Bio-Rad Components for Older Model Spot Cutter - Manual (Page 29)

4.4 Starting the Spot Excision Process
✔ Press the “Begin” icon to start cutting the selected spots on the gel or membrane.
✔ When the spot excision run is completed, evaluate if any cuts were missed. If so, click the
"re-cut" icon to enter the microtiter plate well numbers of the missed cuts, and click the
"begin" icon, to start cutting the missed cuts.
✔ The Save option allows the gel image with spot numbers to be saved, as well as an excel
formatted table listing the spot number, image coordinate location, and microtiter plate
well number.
✔ Click on the "close" icon to close the Basic Excision Tool screen. PDQuest remains open.
Section 5
Maintenance and Adjustments
✔ When the System is not in operation, cover the instrument with the dust cover provided.
This prevents dust from collecting on the instrument.
✔ For general cleaning of the system, wipe with a damp cloth. Ethanol or mild detergents
may be used. Do not use any harsh solvents or cleaners.
✔ Replacing cutting platform lights.
The cutting surface lights are located directly beneath the cutting surface and consist of
four 24W fluorescent tubes. Appendix B has the diagrams showing the location of the
fluorescent bulbs and the location of covers that need to be removed. The lighting front
cover must be removed first by removing the four front cover screws and the center plat-
form screw. Once the cover has been removed, the required fluorescent tube(s) are
gently pulled out and then replaced by pushing the replacement tubes into position. After
the tube(s) are changed the front cover is re-placed.
✔ Fuses
The main power fuse is located on the system box interface plate, refer to Appendix C for
exact location. The fuse for operation is a 3.15A fuse. Two of these fuses have been
supplied with the System.
✔ Cutting Tip Cleaning
The cutting tip is made of high quality 303/304 stainless steel. If properly maintained,
the cutting tip will retain its cutting ability through repeated use. Replacement is needed
if the cutting tip has been deformed or if the spot pick-up rate is unsatisfactory even after
cleaning and cutting tip height adjustment.
If the pick-up rate is unsatisfactory, there may be gel material building up inside the tip.
Either clean out the tip with water or alcohol and a wire, or replace the cutting tip with a
new one. Daily maintenance includes washing the cutting tip with water or alcohol. Take
the tip off the instrument and squirt water or alcohol through the tip. To remove the cut-
ting tip, see the following section on "Changing Cutting Tips".
✔ Changing Cutting Tips
Click the "Set Cutting Tip Height" icon to move the cutting head to the middle of the
cutting platform, or by turning off the spot cutter and pushing the cutting head to the
empty cutting platform or empty microtiter plate area. Use the two wrenches (spanners)
supplied with the system. The customized wrench is used to hold the cutting tip holder by
fitting into the grooves located on the cutting tip holder. The open ended wrench will
then fit the top of the cutting tip. Turn the wrench clockwise to remove the tip. A new tip
can then be inserted and turned counter-clockwise to install. Use the same wrenches to
tighten the cutting tip. Do not over-tighten.
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