Bio-Rad Mini-PROTEAN® Tetra Cell - Manual (Page 10)

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Section 2
Setup and Basic Operation
2.1 Gel Cassette Preparation
Handcast Gels
1. Glass Cassette and Casting Stand Assembly
Note: All glass plates should be clean and dry.
a. Place the casting frame upright with the pressure cams in
the open position and facing forward on a flat surface.
b. Select a spacer plate of the desired gel thickness and place
a short plate on top of it (see Figure 3a).
c. Orient the spacer plate so that the labeling is up. Slide the
two glass plates into the casting frame, keeping the short
plate facing the front of the frame (side with pressure cams)
(see Figure 3b).
Note: Ensure that both plates are flush on a level surface and
that the labels on the spacer plate are oriented correctly. Leaking
may occur if the plates are misaligned or oriented incorrectly.
d. When the glass plates are in place, engage the pressure
cams to secure the glass cassette sandwich in the casting
frame (see Figure 3c). Check that both plates are flush at
the bottom.
e. Place the casting frame into the casting stand by positioning
the casting frame (with the locked pressure cams facing out)
onto the casting gasket while engaging the spring-loaded
lever of the casting stand onto the spacer plate (see Figure
3d).
Note: The gray casting stand gaskets must be clean and dry.
The casting stand gaskets are made of a special thermoplastic
material that swells when soaked in water, so we recommend
that you do not soak the gaskets for prolonged periods prior to
casting. If the gaskets do get accidentally soaked and display
swelling and/or deformation, just allow them to air dry and they
will regain their original shape, size and performance.