Thermo Scientific Vanquish Autosampler: Commands

Commands and Tips for Thermo Scientific Devices
Vanquish Autosampler (VAS)

The commands and properties listed below are available for the Vanquish Autosampler. Some commands and properties may not be visible because a display Filter level was applied.

General

Command/Property	Description
Alarm	Displays the current alarm state of the device.
AutoRackShakeAmplitude*	See section on Rack Type Handling.
AutoRackShakeCycles*	See section on Rack Type Handling.
BarcodeValidated*	See section on Rack Type Handling.
BuzzerVolume	Sets the volume of the audible alarm.
CarouselLocked	Displays whether the rack carousel is currently locked due to a pending Charger rack transfer.
Connect	Connects the module with Chromeleon.
Connected	Sets the connection status of the module: Connected or Disconnected.
Disconnect	Disconnects the module from Chromeleon.
DoorLeft / DoorRight	Indicates the status of the door in use: Open, Closed.
DrainPump	Deactivates/activates the drain pump and displays the current status of the drain pump. Note: Even if you set this property, activation and deactivation might automatically be carried out by the firmware under certain circumstances.
DrainPumpInterval	Sets the interval after which the drain pump becomes activated. Thermo Fisher Scientific recommends leaving the default value.
DriverID	Displays the identification number of the driver.
DriverManufacturer	Displays the manufacturer of the driver.
DriverVersion	Displays the driver version.
FirmwareVersion	Displays the firmware version of the autosampler.
InitiateChangeRack	Rotates the specified segment to the front to enable an easy removal or exchange of the sample rack. Note: The following only applies if a Charger is connected: As the Charger delivers sample racks and well plates to segment Y (yellow) of the autosampler carousel, you must leave segment Y empty at all times. Do not manually remove any sample racks or well plates from segment Y when in operation.
Leak	Indicates whether the leak sensor has detected a leak.
LeakSensorMode	Activates or deactivates leak detection: Enabled (default and recommended): Activates leak detection. An alert indicates when the leak sensor reports a leak. Disabled: Deactivates leak detection. The leak sensor status is written to the Audit Trail, but no message appears and no alert.
Light	Specifies the behavior of the sample compartment light when the autosampler doors are closed: On, Off. Note: When the left door is open, the sample compartment light is on.
LowerFanSpeed*	See section on Temperature.
ModelNo	Indicates the technical name of the device.
MuteAlarm	Mutes the alarm signal.
NeedleHeight	Specifies the distance between the bottom of the sample container and the position to which the needle is lowered when drawing sample. Safe value = 2000 µm. Caution: Thermo Fisher Scientific recommends using the Safe value if you use vials of different sizes, as a certain vial height might not correspond to the set NeedleHeight value which can result in severe damage to the needle.
Occupied*	See section on Rack Type Handling.
OrientationAlert*	See section on Rack Type Handling.
RackInSampler*	See section on Rack Type Handling.
RackType*	See section on Rack Type Handling.
Reset	Resets the driver and performs an inventory scan to detect the current rack configuration in the sampler. May be required in some cases after a sequence error or a problem during a rack transport between sampler and Charger.
SerialNo	Indicates the serial number of the connected module.
TempCtrl*	See section on Temperature.
Temperature.Nominal*	See section on Temperature.
Temperature.Value*	See section on Temperature.
Temperature_Ambient*	See section on Temperature.
TemperaturePWM*	See section on Temperature.
UpperFanSpeed*	See section on Temperature.
UserBarcode*	See section on Rack Type Handling.

