Autosampler Control
Autosampler Commands (ASI-100 Series)

Many commands for the Dionex ASI-100 Autosamplers are similar to those of the GINA 50 (see  Autosampler Commands (GINA 50)). However, there are some important differences, which are described below:

Sample Positions

The sample vials are situated in three segments of different color. Within the segments, the vials are situated in different rows. Thus, the sample positions are indicated as follows:

Letters reference the segments according to their color: R, G, or B (indicating the red, green, and blue segments, respectively). The rows are named A, B, C, or D, from the outer to the inner row. The individual positions within each row are numbered counterclockwise. For example, the RA1 position is located in the outer row of the red segment (also, refer to the Operating Instructions for the ASI-100 series).

Autosampler Configuration

Specify the vial positions before starting the program. It is particularly important to define the vial positions for reagents and wash liquid. These positions are valid throughout the entire running time of the program:

The following line defines how many times draw and dispense are repeated for the Mix command:

Draw, Dispense, Mix

Before the Draw, Dispense, or Mix command, you must specify the vial (depending on the selected option - see below) and the volume for the draw or dispense operation (or both, for the Mix command):

The following options are available for the PrepSubject property:

Some commands need to be synchronized with Chromeleon; that is, the autosampler automatically reports completion of the respective operation to Chromeleon. In addition, the Sampler.Ready wait condition must be part of the Program. The following commands are executed only after the autosampler has confirmed that the previous command has been executed. This applies to the Draw, Dispense, Mix, Test, and Wash commands and is illustrated below:

Description of the program example: First, the autosampler draws 30 µl of solution from the current sample vial, and, upon completion, 30 µl of solution from the reagent A vial. The entire volume drawn is dispensed into the mixing vial. The injection volume, which has been specified in the sample list, is then drawn and injected from this position.

Air Segment

To draw an air segment, specify that the PrepSubject be Air. For example, use the following program part to draw reagent A and sample separated by an air segment. The air segment prevents early mixing in the needle and makes sure that an exactly defined reaction time is met.

Description of the program part: After 100 µl of reagent A are drawn, 5 µl of air is drawn first before another 100 µl of sample is drawn from the sample vial. Thus, the two solutions are not mixed before they are placed in the mixing vial.

Relative Sample Location

1. Different rings: The autosampler can execute commands relative to a given sample position. Type Position + [relative entry] in the Position field of the Draw or Dispense commands. In the program, this may look as follows (if the current position is in the RA ring):

Description of the program part: The autosampler draws 30 µl of solution from the current sample vial, moves to the respective position in the RB ring, and draws 30 µl of solution from this position as well. Then, the 60 µl solution is dispensed into the vial at the respective position in the RC ring. For example, if the current sample is situated at position RA3, another 30 µl will be drawn from position RB3, and the entire volume of 60 µl will be dispensed at position RC3. After that, 30 µl are injected from position RC3.

 Note:

In the above program example, we repeat the PrepSubject property with the Sample_Vial argument for clarity. This is actually not required, as Chromeleon always maintains the latest setting. The same is true for the second PrepVolume property, as it is not necessary to specify the argument "30" a second time.

2. Different segments: You can also place the samples to derivate into the red segment, for example, and mix them with a reagent in the corresponding vial in the green segment using the following commands:

The first line specifies that the corresponding vial in the green segment be used as the mixing vial for the sample in the red segment. For example, if you wish to process the sample at position RB5, mixing takes place at position GB5.

3. Incrementing the positions: Another way is to increment the positions. Use the following example to define the 5th position after the current position for PrepSubject:

For example, if you wish to process the sample from position RB3, the vial at position RB8 is the mixing vial.

Needle Wash

Use the Wash command to rinse the autosampler's needle with the wash liquid. The wash volume is drawn and then dispensed into the needle seat.

For an overview of the individual commands for the ASI-100 Autosamplers, refer to Commands for Controlling Dionex Devices  Dionex ASI-100 Autosampler Series.