AS/AS50 Autosamplers

Dionex Autosamplers
Dionex AS/AS50 Autosamplers

In addition to the standard autosampler commands (see Dionex Autosamplers), the Dionex AS and AS50 Autosamplers support many additional commands and properties for controlling autosampler functions. The following commands and properties are available (please note that the display Filter level determines which commands and properties are displayed, and that, depending on the autosampler type, some commands or properties may not be available.

Inject and Diverter Valve Commands and Properties

Command/Property	Description
Inject	Switches the injection valve to the inject position.
Load	Switches the injection valve to the load position.
Sampler_DiverterValve.Position_1 Sampler_DiverterValve.Position_2	(For AS or AS50 (USB) Sequential mode only) These commands set the position of the diverter valve to position 1 or position 2.

Note:

To control the position of an injection valve installed in another module (for example, a DC or an ICS-2000), the AS must be assigned control of the external valve. To verify or change the valve control assignment, open the Server Configuration program and open the Properties dialog box for the module in which the valve is installed (see Adding, Configuring, or Deleting Devices). Depending on the type of module, control of the injection valve is selected on either the Inject Valve or the High Pressure Valves page.

Flush and Prime Commands and Properties

Command/Property	Description
Flush	Flushes the inject port. During the flush cycle, the needle moves to the waste port and expels any fluid. The needle then moves to the inject port and delivers a volume of fluid (see FlushVolume below) for flushing the inject port. The needle then moves to the flush port and delivers a factory-set volume of flush fluid, which washes the outside of the needle.
FlushVolume	Sets the volume of liquid used for flushing the inject port. If the volume is greater than the sample syringe volume, the AS or AS50 performs multiple syringe strokes until the volume is reached.
Prime	Primes the liquid lines.
PrimeReservoir	Sets the reservoir to be used as a source for priming. The Flush_Reservoir is the default. If the sample preparation option is installed, Reservoir_A through D can be specified.
PrimeSyringe	Sets the syringe to be used for priming. The Sample syringe is the default. If the sample preparation option is installed, the Prep syringe can be specified.
PrimeVolume	Sets the volume of liquid used for priming the liquid lines.

Syringe Aspirate and Dispense Speeds

Note:

AspirateSpeed and DispenseSpeed commands require AS Moduleware version 2.0.2 (or later). These commands are not available for AS50 autosamplers, regardless of which Moduleware version is installed in the autosampler.

The following commands set the speed of the syringes used for various autosampler functions. 1 is the slowest speed and 5 is the fastest. Select a slower speed for more viscous samples and to control the pressure at the inject port and needle seal. See Selecting the Syringe Speed for details.

Note:

If aspirate and dispense speeds are not specified in a program, the speeds selected last (for example, from a previous program or control panel selection) are used.

Command/Property	Description
LoadAspirateSpeed	Sets the speed of the syringe when the autosampler is aspirating liquid during loading of the loop.
LoadDispenseSpeed	Sets the speed of the syringe when the autosampler is dispensing liquid during loading of the loop.
FlushPrimeAspirateSpeed	Sets the speed of the syringe when the autosampler is aspirating liquid during a flushing or priming cycle.
FlushPrimeDispenseSpeed	Sets the speed of the syringe when the autosampler is dispensing liquid during a flushing or priming cycle.
ConcentrateAspirateSpeed	Sets the speed of the syringe used for aspirating liquid during concentration.
ConcentrateDispenseSpeed	Sets the speed of the syringe used for dispensing liquid during concentration.
ReagentPrimeAspirateSpeed	Sets the speed of the syringe used for aspirating liquid during reagent priming.
ReagentPrimeDispenseSpeed	Sets the speed of the syringe used for dispensing liquid during reagent priming.
ReagentFlushAspirateSpeed	Sets the speed of the syringe used for aspirating liquid during reagent flushing.
ReagentFlushDispenseSpeed	Sets the speed of the syringe used for dispensing liquid during reagent flushing.

Configuration and Status Commands and Properties

Command/Property

Description

CurrentArmPosition	(For AS with Moduleware version 2.0.2, or later, only) Reports the X-, Y-, and Z-position of the autosampler sampling arm (read-only).
DoorSafetyTime	Displays the amount of time the autosampler door can remain open without aborting the sequence (read-only).
InjectionType	Displays the type of injection the AS or AS50 is performing (read-only).
LoopSize	Displays the size (volume) of loop installed (read-only).
Mode	(For AS or AS50 (USB) only) Displays the sample mode (Normal,Simultaneous, Concentrate, Sequential, or Sequential Concentrate) (read-only). The sample mode cannot be selected in Chromeleon. It is selected on the System Parameters screen on the AS or AS50 (USB) front panel.
SampleOverlap	Reports whether sample overlap is enabled or disabled (read-only).
SecondLoopSize	(For AS or AS50 (USB) Simultaneous or Sequential modes only) Displays the size (volume) of loop installed on the second injection valve (read-only).
SerialNumber	Displays the autosampler serial number.
Status	Displays the current action being performed by the autosampler (read-only).
TrayType	Reports the type of sample tray (rack) installed (read-only).

