Installing and Controlling Third-Party Devices
Gilson XL Autosampler Series (221XL, 222XL, 231XL to 233XL, ASPEC XL): Installation

Device Type:

Autosampler or autosampler for solid phase extraction (ASPEC XL)

Device Driver:

Gilson: XL Series (Extended)

(Do not confuse with the Gilson 231 Autosampler and the Gilson 231 XL Autosampler device drivers!)

Supported Hardware Options:

  • Syringe module (dilutor) 402

  • Inject port

  • Switching valve

  • 8 relays

  • 5 inputs

  • All standard racks

  • DEC racks (For ASPEC XL only: Codes 101, 103, and 106. These racks require special tray files.)

 

What is required?

License:

Timebase Class 3

Select About Chromeleon on the Help menu of the Chromeleon client to check whether this license class is available.

Connection:

Modem cable (Dionex part no. 8914.0128 or 8914.0144A) to connect the autosampler to the PC. (For cable details, refer to  Modem Cable (1:1 Cable) in the Appendix of the Hardware Installation section.)

Required for the Gilson 402 Syringe Module (syringe pump, dilutor):

Gilson GSIOC cable (The Gilson part number for the adapter cable is 500933. The cable is not available from Dionex.)

Hardware
Prerequisites:

A free RS-232 port

Control Panel:

GilsonXLSeries.pan

 

Hardware Installation

Device Connection:

 Caution:

Before connecting the autosampler to the PC, remove the supplied keypad. Do not connect the autosampler to the PC when the keypad is still connected!

Use a modem cable (Dionex part no. 8914.0128 or 8914.0144A) to connect the RS232 port of the Gilson XL series autosampler to the PC. (For cable details, refer to  Modem Cable (1:1 Cable) in the Appendix of the Hardware Installation section.)

You can also use a simple 9-pin Gilson RS-232 cable as 1:1 RS cable. To connect the Gilson 402 syringe module (Syringe Pump, Dilutor) to the autosampler's GSIOC port, use a Gilson GSIOC cable. (The Gilson part number for the adapter cable is 500933. The cable is not available from Dionex.)

Device Settings:

The DIP switches should be set to the factory-set settings:

On the autosampler (GSIOC address 10):

Dip Switch 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Top x x x  x  x 

Bottom    x  x  x

 

On the 402 dilutor (GSIOC address 0):

Dip Switch left right

8  x

7 x 

6  x

5 x 

4 x 

3 x 

2 x 

1 x 

 

Software Installation

Install the Device Driver in the Chromeleon Server Configuration. (For more information about the program, refer to Software Installation and Communication  The Server Configuration Program.)

  1. Start the Chromeleon server.

  2. Start the Server Configuration program.

  3. Add the autosampler to the timebase. Select Add Device on the Edit or context menu, and then select Gilson from the Manufacturers list box and XL Series (Extended) from the Devices list box.

  4. The following settings are required:

On the General tab page, select a free COM port and enter the GSIOC address.

On the Geometry tab page, select the tray file according to your rack.

On the Rinse and Drain tab page, specify the number and position(s) for the drain station(s).

On the Dilutor 402 tab page, enter the parameters for the 402 syringe module.

On the Inject Port/Switching Valve tab page, specify the settings of the respective motorized switching valve.

On the Relays tab page, deselect all relays that are not used.

On the Inputs tab page, remove all inputs that are not available.

The Error Levels tab page classifies the severity of any errors that occur. It is generally not necessary to change the default settings.

  1. To control the installed Gilson autosampler, connect the GilsonXLSeries.pan Control Panel or any especially developed control panel in the Chromeleon client to the corresponding timebase.

Application

Tray Files

The racks of the Gilson autosamplers and fraction collectors are arranged on a tray. That is why you have to define the single sample positions in a tray file (*.gty).

Different standard tray files are already available. Install your rack in the autosampler so that the first sample is at the front left. If the corresponding Gilson tray editor program is available on your computer, you can freely program different sample arrangements by yourself. For the existing files, refer to  Gilson Autosamplers and Fraction Collectors: Tray Files.

Differences from the Gilson 215 Liquid Handler

Due to the different wash principle, the autosamplers of the XL series support the InnerWashVolume and OuterWashVolume parameters, instead of the WashVolume parameter. In addition, the MoveToRinse and MoveToDrain commands are available for the autosamplers of the XL series.

If two syringes are installed, the Syringe, RightSuckedVolume, and RightDilutorValve commands are available.

 Caution:

The Z-axis of the XL-series points down, while the Z-axis of the 215 points up. To position the needle 2 cm above the tube bottom, enter Z = TubeBottom - 20 (instead of Z = TubeBottom + 20 as for the 215); otherwise, the needle hits the tube bottom.

Both systems support the NeedleUp command so that the needle can be lifted using the same command.

Differences from the Gilson 231 XL Autosampler Device Driver

The "old" Gilson 231 XL Autosampler device driver required additional hardware and software (Gilson 606 RS converter, Gilson software GYNK_231.EXE). Its capabilities are mainly limited to the sample position and sample number input. Define the actual injection on the keypad, using the Gilson software for this. This driver is still included in the distribution for compatibility reasons only.

For the "new" Gilson XL Series (Extended) device driver, additional hardware and software is not required. (Exception: You have to use the Gilson Tray editor to define special sample trays.) The device driver supports all capabilities of the autosampler.

To update an existing Chromeleon installation, follow the steps below:

Injection Modes

For information about the different injection modes, refer to Commands and Tips for Third-Party Devices  Gilson: Injection Modes in the User Help section.

Further Information

 Tip:

For more installation details, refer to the manual for the instrument.

For the special autosampler features, refer to  Gilson ASPEC XL Autosampler: Special Features.

For an overview of the different Gilson instruments for which Dionex device drivers are available, refer to  Gilson.