Self Installation Guide (TB_PE001_Rev A)

The following instructions will guide you through the process of

installing the Plate Express.
Approximate installation time: 30 minutes

In the box:

USB A to External 24VDC ¼”

B cable Switch Power Tubing
Supply and Tee

Getting to know the

Plate Express

Solvent
On/Off tray
Switch

Elution USB (B end)

6-Port Assembly
Valve
External
Switch
Connector
Laser N2 Inlet (60-
Light 100 PSI)
24VDC
Purge
Input
Assembly

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Setup (rear) (TB_PE001_RevA)

Begin setting up the Plate Express by ❶ Ensuring the On/Off button is in

the off position with ○ depressed on the switch. ❷ Plug in the 24VDC
power supply to the main power and the Plate Express.

Solvent

❶ ❶ tray

On/Off
Switch

USB (B end)

External
Switch
Connector
N2 Inlet (60-

❷ ❷ 100 PSI)

24VDC ❸
Input


❸ Connect N2 gas to instrument. The Plate Express has an internal gas
regulator which will regulate the inlet gas to 60PSI (4.1 Bar). The inlet

pressure should be between 60 (4.1 Bar) and 100 PSI (6.9 Bar).

❹ Connect the supplied USB (B side) to the

Plate Express.
USB (B end)

A side to PC B ❹
External
Switch
Connector
❺ Connect the external switch (blue button) to ❺
the external switch connector.


unlock
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Setup (front) (TB_PE001_RevA)

❻ Place the Plate Express as close to the expression CMS as possible to minimize
tubing volume.

❼ Remove shipping tape located

on the front panel and inside the
front cover.

❽ Plumb LC line and the MS line to

the 6 port valve.

TO
SAMPLE
HEAD

❽
PLUG
FROM LC ❿
N2 PURGE
❾
TO MS

FROM
SAMPLE
HEAD

(a)
❾ Verify elution head is secure. The collar (a)
should be finger tight so that the elution head (b)
is secure.
(b)
❿ Note: Adjust the laser once the software is installed.
There are three (3) thumb screws which allow for position adjustment of the laser.
The laser should be positioned to indicate where the elution head will contact the
surface.

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Setup (software) (TB_PE001_RevA)

⓫ Ensure Mass Express software is 2.2. or newer. If not, update software before
continuing.

⓬ Turn on the Plate Express with the On/Off button located on the rear of the
instrument. To enable the Plate Express navigate to the systems tab and check the
“Enable Plate Express” check box.

⓭ Exit software and select YES to the question of “Save current environmental
variables?” Open Mass Express to start using the Plate Express.

⓮ Navigate to the “Control and Status” screen to verify basic functions.

Connect Pressing “Connect” will connect USB to Comm Port for

control
Purge Head Pressing “Purge Head” will initiate a purge cycle

Laser On Pressing “Laser On” will turn on laser

Laser Off Pressing “Laser Off” will turn off laser

Light On Pressing “Light On” will turn on white light source.

It contains a three way switch for the brightness.
Light Off Pressing “Light Off” will turn off white light source

Reset Pressing “Reset” will clear the elution head run counter

Check box The check box determines if laser and white light are
turned off when Mass Express is exited

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Getting Started (TB_PE001_RevA)

❶ At this point the Plate Express has been setup with the basic functions verified.
At the bottom of Mass Express the state of the Plate Express should state “Ready”

❷ Navigate to the “Manual Run” tab where users can create surface types and
determine which type will be used during the acquisition.

The “Edit Database” drop down allows

users to create surface / plate types
with default forces and extraction
times.

Example: TLC Glass has a force of 275

Newton's which will be applied for 30
seconds of this selected type.

TIP: The recommended force for a new elution head on glass plates is 250 Newton.
As the knife edge wears, increase the force by increments of 10 to seal.

❸ The dropdown box selects the Plate Express profile which will be used during
the acquisition.

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Getting Started (TB_PE001_RevA)

❹ Setup the pump for the solvent. It can be an LC pump, SSI pump or any external
pump that delivers the mobile phase. The recommended flow rate is 0.2 mL/min.
❺ During a manual run there are two ways to extract a sample (a) the extraction
icon and/or the (b) external button. Once started the preset time set in the
database timer starts counting. If not interrupted, the extraction will stop once the
timer has counted down the preset time. However, at anytime the user can stop the
extraction by the (a) extraction icon and/or the (b) external button.
To Start extraction

or

(a) Extraction icon (b) Single touch to start

To Stop extraction

or

(a) Extraction icon (b) Second touch to stop

Setup is now complete. Refer to the User’s Manual for details on operation and
troubleshooting guidance.

Advion recommends Merck 1.51022.0001 TLC silica gel 60 F254 MS-grade TLC plates for best
performance of the Plate Express, however many different types of plates from various vendors
can be used successfully with the following limitations:
• Glass and Aluminum backed TLC plates usually provide lower chemical background noise than
plastic backed TLC plates.
• TLC plates containing gypsum in the binding material can not be used with Plate Express. These
plates are sometimes indicated by a G in the plate name e.g. Merck 1.00390.0001 TLC Silica gel
60G F₂₅₄. Always check the exact specifications of your intended TLC plate before use.
• Ensure that the TLC bed layer does not exceed the extraction bed height of the Plate Express
(standard 250 µm).

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