Other Commands and Properties

Command/Property	Description
DoorInterlockBypass	(For AS with Moduleware version 2.0.2, or later, only) Disables the autosampler compartment door lock for 30 minutes.
Home	Moves the needle arm to the home position.
Stop	Stops the current process.

Sampler Setup Commands and Properties

The following commands set options that remain constant throughout the sample preparation steps and the time-dependent commands of a program.

Note:

If you use the Program Wizard to create a program (see The Program Wizard), these commands are entered on the first Sampler Options page in the wizard.

Command/Property

Description

ColumnTemperature	(Only for AS50 autosamplers equipped with the thermal compartment) Sets the temperature of the thermal compartment.
CutSegmentVolume	Sets the volume of sample to be "cut" or omitted from each side of the sample during the injection process. The middle portion of the sample is positioned in the loop and injected. The CutSegmentVolume is used only for partial-loop injections. To perform a partial-loop injection from a limited amount of sample, specify a CutSegmentVolume of 0. For full-loop injections, the CutSegmentVolume is ignored.
CycleTime	Sets the time between injections. To set a uniform time between injections, specify a cycle time in minutes (1 to 240). When a cycle time is specified, the autosampler delays sample injection until the specified time has elapsed since the previous injection. If the cycle time is set to 0, the time between injections is determined by the commands in the Program specified for each sample injection in a Sequence.
NeedleHeight	Sets the distance between the needle tip and the vial bottom. Note: This position is used for all autosampler functions except for sample preparation functions, when a SetNeedleHeight command is specified (see the following section).
SyringeSpeed	Sets the syringe speed. 1 is the slowest speed and 5 is the fastest. Select a slower speed for more viscous samples or to control the pressure at the inject port and needle seal. Notes: For AS50 autosamplers and for AS autosamplers with a Moduleware Version earlier than 2.0.2, this speed is used for aspirating and dispensing liquid while loading the loop, reagent flushing, and reagent priming. For AS autosamplers with Moduleware version 2.0.2 (or later), this speed is used only for minor syringe operations. Loading the loop, reagent flushing, and reagent priming speeds are controlled with separate aspirate and dispense speed commands. See Selecting the Syringe Speed for details.
TrayTemperature	(Only for autosamplers equipped with the sample temperature control option) Sets the temperature of the sample tray.
WaitForTemperature	(Only for autosamplers equipped with a thermal compartment or a sample temperature control option) Instructs the autosampler to wait for the column or tray temperature to stabilize before proceeding to the next command.

Sample Preparation Commands

The AS and AS50 provide several commands for preparing the sample before injection. The standard AS or AS50 supports the sample preparation commands listed below. If the autosampler is equipped with the sample preparation option, two additional commands are available (Dilute and Dispense). For details about the sample preparation commands, see Defining Sample Preparation Steps (AS/AS50).

Note:

If you use the Program Wizard to create a program (see The Program Wizard), these commands are entered on the second Sampler Options page in the wizard.

Command

Description

DelaySP	Pauses sample preparation.
FlushSP	Flushes the inject port during sample preparation.
Mix	Mixes the vial contents.
SetNeedleHeight	Sets the distance between the needle tip and the vial bottom. Note: This position is used for sample preparation functions only. For all other functions, specify the NeedleHeight (see above).
Pipet	Moves sample between vials.
Concentrate	Loads and injects sample onto the concentrator column.
ReagentFlush	Flushes reagent onto the concentrator column.
ReagentPrime	Primes the injector lines with reagent in preparation for a ReagentFlush.
Additional commands (only for autosamplers equipped with the sample preparation option)
Dilute	Dilutes the sample with reagent.
Dispense	Dispenses reagent to a vial.

Note:

The Concentrate, ReagentPrime, and ReagentFlush commands require AS or AS50 (USB) Moduleware version 2.0.0 (or later). These commands are not available for the DX-LAN model of the AS50, regardless of which Moduleware version is installed in the autosampler.

Exclusive Access Commands and Properties

The exclusive access feature allows one AS or AS50 to be shared by two timebases. These commands are used when the autosampler is in Sequential or Sequential Concentrate mode.

Command

Description

AcquireExclusiveAccess	A timebase requests exclusive access to the autosampler as soon as the other timebase relinquishes exclusive access.
ExclusiveAccess	Displays the timebase that currently has exclusive access. Available is displayed if no timebase has exclusive access (read-only).
ReleaseExclusiveAccess	A timebase relinquishes exclusive access to the autosampler.

