Collecting Fractions
AFC-3000 – Program Example for Fraction Collection

The PGM below is an example for a fraction collection program using an AFC-3000. You may copy segments from this PGM example into an existing PGM and adapt the PGM to your needs.

;Example program for fraction collection with the AFC-3000 Automated Fraction Collector and the following instruments: 
HPG-3x00, WPS-3000SL, VWD-3x00
        TempCtrl =            On
        Temperature.Nominal =   20.0 [°C]
        Temperature.LowerLimit =        4.0 [°C]
        Temperature.UpperLimit =        45.0 [°C]
        ReadyTempDelta =                 None
        Pressure.LowerLimit =   0 [bar]
        Pressure.UpperLimit =   150 [bar]
        MaximumFlowRampDown =   30.000 [ml/min²]
        MaximumFlowRampUp =     30.000 [ml/min²]
        %A.Equate =             "%A"
        %B.Equate =             "%B"
        DrawSpeed =             20.000 [µl/s]
        DrawDelay =             3000 [ms]
        DispSpeed =             2.000 [µl/s]
        DispenseDelay =          2000 [ms]
        WasteSpeed =            4.000 [µl/s]
        SampleHeight =          1.000 [mm]
        InjectWash =            NoWash
        LoopWashFactor =                0.000
        PunctureOffset =                0.0 [mm]
        Sampler.PumpDevice =    "Pump"
        InjectMode =            Normal
        SyncWithPump =          Off
        Pump_Pressure.Step =    Auto
        Pump_Pressure.Average =         On
        Data_Collection_Rate =  25.0 [Hz]
        TimeConstant =          0.06 [s]
        
        AFC.Valve =             Drain
        ;Close the diverter valve prior to a run to avoid accidental spillage
        AFC.CollectMode =               SawVertical
        ;Define how the drop former travels over the collection vessels.
        ;Do only define once and do not change during a run or a sequence
        AFC.MovementMode =              Interrupt
        ;Define how the diverter valve behaves between tube changes.
        AFC.TubePosition =              FractionCollection.TubePosition 
        ;Synchronize the fraction collector position with
        ;the current position of the fraction collection driver prior to a run
;*****************************************************************
;* Definition of triggers for fraction collection starts here.
;*****************************************************************
        Trigger FracStart               FracStartDetected
        AFC.Valve =             Collect
        Log AFC.TubePosition
        Log FractionCollection.TubePosition
        EndTrigger
        
        Trigger TubeChange              FracTubeChange
        AFC.Valve =             Drain
        AFC.TubePosition =      FractionCollection.TubePosition
        AFC.Valve =             Collect
        Log AFC.TubePosition
        Log FractionCollection.TubePosition
        EndTrigger

        Trigger FracEnd         FracEndDetected
        AFC.Valve =             Drain
        AFC.TubePosition =      FractionCollection.TubePosition
        Log AFC.TubePosition
        Log FractionCollection.TubePosition
        EndTrigger
;*****************************************************************
;* Definition of triggers for fraction collection ends here.
;*****************************************************************
;*****************************************************************
;* Definition of fraction collection driver settings starts here.
;*****************************************************************
        FractionCollection.PumpDevice =         "Pump"
        TubeMaxVolume =                         40.000000 [ml]
        TotalNumberInstalled =          42
        MaxTubesPerFraction =           10
        TubeWrapping =                          No
        TubeChangeDuration =            0.5 [s]
        
        DetectionChannel1.Name =                "UV_VIS_1"
        PeakStartThreshold =            10.00 [signal]
        PeakStartSlope =                                0.500 [signal/s]
        PeakStartTrueTime =             1.00 [s]
        PeakEndThreshold =              9.00 [signal]
        PeakEndSlope =                  -1.000 [signal/s]
        PeakEndTrueTime =                       1.00 [s]
        DerivStep =                     1.00 [s]
        ThresholdNoPeakEnd =            2000.00 [signal]
        ThresholdDoNotResolve =                 Off
        PeakMaxSlope =                  Off
        PeakMaxTrueTime =                       1.00 [s]
        PeakStartCurve =                        1.000 [signal/s²]
        PeakEndCurve =                  1.000 [signal/s²]
        BaselineDrift =                         0.000 [signal/s]
        BaselineOffset =                        0.000 [signal]
        
        DelayTime =                     5.5 [s];To be determined by suitable experiment on site.
        OffsetTime =                    0.0 [s]
;*****************************************************************
;* Definition of fraction collection driver settings ends here.
;*****************************************************************
        UV_VIS_1.Wavelength =           190 [nm]
        Flow =                          25.000 [ml/min]
        %B =                            0.0 [%];isocratic
        Pump.Curve =                    5
;*****************************************************************
;* Sample run starts here.
;*****************************************************************
 0.000     Autozero
        Wait                    UV.Ready and Sampler.Ready
        Inject
        Pump_Pressure.AcqOn     
        CollectFractions =      By_Peak
        CollectOutsidePeaks =   No
        UV_VIS_1.AcqOn
10.000  Pump_Pressure.AcqOff
        CollectFractions =      No
        UV_VIS_1.AcqOff
10.142  AFC.Valve =             Drain
        ;Close the diverter valve after a run to avoid accidental spillages
        End ;End time is crooked because of internal processing times required by triggers
;*****************************************************************
;* Sample run ends here.
;*****************************************************************

For information on the specific commands for the AFC-3000, refer to

 Dionex UltiMate 3000 Series AFC-3000 Automated Fraction Collector: Commands and Tips

For general information on fraction collection, refer to

 Collecting Fractions