

Plate Express requires at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) at the rear and left side panel for connections. Do
not stack anything on Plate Express.

Electrical Connections
Outlet Requirements:
• Laptop (PC) – 1 USB outlet
• Typical (MS and rotary pump) – 2 outlets on 15A (minimum) dedicated circuit
• Typical accessories (LC pump, SSI pump and/or splitting valve) – 2 additional outlets

Warning: Never operate instrument(s) from a power outlet that has does not have a ground
connection. Never use a power cord other than the power cord designed for your region.

Gas Requirements
Gas will normally be supplied via the main nitrogen gas supply from within the facility. It must
be terminated with a fitting for 1/4" tubing for connection to Plate Express.
• Gas: Nitrogen (N2) 98% pure
• Regulated supply at 60 – 100 psi (4.1 – 6.8 Bar)

5.2 Mass Express Software Requirements

Plate Express is controlled by the Advion Mass Express Software. Users can choose to control
both the Advion expression CMS and Plate Express as an integrated system or to control Plate
Express only.

Software
Please update the Mass Express software to v. 2.2 or higher. Follow the instructions of the
installer wizard.
Note: If you are running on a Win 8 computer, you need to have internet connection during the
installation.

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 20

Firmware
For Advion CMS base unit users, please update the FX2 firmware if you had never done so before.
Extract the file FX2-Updater-131014.zip to your computer. With CMS connected to the
computer, double click the AdvionCMSFX2Update.exe then follow the instructions of the
installer.

5.3 System Configuration

Powering Up Plate Express

Check and make sure that the front clear door is closed.
Connect the power cord, and then turn on Plate Express with the switch on the back of the unit.
The motor should first initiate itself, then the status light should be green indicating that the
system is ready to operate.

Connecting to the Software

Start Mass Express software, go to the system tab. Check “Enable Plate Express” and the pump
system that may be used.

Note: To operate Plate Express without a CMS connected, in “Operation Mode”, check
“Simulation”.

Save the current environment. Restart Mass Express with the Plate Express USB cable connected
to the computer. Check that the status bar at the bottom of the screen shows Plate Express
Ready.

5.4 Hardware Control

The instrument status indicator at front displays different colored LED lights that tells the status
of the machine:

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 21

Red: Communication error
Blue: Acquiring
Purple: Door open
Green: System ready / Stand by

In Mass Express software, Control and Status tab, there are a few command buttons to control
Plate Express.

<Connect>
In normal operation, Plate Express is always connected. If the USB is accidently disconnected or
a communication error occurs, simply reconnect the USB cable and click the <Connect> button.

<Cycle Count/Reset>
The system counts the number of cycles that the extraction has performed in order to keep track
on the usage of the elution head. When a new head is installed, reset the number and confirm
with Yes.

<Laser On/Off>
Turn on or off the laser targeting device. By default, the checkbox “Turn laser and light off on
exit” is checked, so the laser will not be left unattended.

<Purge Head>
The system does automatically purge every time after sampling. Additional purge can be
manually activated by the <purge head> button.

<Light On/Off>
The <light on> button is a three-way switch that controls the brightness of the back light.

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 22

 6. OPERATE PLATE EXPRESS WITH expression CMS

To operate Plate Express with CMS, make sure the system is configured from the Mass Express
software. In system tab, the operation mode is checked as “Instrument” and the “Enable Plate
Express” box should be checked.

Switch the expression CMS to operate mode.

In the Manual Run tab, specify the scan parameters and start an acquisition. Once the acquisition
starts, the Plate Express button becomes available.

6.1 Edit Database

Before starting an extraction, go to <Edit Database> to specify the surface / plate types with
default forces and extraction times. The user can add or remove plate types based on the
application. The input values will automatically be saved and applied to the next extraction. The
defined plate type will appear in the dropdown box next to the extraction button.
Example: TLC Glass has a force of 275 N that will be applied for 30 seconds of this selected
type.

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 23

Applied Force

The force applied by the head should be enough to seal the knife edge on the silica bed, but not
so high that it could break the plate or damage the knife edge. The force may be different for
various materials and thicknesses of the plates. It is a general rule that glass TLC plates are the
most difficult to seal, and require higher sealing force, followed by aluminum and then plastic.
Thinner silica beds may also require higher force. As the elution head wears the knife edge will
become dull and as a result it may require a higher sealing force (i.e. every 200 extractions).
The applied force is displayed in Newtons (N). The actual value of the force can be read at the
bottom of the status bar during extraction.

Recommended start force for a new head:

Plate type Force (Newton)
TLC Glass 250
TLC Aluminum 220
TLC Plastic 200
DBS Cards 240
Tissue Slices 240

Solvent

Connect the tubing to the 6 port rotary valve. The elution solvent is supplied by external pumps
such as an LC pump or the Advion supplied isocratic pump. The flow should be initiated prior to
the extraction. When the system is in standby, the solvent bypasses the elution head and goes
directly to the CMS.
The suggested solvent flow is 0.2 mL/min, and the maximum flow is 0.3 mL/min.

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 24

6.2 Extraction

During a manual run there are two ways to extract a sample: (i) the extraction icon and/or (ii)
the external button. Once started, the preset time set in the database timer starts counting. If
not interrupted, the extraction will stop once the timer has counted down the preset time. The
user can stop the extraction at any time using either: (i) the extraction icon and/or (ii) the
external button.