Notes:

The DX-LAN model of the AS50 does not support the exclusive access feature. If a program created for this autosampler includes AcquireExclusiveAccess and ReleaseExclusiveAccess, the commands are ignored. However, both the AS and AS50 (USB) autosamplers can run any program created for the DX-LAN autosampler that includes these commands.
Sample overlap is not allowed when the autosampler is shared by two timebases.

Calibration Commands and Properties

Command/Property

Description

DownloadCalibration	Downloads the selected set of calibration values to the autosampler.
DownloadCalibrationParameter	Selects the set of calibration values (Current, Previous, or Factory) to be downloaded.
ExtLeakDet	Performs the leak detector calibration on the chromatography or thermal compartment.
InjPortVolCurVal	Specifies the inject port volume determined by the most recent calibration.
InjPortVolCurDate	Displays the date the most recent inject port volume calibration was performed (read-only).
InjPortVolPrevVal	Displays the inject port volume determined by the previous calibration (read-only).
InjPortVolPrevDate	Displays the date the previous inject port volume calibration was performed (read-only).
InjPortVolFacVal	Displays the inject port volume determined by factory calibration (read-only).
InjPortVolFacDate	Displays the date the factory inject port volume calibration was performed (read-only).
TrayLeakDet	Performs the autosampler tray leak detector calibration.
TrayLeakDetCurVal	Displays the tray leak detector value determined by the most recent calibration (read-only).
TrayLeakDetCurDate	Displays the date the most recent tray leak detector calibration was performed (read-only).
TrayLeakDetPrevVal	Displays the tray leak detector value determined by the previous calibration (read-only).
TrayLeakDetPrevDate	Displays the date the previous tray leak detector calibration was performed (read-only).
TrayLeakDetFacVal	Displays the tray leak detector value determined by factory calibration (read-only).
TrayLeakDetFacDate	Displays the date the factory tray leak detector calibration was performed (read-only).

Diagnostic Commands and Properties

Command/Property

Description

ExtLeakDetTest	Performs a test of the chromatography or thermal compartment leak detector.
ExtLeakDetTestDate	Reports the date of the leak detector test.
ExtLeakDetTestResult	Reports the result (pass or fail) of the leak detector test.
TrayLeakDetTest	Performs a test of the autosampler tray leak detector.
TrayLeakDetTestDate	Reports the date of the leak detector test.
TrayLeakDetTestResult	Reports the result of the leak detector test: Pass_Dry, Fail_Wet, Fail_OpenCircuit, Fail_ShortCircuit, Fail_OutOfCalibration.

Equilibration Commands and Properties (available only for an AS with sample temperature control)

Tip:

Use the equilibration commands and properties only for the SmartStartup feature.

Command/Property

Description

TempCtrl	Turns sample temperature control On or Off.
ReadyTempDelta	Sets the maximum allowed difference between the set temperature and the actual temperature (None, 0 to 5 °C). Entering None or 0 disables temperature checking during equilibration (i.e., the TempReady property is immediately set to Ready, regardless of the actual temperature).
TempReady	Reports whether the temperature is within the specified limits (Ready or NotReady) (read-only).

Predictive Performance Commands and Properties

Note:

The Predictive Performance commands and properties require AS Moduleware 2.0.2 (or later). These commands are not available for AS50 autosamplers, regardless of which Moduleware version is installed in the autosampler.

Command/Property

Description

DiverterValveCycles.Value	(For Sequential or Sequential Concentrate mode) Reports the number of times the diverter valve has cycled the flow between system 1 and system 2 (read-only). (For Simultaneous mode) Reports the number of times the second injection valve has performed a load/inject cycle (read-only).
InjectValveCycles.Value	Reports the number of times the injection valve has performed a load/inject cycle (read-only). Note: The count is kept only if the injection valve is installed in the autosampler compartment. For external injection valves, the value will always be reported as 0.
XYZArmCycles.Value	Reports the number of XYZ sampling needle arm movements completed. The count is incremented when the needle arm moves to the home position, the vial, and then the inject port (read-only).
NeedleAssyCycles.Value	Reports the number of needle insertions into the inject port (read-only).
SampleSyringeCycles.Value	Reports the number of aspirate/dispense cycles the sample syringe has performed (read-only).
SamplePrepSyringeCycles.Value	Reports the number of aspirate/dispense cycles the sample prep syringe has performed (read-only).

Predictive Performance Warnings and Limits

For each predictive performance value listed above, warning and limit values are set (for example, DiverterValveCycles.Warning, DiverterValveCycles.Limit). When a warning value is reached, a warning message appears in the Audit Trail. When a limit value is reached, an error message appears in the Audit Trail.

For information about how to use the commands in practical operation, refer to Autosampler Commands (AS/AS50).

For a basic description of Dionex autosamplers, including the standard commands, refer to Dionex Autosamplers.