Sampler

Command/Property	Description
AbortInject	Interrupts the current injection of the sampler. This command can only be activated manually. It is only necessary if a manual injection has been started. If a batch is running, use Abort batch immediately instead.
Busy	Indicates if this sampling unit is: Busy: active (sampling, washing) -OR- Idle
Cleanup	Initiates an internal cleanup procedure of the sampler. Usually this is automatically done when a sampling procedure is aborted. Note: This command can only be called manually. A cleanup procedure takes at least three times the specified wash time.
DispenseSpeed	Specifies the speed at which the sample is flushed out of the sample loop.
DrawDelay	Specifies the time delay between sample draw and needle movement out of the sample. Increase this value with faster draw speeds or viscous samples to avoid air bubbles in the autosampler flow path.
DrawSpeed	Specifies the speed at which solvent is drawn into the needle.
IdleVolume	Defines the volume in the metering device during sample processing.
Inject	Initiates a sample injection.
InjectResponseSignalTime	Specifies for how long the relay indicates to the detector that the injection has taken place. Default value is 0.5 s. Increase this value if the detector does not recognize the injection signal reliably (this may be needed for some mass spectrometry detectors). If set to 0=NoSignal, injection is not indicated via relay.
InjectWashMode*	See section on Wash Procedure.
LoopVolume	Defines the volume of the sample loop as specified on the label of the loop.
NotReadyCauses	Indicates a list of causes which prevent the sampler from becoming ready for the next injection.
Position	Specifies the sample position in the sample rack or well plate.
PrepareNextSample	Starts an advanced sampling procedure of the next sample during the post-run equilibration time of the current run. The autosampler prepares the next sample (sample draw, wash, etc.) using the parameters defined in the corresponding PGM file. When the Inject command of the next run is executed, the injection valve immediately switches to the inject position. Usually, the injection valve would switch to the inject position only after all preparation steps specified in the instrument method have been executed after the Inject command. Caution: This should not be done while the analysis is still running as this could distort the results.
PrepareThisSample	Starts an advanced sampling procedure during the pre-equilibration period of the current run. When the Inject command is executed, the injection valve immediately switches to the inject position. Usually, the injection valve would switch to the inject position only after all preparation steps specified in the instrument method have been executed after the Inject command. For more information about starting an equilibration, refer to Equilibrating the Chromatography System (SmartStartup) Starting Equilibration (SmartStartup).
Pump	Specifies the device name of this pump device that delivers the flow through the column at inject time.
SyncWithPump	Enables pump stroke synchronization of the sampling and injection process with a Vanquish Quaternary pump or any other pump supporting pump stroke synchronization. By default, the value is set to On to ensure synchronization. Set this property to Off to stop pump stroke synchronization preliminary. Note: Pump stroke synchronization is only possible if the VAS driver is linked to a corresponding pump. This can be done either in the Vanquish Autosampler Configuration Wizard or later on the Links tab in the sampler configuration. If such a link is established, this property becomes available. You can also set this property to On or Off for every analysis by selecting or deselecting the Enable Stroke Synchronization check box on the Sampler Parameter page in the corresponding program.
PunctureOffset	After the needle has punctured the septum of the vial the carousel moves by this value to enlarge the hole in the septum for pressure equalization. Tip: Select this parameter when using large injection volumes and unslotted septa.
Ready	Indicates if the sampler is ready for another injection.
Status	Displays the status of the sampler.
SwitchValve	Switches the injection valve to the specified position: Bypass, Inject.
ValveSerialNo	Displays the serial number of the injection valve of this sampling unit.
ValvePosition	Displays the current position of the injection valve (Unknown, Bypass, Inject, Moving).
Volume	Specifies the inject volume.
Wash*	See section on Wash Procedure.
WashPump*	See section on Wash Procedure.
WashSpeed*	See section on Wash Procedure.
WashTime*	See section on Wash Procedure.

Rack Type Handling

Both autosampler and Charger are equipped with a barcode reader. Thermo Fisher Scientific provides sample racks and well plates with a dedicated barcode ("valid") encoding the RackType to automatically identify the autosampler and Charger inventory. Therefore, it is not necessary to manually configure rack types and check the correct needle orientation.

Tip:

The Vanquish Autosampler can automatically distinguish between deep and flat well plates. For this reason, a separate rack type "Deep Well Plate" is no longer provided in the list of available rack types. This means that in order to use deep well plates, you now only need to select the appropriate "Well Plate" variant, e.g. "WellPlate96" for a deep well plate comprised of 96 wells.