(i) Or use the button (ii)

Multiple extractions can be performed within a single CMS acquisition.

Note: If the acquisition time remaining is not sufficient for an additional extraction, the
software will prompt the user to manually add acquisition time to prevent data loss.

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 25

 7. TROUBLESHOOTING

If the Plate Express system is not performing as expected, follow the troubleshooting suggestions
listed below or call Advion Customer Support at 1 877 523 8466.

1. Communication error
In many cases communication error messages can be resolved by disconnecting the USB
cable, waiting 3 seconds then reconnecting it. Then the “Connect” button in the Control
and Status tab must be clicked reinitiate the software connection.

2. Plate sealing
• Due to the elution head wearing over time, it is normal to increase the extraction force
to ensure effective sealing. When leakage is observed over three consecutive
extractions, the sealing force may be increased in increments of 10 N until normal
sealing is observed again. A typical interval between changes in force is 175 - 200 cycles
on an elution head. Note: excessive increases in force will result in a shorter life of
the elution head. The elution head is considered a consumable/wear item and
generally needs to be replaced after about 1000 operations, depending on the surface
type.
• The requited sealing force may vary for different plates and bed thicknesses. It is
recommended test sample new plate materials to determine the force required for the
leak-tight seals.
• Ensure the sampling platform is flat and free from debris. Any surface roughness can
result in broken plates.

3. Solvent flow
• During the extraction, if the back pressure reading from the pump is significantly higher
than normal, it is an indication of head clogging. Clogging from TLS plates is mainly due
to the silica particles plugging the frit. To clean the frit, simply remove the elution head
(See 8. REPLACING PARTS), set it in a beaker and cover it with the solvent and place in
an ultrasonic bath for 10 minutes.
• The recommended LC flow is 0.2 mL/min, and the maximum flow is 0.3 mL/min. Trying
to operate at higher flow rates is likely to lead to high back pressure and increased
chance of leaking.

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 26

 8. REPLACING PARTS

1. Elution Head
The elution head has a limited life and it is recommended that it is replaced after about 1000
sampling cycles or after it fails to seal at the maximum force. To replace the elution head:

1. Remove the elution head from the fixed head motor by loosening the thumbscrew at
front, and then push down on the pins on both sides to remove the head.

2. Remove the head-retaining ring by unscrewing it, and the elution head should now be
easily removed. Wipe down the metal parts with solvent and a lint-free cloth to remove
any particles and dust.

3. Take the replacement elution head noting that the two dowel pins are different sizes so
it can only fit in one orientation. Align carefully and do not to apply too much force
when installing the elution head or it can become jammed. BE CAREFUL not to lose the
small O-rings on the back of the removable head.

Plate Express User’s Manual Rev. E 27

 4. Gently install the head-retaining ring onto the fixed head. Ensure the retainer is
tightened down only by hand. DO NOT use a tool to tighten the retainer or apply
excessive force by hand. Once installed the removable head should be secured in place.
5. Loop the stainless steel tubing back to the slot and tighten the thumbscrew. The new
head is now ready to use.
6. Click the <Reset> button from the software control to set the cycle count back to 0.
7. Update the extraction database (section 6.1) to default force settings for your particular
plate.

2. Silica Waste
Over time, silica waste accumulates in the silica waste module at the back of the PlateExpress.
The entire module can be replaced, or, if the waste is not hazardous, the module can be
emptied and reused. To remove the waste module:

1. Locate and press the quick-release button for the nitrogen input. Then slide the shield
assembly back and out of the way, revealing the waste module

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 2. The containment module is held onto its shaft via an O-ring. Optional for hazardous
waste: slide a plastic bag over the waste module and secure it. Remove the module by
holding it at the back of the module and pulling gently.

3. The waste module may be either discarded or reused. To reuse the existing module,
separate the filter and retaining ring from the module by removing the two screws using
a 2.5mm hex key/driver. Empty the waste and then replace the filter and retaining ring.
4. Install the cleaned or new waste module by pressing the front purge assembly back to
hold the shaft steady. Without applying pressure directly to the filter membrane, press
the module over the shaft until the inner shoulder in the module bottoms out on the
end of the shaft.
5. Rotate the shield door back into position. Press the quick-connect fitting from the shield
firmly into the receptacle on the PlateExpress unit.

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Call Advion Customer Support (1 877 523 8466) to order replacement parts.
Plate Express Consumables and Replacement Parts:
Description Advion Part Number
Standard Removable Head (250µm) 1011424
Removable Head (200µm) 1011492
Removable Head (150µm) 1011494
Fixed Head Assembly 1011425
Fittings 1003167
Sleeves 120-1116
AC to 24 VDC Table-Top Power Supply 1011469
Particle Filter 1011459
PlateExpress Waste Module ACC456

9. CUSTOMER SUPPORT

For Plate Express questions, service, and part orders, contact:

In North America:
Customer Support
Advion, Inc.
61 Brown Road, Suite 100
Ithaca, NY 14850 USA
tel: 1 877 5 ADVION (1 877 523 8466)
fax: 607.257.5761
e-mail: [email protected]

In Europe:
Customer Support
Advion, Ltd.
Rowan House, 26 Queens Road
Hethersett, Norwich
Norfolk, NR9 3DB, UK
tel: 44 (0) 1603 813 970
fax: 44 (0) 1603 813 971
e-mail: [email protected]

World-Wide Distributors: http://www.advion.com/distributors.php

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