Bio-Rad Components for Older Model Spot Cutter - Manual (Page 21)

3.6 Calibration of the Microtiter Plate (MTP)
3.6.1 Calibration of MTP A1 Position
The microtiter plate holder is to the immediate right of the cutting surface. The system
accepts any standard microtiter plate. Polypropylene plates are recommended for protein
processing. Corning and Grainer brand plates have been tested and work well in this system.
Use "U" or "V" well bottoms for best recovery.
Note: 384 well plates and 96 well plates are oriented with the A1 in the position top right
position.
Fig. 8. A1 position for microtiter plates on spot cutter.
• Insert a microtiter plate (MTP) into the holder, hold the plate at a slight angle, push the
corner of the microtiter plate corresponding to position H12 against the positioning pin
located at the bottom left hand corner of the MTP holder and push the microtiter plate
down into the holder.
• Click "spot cutter settings" icon in setup area of the "Basic Excision Tool" dialog box.
• Select microtiter plate size, 96 well or 384 well. Different calibration settings are
needed for each plate type. The software will save the last used calibration setting.
• To calibrate the microtiter plate position, place the cursor behind the value shown in either
the x or y position box under "Well A1 position" and press the Enter key on the keyboard
(the A1 position is in the upper right corner of the holder). This will move the cutting tip
to the A1 position of the microtiter plate without lowering the cutting tip into the well, to
prevent potential damage to the cutting tip in cases of severe misalignment.
• Visibly assess where the cutting tip is in relation to the A1 well. The number values in the
boxes represent the x, y coordinates on the cutting platform (1 unit = 1 mm). Change the
x, y coordinates to position the cutting tip to the center of well A1. When entering a new
value, press return to move the cutting tip to the adjusted coordinates. To move the cut-
ting tip towards the front of the platform, decrease the Y value; to move towards the back
of the platform, increase the Y value. In order to move the cutting tip to the right, increase
the X value; to move to the left, decrease the X value. See the Figure below for a
description of the calibration movements.
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A1 well of
microtiter plate