Command/Property	Description
AutoRackShakeAmplitude	Specifies the amplitude of the preparing rack shaking movement in 'Steps'; one 'Step' corresponds to an amplitude of 0.03 mm at the outer border of the rack carousel. Thermo Fisher Scientific recommends using the default value of 30 steps (= 0.9 mm). Note: Setting this property requires a firmware version of 1.04 or higher. For a firmware version of 1.03 or older, the driver will always display Off.
AutoRackShakeCycles	Specifies the number of automatic rack shaking movements of the carousel prior to the sampling procedure. Use 'Off'=0' to disable rack shaking movements. Note: Setting this property requires a firmware version of 1.04 or higher. For a firmware version of 1.03 or older, the driver will always display Off.
BarcodeValidated_XXX=Red (Blue, Green, Yellow, CH01-CH20)	Indicates if the type of the sample rack or well plate in the respective carousel segment or shelf level has been identified with a valid barcode: If a sample rack or well plate (with or without a barcode) is present, this property will be set to No. If the carousel segment or shelf level was found to be empty identified by the respective barcodes on the autosampler carousel or Charger shovel, this property will be set to Yes.
Occupied_XXX=Red (Blue, Green, Yellow, CH01-CH20)	Indicates if the respective carousel segment or shelf level is occupied or empty: If a rack/well plate is equipped with a valid barcode, this property will be set to Occupied. If a sample rack or well plate cannot be detected, this property will be set to Empty.
OrientationAlert	Indicates whether or not one or more rack/well plates are oriented correctly in the carousel segment/shelf level: If one or more racks/well plates are not oriented correctly, the property will be set to On. If all racks/well plates in the autosampler are oriented correctly, the property will be set to Off. Note: If a rack/well plate does not have a barcode, or if there is no rack/well plate identified because the carousel segment or shelf level is empty, this property will always be set to Off, even if the rack/well plate is not oriented correctly.
OrientationAlert_XXX=Red (Blue, Green, Yellow, CH01-CH20)	Indicates whether or not an identified rack/well plate is oriented correctly in the carousel segment/shelf level: If the rack/well plate with a valid barcode is not oriented correctly, this property will be set to On and initiate an alarm signal. If the rack/well plate with a valid barcode is oriented correctly, this property will be set to Off. Note: If a rack/well plate does not have a barcode, or if there is no rack/well plate identified because the carousel segment or shelf level is empty, this property will always be set to Off, even if the rack/well plate is not oriented correctly.
RackInSampler_XXX=Red (Blue, Green, Yellow, CH01-CH20)	Indicates whether or not the rack in this shelf level has temporarily been placed into the autosampler due to a pending injection: If the carousel segment or shelf level is empty or the rack/well plate is located in the Charger, this property will be set to No. If the rack was preliminarily moved into the autosampler, this property will be set to Yes.
RackType_XXX=Red (Blue, Green, Yellow, CH01-CH20)	Sets and displays the type of the sample rack/well plate located on shelf level #1 (RackType_CH01) to shelf level #20 (RackType_CH20) or in the carousel segments (e.g. RackType_Red), as recognized during an inventory scan. This property is updated automatically if the rack/well plate is provided with a valid barcode. The rack type value is Unknown if a rack type cannot be detected (rack without barcode used or barcode not readable) and the carousel segment or shelf level was empty before or occupied by a rack with a valid barcode. In this case, select the correct rack type from the list. For more information, refer to Thermo Scientific Vanquish Autosampler and Charger: Tips The rack type value is Empty if no sample rack or well plate is placed in the respective shelf level or carousel segment. Note: You can set the rack type manually, only if the rack does not have a barcode. The corresponding 'BarcodeValidated' property reports No.
UserBarcode_XXX=Red (Blue, Green, Yellow, CH01-CH20)	Contains the user barcode information at the respective carousel segment or shelf level if a barcode was detected that is not a valid Thermo Scientific barcode.

Temperature

Note:

The following properties also apply to the Charger. They are only available if temperature control is enabled in the Chromeleon Server Configuration.

Property	Description
TempCtrl	Activates and deactivates the temperature control of the autosampler. If a Charger is connected, the temperature control of the Charger is activated or deactivated as well.
Temperature.Nominal	Controls the temperature of the sample compartment. If a Charger is connected, the temperature inside its compartment is controlled as well.
Temperature.Value	Displays the current temperature of the sample compartment. If a Charger is connected, this value is also valid for the Charger compartment.
Temperature_Ambient	Displays the current ambient temperature.
TemperaturePWM	Displays the current heating (positive) or cooling (negative) power of the sample compartment temperature unit in [%].
UpperFanSpeed / LowerFanSpeed	Displays the current fan speed.

