Dionex Sample and Fraction Manager
Sample and Fraction Manager: Overlapping Areas

The Sample and Fraction Manager has two independent arms for which the working areas partly overlap. To prevent collision of the arms in the overlapping area, only one arm is allowed in the area at a time:

For example, if arm 2 is in the overlapping area and arm 1 is to perform an operation in the overlapping area, arm 1 has to wait until arm 2 has completed its operation. Arm 2 is then moved to the Park position and arm 1 can enter and perform its operation in the overlapping area.

This is performed after each operation. To have one arm perform subsequent operations in the overlapping area without being interrupted by the other arm, Chromeleon supports the following commands:

 

Command

Description

AcquireOverlapArea

Provides exclusive access to the overlapping area; i.e., the other arm cannot enter the overlapping area.

 Note: 

If the second arm already has exclusive access to the overlapping area, the first arm will wait until the second arm no longer has exclusive access.

ReleaseOverlapArea

Releases the exclusive access right for the overlapping area. The other arm can now enter and perform operations in this area.

 Note: 

At the beginning of a sample program, an implicit UnblockOverlap command is performed.

 

Example:

2.000 SFM_A.AcquireOverlapArea 

; Empty syringe of the SFM_A if necessary:

 SFM_A.Waste  

; Wash syringe of the SFM_A:

 SFM_A.Wash  

; Wash the SFM_A injector:

 SFM_A.WashInjector

 SFM_A.ReleaseOverlapArea

 SFM_P.PrepareNextSample

 

This program ensures that the arm of the SFM_A is not returned to the Park position between emptying the syringe and washing the injector. Before starting sample preparation, the arm of the SFM_P waits until the SFM_A has completed its operations and left the overlapping area.

Dionex recommends minimizing the blocking time of the overlapping area because the arm for which the area is blocked cannot perform any other operation until the area is no longer blocked.

 

 Note: 

If an arm is not connected, Chromeleon does not know its position and thus, assumes that it might be in the overlapping area. That is why the other arm cannot enter the overlapping area. Therefore, always connect both arms even if you want to use only one arm.

For more information, refer to:

 Sample and Fraction Manager Commands

 Commands for Fraction Collection

 Tips for Injection

 PGM File for Fraction Collection