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

Dionex Fraction Collectors
Dionex UltiMate 3000 Series AFC-3000 Automated Fraction Collector

In addition to several General Device Commands, the commands listed below are available for the AFC-3000 fraction collector. Please note that the display Filter level determines which commands and properties are displayed.

Command/Property	Purpose/Remarks
CollectMode	Defines how the drop former moves across the racks. Vertical: The drop former follows a meander-shaped path. SawVertical (default): The drop former follows a saw-shaped path. The movement matches the imprinted numbering on rack types available from Dionex. Vertical Saw Vertical Caution: To avoid accidental contamination of empty tubes, do not use SawVertical collect mode in combination with Continue movement mode (see also MovementMode). The CollectMode must not be changed during a fraction collection, or during the course of a program file or sequence.
Connect	Connects the fraction collector to Chromeleon. Chromeleon performs a re-establishment of x- and y-axis and switches the diverter valve to Drain. In addition, the following connect default values will be set:: MovementMode = Interrupt, CollectMode = SawVertical. The drop former moves to the rinse position. Tip: The Connect command can be performed even if the device is already connected.
Disconnect	Disconnects the device from Chromeleon control.
MovementMode	Defines whether the diverter valve switches (closes) or remains open when the drop former moves. Interrupt (default): If the diverter valve is open ("Collect") and any movement of the drop former is made, the diverter valve always closes ("Drain") prior to the movement and opens again ("Collect") after the target position has been reached. While the valve is switched to drain and the drop former moves to the next tube, the delivered sample is directed to the waste. Continue: The diverter valve maintains the previously defined valve state during and after any movement. In this mode, either all sample is directed to the waste or all sample goes through the drop former. This mode is designed to be used with the funnel rack. Caution: To avoid accidental contamination of empty tubes, do not use Continue movement mode in combination with SawVertical collect mode (see also CollectMode).
MoveTo	Moves the drop former to a user-defined position. x: Sets the position of the drop former on the x-axis (between left and right when facing device from the front). y: Sets the position of the drop former on the y-axis (between fore and aft when facing device from the front).
Rack	Defines the rack types installed on the tube tray. See Set the rack configuration. Caution: The rack configuration must not be changed during a fraction collection, or during the course of a program file or sequence.
Reset	Moves the drop former to the rinse position and performs a re-establishment of x- and y-axis.
RinsePosition	Centers the drop former over the rinse station.
TubePosition	Moves the drop former to the specified tube position on the configured rack. At least one legal rack type must be defined.
Valve	Switches the diverter valve to Collect or Drain. Switch the valve to Drain, for example, prior to or after a run, to avoid spillages.

Set the rack configuration

Before you start collecting fractions, you must define the rack types you have installed on the universal drip tray in Chromeleon. It is not recommended to define a rack type in a program file.

Open the Commands dialog box.
Click the plus sign beside AFC.

Click Rack. In the Rack1 to Rack6 boxes, select the installed racks. If you have less then six racks installed, select NotUsed for all unused rack positions. Note:

All racks have to be defined following the order from Rack1 to Rack6.
Racks for 96 well plates and Schott bottles must not be mixed with any other rack types.

Unused racks must always be at the end of the list. For example, it is not allowed to set NotUsed for Rack1 and then select an installed rack for Rack2. Observe the rack layout scheme for your rack type:

Fraction rack	Rack layout
21Pos, 24Pos, 40Pos, 60Pos, 90Pos Two racks can be installed on the universal drip tray, holding the specified number of tubes. Any two racks may be used together at one time.
36Pos_Foxy, 60Pos_Foxy, 72Pos_Foxy One Foxy rack can be installed on the tray, holding the specified number of tubes. To ensure correct installation of the rack, a set of locating pins is available from Dionex (part no. 6702.9006).
96Pos_Foxy Two well plates can be installed on the Foxy well plate holder. To ensure correct installation of the rack, a set of locating pins is available from Dionex (part no. 6702.9006).
96Pos Four well plates can be installed on the Dionex well plate adapter. Well plates must not be mixed with other rack types.
10Pos_WPS, 22Pos_WPS, 40Pos_WPS Four Dionex WPS-3000 well-plate sampler racks can be installed on the Dionex WPS rack adapter. Any four racks may be used together at one time.
Bottle Six 250 mL Schott bottles can be placed directly on the universal drip tray. You must always install all six bottles. It is not possible to mix bottles with other rack types.

Click Execute.

Further Information

For a program example, refer to AFC-3000 - Program Example for Fraction Collection.

For information about how to install the AFC-3000 automated fraction collector, refer to Installation Instructions AFC-3000 Automated Fraction Collector: Installation.