Wash Procedure

Note:

Most wash procedures can also be defined on the Sampler Parameter page of the Program Wizard or Editor for the Vanquish autosampler. (For more information about the wizard or editor, refer to Control The Program Wizard, and Chromeleon (Overview) The PGM Editor.)

There are two ways to start a wash procedure to clean the needle externally:

Manual start by sending the Wash command.
Automatic start during the Inject command.

The injection wash procedure can be customized by means of the following properties:

Command/Property	Description
InjectWashMode	Specifies if and when a wash procedure is to take place: NoWash, BeforeDraw, AfterDraw, Both.
Wash	Initiates a cleaning cycle of the needle exclusively: On, Off. The duration is specified using the property WashTime.
WashPump	Deactivates/activates the wash pump: On, Off. Note: This is only required if you have changed the washing liquid to refill the tubes. It is not designed for PGM files and can only be set manually here or on a Control Panel if no batch is running.
WashSpeed	Sets the flow speed of the washing solvent into the wash port. The flow speed is delivered by the wash pump. Note: If you upgraded to Chromeleon 6.80 DU15a or later but use an instrument method of any previous Chromeleon version, you will get an error message that the WashSpeed value is out of range, and the method cannot be started anymore. In order to fix your instrument method, change the WashSpeed value manually: Divide the old value by 0.06 and enter the new value.
WashTime	Specifies the duration in seconds the needle remains in the wash port.

System Wellness and Predictive Performance

Command/Property	Description
BCR_ScanCounter	Displays the number of barcode reader scans.
CoolingWorkload	Indicates the total cooling workload of the thermostatting unit since it was installed.
DrainPumpHours	Displays the total operating hours of the drain pump since it was installed.
DrainPumpTubeChanged	Execute this command after the tube of the drain pump has been changed. The DrainPumpTubeHours counter will be reset.
DrainPumpTubeChangeDate	Displays the date of the last exchange of the referring component (Year - Month - Day).
DrainPumpTubeHours	Commands and properties of the total operating hours of the drain pump tube.
*.Limit	Enter a value. An error is issued as soon as the specified value is reached.
*.Value	Displays the operating hours of the drain pump tube since it was installed. Note: The DrainPumpTubeChanged command resets this counter. The date of the last exchange is stored in DrainPumpTubeChangeDate. A Warning and Limit setting is provided – both are disabled by default.
*.Warning	Enter a value. A warning appears as soon as the specified value is reached.
ExceptionLogClear	Clears the error log of the device. Note: An error log is created if the firmware has crashed during an operation. The firmware sends all error log entries to the driver at connect time to be reported in the daily audit trail. You get a warning message about the error and are asked to send the affected audit trail to hardware service for inspection if this happens more often, and to use this command to clear the internal logs.
HeatingWorkLoad	Indicates the total heating workload of the thermostatting unit since it was installed.
HorizontalDriveMovements	Displays the total number of movements of the horizontal drive.
InjectValveSwitches	Displays the total number of switches of the injection valve.
MeteringDriveMovements*	Displays the total number of movements of the metering device drive. *See the section on Metering Device for more information.
MeteringHeadChange*	Wellness counter to log the latest exchange of the metering device head. *See the section on Metering Device for more information.
NeedleChanged	Execute this command after the needle has been changed. The NeedleMovements counter will be reset.
NeedleChangeDate	Displays the last exchange date of the needle (Year - Month - Day).
NeedleDriveMovements	Displays the total number of movements of the needle drive to move the needle vertically. Note: The counter continues counting needle drive movements regardless of whether the needle has been changed.
NeedleMovements	Wellness counter to measure the total number of vertical needle movements since the needle was installed. Note: The NeedleChanged command resets this property. The date of the last exchange is stored in NeedleChangeDate. A Warning and Limit setting is provided – both are disabled by default.
NeedleObstructions	Displays the total number of obstacles in the way of the needle movements since the needle was installed.
NeedleSeatChanged	Execute this command after the needle seat has been changed. The NeedleSeatCounter will be reset.
NeedleSeatChangeDate	Displays the last exchange date of the needle seat (Year - Month - Day).
NeedleSeatCounter	Wellness Counter to track the total number of needle movements into the needle seat since the needle seat was installed. Note: The NeedleSeatChanged command resets this property. The date of the last exchange is stored at NeedleSeatChangeDate. A Warning and Limit setting is provided – both are disabled by default.
Operating Hours	Displays the total operating hours since the autosampler was shipped.
PowerOnTime	Displays the operating time since the autosampler was powered on.
Qualification	Information about checking the functionality of the device.
*.GracePeriod	Specify a time span during which you are still allowed to use the autosampler and Charger after the qualification due date.
*.Interval	Specify the interval after which the next qualification of the autosampler and Charger is due.
*.LastDate	Indicates the date the last qualification was performed.
*.LastOperator	Indicates the operator who performed the last qualification.
*.WarningPeriod	Specify a time span within you will be reminded of the next qualification due date.
QualificationDone	Call this command after a successful qualification run.
SelfTest	Initiates a self test of the autosampler.
SelfTestPassed	Reports the result of the latest self test initiated with the SelfTest command. The property is set to No while a self test is running. Note: This property does not monitor implicit self tests after a power cycle.
Service	Information about the service or service on the device.
*.Interval	Specify an interval after which the next service of the autosampler and Charger is due.
*.LastDate	Indicates the date the last service was performed.
*.WarningPeriod	Specify a time span within you will be reminded of the next service due date.
ServiceDone	Execute this command after the service has been performed.
TotalInjections	Displays the total number of injections.
TrayDriveMovements	Displays the number of movements of the carousel.
WashPumpHours	Displays the total operating hours of the wash pump since it was installed.

