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How to setup and install a SQWERTY - Pipetting Robot

Ian - Service & Support Manager
  • Updated

Introduction

Installing the SQWERTY - Pipetting Robot out of the box is very easy. This article explains the setup and installation from start to finish. Once the SQWERTY is set up and ready to use see How to create a workflow for SQWERTY.

Contents

Procedure

  • Prepare a space on a lab bench suitable for the SQWERTY
    • Dimensions : Length: 421mm (16.6”) x Width: 405mm (16”) x Height (from bench top): door closed 365mm (14.4”) ; door open 598mm  (23.5”)
    • Weight : 16kg (35 lbs) without accessories or consumables
    • Worth mentioning that it should be 200 mm space all around (according to tech specs) ?
  • Remove all contents from the SQWERTY box and place the main unit on the lab bench
    • Lift with a wide stance and a straight back while holding the indents for the waste containers located on each side of the instrument.
  • Remove the polystyrene packaging and the plastic wrap from SQWERTY by tipping SQWERTY from one side to the other. 
    • For the list of components in the box, see SQWERTY box content section. Link required here. 
  • Remove the pipette module and the pipette module mandrel (tip cone adaptor) from their bags within the pipette module box. 
  • Gently screw the supplied adaptor into the hole on the narrow base of the pipette module.
    • Screw it in hand tight and then use the supplied mandrel removal tool to gently to secure it in place.

1: Pipette Module 2: Adaptor fitted 3: Mandrel Removal Tool

  • Remove the transit clamp by unscrewing the black plate holders (three black screws which secure labware in position). 
  • Place the drip tray underneath the decks. 
  • Firmly seat the pipette module on the runner (the metal railing) as pictured below.

  • Place the lids onto the waste containers and insert them into the gaps on both sides of SQWERTY (flat side first).
  • Insert the power cable and an ethernet cable into the back of the unit and connect them to a power socket and an ethernet port (skip the ethernet cable if you plan on connecting SQWERTY using a WiFi connection, see How to connect section).
  • Place the tip rack adaptor on the plate holder. 
    • Place the wafer of tips into the tip rack adapter, use the metal clips on each end to secure the wafer in place. 
    • Place the adapter with tips into Zone 1 of SQWERTY (leftmost zone), pushing into the left back corner where a magnetic gripper secures the adapter in place. The metal pin should be in the front left hand corner of Zone 1. 
    • Use the plate holder to support your labware adapters whilst you place your tubes/reservoirs in the slots and then insert into Zone 2 or 3. Multi-well plates and other SBS format plates can be inserted directly into the zones.
  • Turn on SQWERTY using the switch in the back, wait for approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute. The lights will flash, the pipette module will rise and home on the runner (top right hand position) and the lights will stop flashing
  • Install SQWERTY software onto a PC of your choice. See 'How to connect' and 'Create a workflow' sections for next steps.

How to connect

Method 1 - ethernet cable

  • Connect SQWERTY to your local area network (LAN) by plugging one end of an ethernet cable into the unit’s network port (found on the back of the unit) and the other end into a network port that is part of your LAN.
  • Turn on SQWERTY.
  • Connect your PC or laptop (containing the SQWERTY software) to the same LAN via a second ethernet cable (use PC adapters if required).
  • Open the SQWERTY software.
  • Navigate to settings (cog icon on top right of screen).
  • Click 'Search'.
  • Select the relevant unit from the list.
  • Hit the blue 'Select' button.
  • With SQWERTY connected to your LAN you can also connect your PC/laptop via Wifi if it is part of the same network.

Note: A direct connection to SQWERTY via ethernet cable is not possible and it must go through your network. This is because SQWERTY needs an IP address to be assigned to it by a network DHCP server.

Method 2 - SQWERTY WiFi

SQWERTY broadcasts its own dedicated wireless network which you can connect to via Wifi on your PC/laptop.

  • Turn on SQWERTY and wait until the device is ready (internal lights will stop flashing)
  • Open the list of available WiFi connections on your device.
  • Select the SSID “SQWERTY-0xx” from the list (the SSID can be found on the back of your unit along with the Wifi password).
  • Enter the password for the SSID.
  • Open SQWERTY software.
  • Navigate to settings (cog icon on top right of screen).
  • Click 'Search'.
  • Select the relevant unit from the list.
  • Hit the blue 'Select' button.
  • The displayed IP address will now show the correct IP address of your unit
    • If you have previously connected to this device, the IP address should be correct from last time.
  • Click 'Connect' and wait 15 seconds.
  • To confirm the connection, select 'Identify' to make the unit you are connected to flash its internal lights.
  • When you are finished - select 'Disconnect' or just turn off SQWERTY.

Notes

  1. If your computer requires an internet connection while using this method, you will need to connect to the internet via an ethernet cable as SQWERTY will be using the computer's wifi connection.
  2. Only one device can be connected to a SQWERTY unit at a time, but once connected, you can't be booted off.
  3.  When connecting to the WiFi device, ensure the unit’s network profile (right click on item in WiFi list and click ‘Properties’) is selected to be ‘Private’, instead of ‘Public’

If you require more information please contact technicalsupport@singerinstruments.com for assistance.

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