Metering Device

Command/Property	Description
MeteringDriveMovements	Displays the total number of movements of the metering device drive.
MeteringHeadChange	Wellness counter to log the latest exchange of the metering device head.
*.Interval	Displays the interval after which a service of the module is due. This is set to None by default.
*.LastDate	Displays the date of the exchange that was last reported.
*.LastOperator	Displays the name of the Chromeleon operator who executed the corresponding reset command: MeteringHeadChanged. Note: For firmware version 1.05 and older, this wellness property is left empty and the 'MeteringHeadChanged' command will be rejected.
*.WarningPeriod	Displays the specified warning period within the system will issue a warning to remind you of the next due date for re-qualification. This is set to None by default.
MeteringHeadChanged	The Chromeleon operator triggers this command after an exchange of the metering device. The command sets the 'MeteringHeadChange' wellness counter to the current date.
UndockMeteringHead	Moves the metering device into a position that enables replacement of the metering device head. Notes: With firmware version 1.05 and older, the command is rejected. Thermo Fisher Scientific recommends to upgrade to a firmware version of 1.07 or higher. For firmware version 1.06 and older the DockMeteringHead command is rejected. This command will take some seconds to proceed. During this period, the sampler reports 'Busy'. This command also affects the 'MeteringHeadStatus' property. The command can only be performed manually as long as the sampler is idle.
DockMeteringHead	Moves the metering device back to the operating position. Notes: With firmware version 1.06 and older the command is rejected. If the UndockMeteringHead command was issued with firmware version 1.06 installed and the metering device head is in 'undocked' position now, power-cycle the autosampler to make it operational again. In order to avoid this, Thermo Fisher Scientific recommends to upgrade to a firmware version of 1.07 or higher. This command will take some seconds to proceed. During this period, the sampler reports 'Busy'. This command also affects the 'MeteringHeadStatus' property. The command can only be performed manually as long as the sampler is idle.
MeteringHeadStatus	Displays the status of the metering device with respect to the metering device exchange commands. At connect time, the driver checks the position of the metering drive motor to decide whether the sampling unit is operational or in exchange position: If the sampler is disconnected, the property is set to Unknown. When the commands 'UndockMeteringHead' or 'DockMeteringHead' are used, the driver monitors the progress of the sampler actions and updates the property accordingly: PrepUndocking, Undocked, PrepareDocking. The driver will set the 'NotReady' property to 'Ready' as soon as the status is Operational.

Further Information

Thermo Scientific Vanquish Charger: Commands

Thermo Scientific Vanquish Autosampler and Charger: Tips

Thermo Scientific: Commands and Tips.

For installation details, refer to Hardware Installation: Thermo Scientific Devices:

Thermo Scientific Vanquish Autosampler: Installation

For more information, refer to the Vanquish Autosampler Operating Manual.