DART X-Z Transmission Module

Assembly Instructions and User Manual

For SVP-3DS-XZ

Version 1.0

IonSense, Inc.

999 Broadway

Suite 404

Saugus, MA 01906

2

This manual details the steps necessary to install and use the

X-Z Transmission Module SVP-3DS-XZ for the DART-SVP.

CONTENTS

HARDWARE .............................................................................................. 3

Key of X-Z Transmission Module Parts ............................................. 3

Lowering the DART-SVP Baseplate ................................................... 4

Assembling the X-Z Transmission Module ........................................ 7

Attaching the X to Z-Rail Mounting Piece .......................................... 9

Securing the X-Z Transmission Module Assembly to the Z-Rail..... 10

Raising the Height of the DART Source ........................................... 13

Attaching the Safety Interlock Piece ................................................. 17

SOFTWARE & FIRMWARE ...................................................................... 19

Linear Rail Settings ........................................................................... 21

Methods .............................................................................................. 22

Troubleshooting ................................................................................. 25

3

Hardware

Key of X-Z Transmission Module Parts

Figure 1: X-Z Transmission Module parts for assembly

1) X-Z Transmission Module Assembly

2) 100mm Linear Rail (Z-Rail)

3) DART-SVP Source (DART-SVP Source Rev 2 ONLY)

4) DART-SVP Cradle (Rev 2 ONLY)

5) Mass Spec Interface

6) DART Source-Cradle Stand-offs

7) DART-to-Interface Bolts and Stand-offs

8) Mesh screen holder

9) X to Z-rail mounting piece

10) 300mm Linear Rail (X-Rail)

1 2 3

5

4 4

6 7

8

9

10

4

Lowering the DART-SVP Baseplate Accommodating the X-Z Transmission Module

The baseplate for both the DART-SVP Rev 1 (SN: SVPS00XXX) and DART-SVP Rev 2 (SN:

SVPS002XX) ion sources must be lowered using the provided standoffs in order to

accommodate sampling across the entire X-Z Transmission Module plate (96 samples total).

These steps outline how to install the standoffs.

Note: If the standoffs are not used, none of the X-Z Transmission DART methods in the

software will run properly.

Turn the DART source upside down on a flat surface. Locate the two screws directly underneath

the front ring. Unscrew the DART-SVP mounting ring from the baseplate using a 5 mm Allen

wrench

Figure 2: The underside of the DART showing the two screws attaching the ring to the cradle

Insert the 2 inch standoffs between the mounting ring and the baseplate. Again using the 5 mm Allen

wrench, reattach the ring to the top of the screws and standoffs.

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Figure 3:Slide the screws through the bottom of the cradle an place the standoffs over the screws.

Figure 4:Reattach the ring to the new screws.

Lowering the baseplate on DART-SVP Rev 2 sources:

Unscrew the DART-SVP source from the baseplate to lighten the weight on the baseplate

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Figure 5: The DART-SVP source (left) detached from the baseplate (right)

Place the long 5 mm hex head bolts through the holes on the bottom of the base and slide the

standoffs over them

Figure 6A and 6B: The baseplate with screws inserted (left) and with the standoffs installed (right)

Secure the baseplate to the bottom of the VAPUR flange by tightening the long 5 mm bolts

Figure 7: The DART-SVP baseplate attached to an interface flange, with standoffs installed

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Assembling the X-Z Transmission Module

DART-SVP Source Rev 1: (SN: SVPS00XXX)

Figure 8: Placing the X-Rail into the Cradle

Using the 3 mm Allen wrench, remove the three screws that attach the X-cradle to the base of the

DART-SVP. Take the X-Rail and slide the non-motor end (end opposite the cable) into the

cradle, making sure that the front of the stage faces the screw holes.

Reference the Hardware and Network Installation Manual v2 manual to determine the exact

placement of the rail in the cradle as this procedure depends on the version and revision of the

rail.

Using the 1.5 mm Allen wrench, lock the rail into position by tightening the two set screws on

the front of the cradle. Once the rail is placed back into the DART baseplate these set screws

will be inaccessible.

Figure 9: Tighten the set screws to lock the X-Rail into position

Front of Stage Facing away

from MS/Towards Cradle Screws

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Figure 10: Secure the X-Rail assembly to the DART-SVP Rev 1 base with the 3 mm Allen wrench

DART-SVP Source Rev 2: (SN: SVPS002XX)

The DART-SVP Rev 2 ion source pictured below has an X-Rail Cradle, but it is not removable from the

source baseplate. Simply slide the linear rail directly into the cradle on the baseplate and using the 1.5

mm Allen wrench lock it into place with the two set screws.

Figure 11: DART-SVP Source Rev 2 with X-Rail Cradle built into the source baseplate

As with the DART-SVP Rev 1 source, reference the Hardware and Network Installation Manual v2 to

determine the exact placement of the X-Rail in the cradle.

9

Attaching the X to Z-Rail Mounting Piece

Place the X-Z mounting block on the front of the X-Rail stage as pictured below. Using four 3

mm screws and the 2.5 mm Allen wrench loosely secure the mounting block onto the X-Rail

stage.

Figure 12A: X-rail stage without mounting block attached

Proper orientation of the X-Z mounting block with dowel pin on bottom and holes lined up with the front

of the rail stage

Figure 12B: Partially tighten the four 2.5 mm Allen head screws

Completely tighten the two 1.5 mm set screws on the right side of the X-Z mounting block to

square the alignment of the block and then finish tightening the four 2.5 mm screws on the front

of the X-Z mounting block to fully secure the mounting block.

Figure 13C: Completely tighten the two 1.5 mm Allen head set screws

10

Securing the X-Z Transmission Module

Assembly to the Z-Rail

Set aside the Z-Rail (“short” or 100mm linear rail) and the X-Z transmission module assembly.

Place the Z-rail on a flat surface so that the front of the stage is facing you (as shown in Figure

9A) and place the X-Z transmission module assembly over the stage with the plate-holder

protruding towards you. Tighten the four screws halfway, so that the module is loosely attached.

Figure 14A: The Z-rail (shown in a “right hand” configuration)

Figure 14B. Tighten the four 3 mm Allen head screws halfway.

Once the module is secured to the block, take a 1.5mm Allen wrench and tighten the two set screws on

the back of the module. This will fix the position of the module and help keep the sample plate level.

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Figure 15: Using the 1.5 mm Allen wrench, tighten the two set screws on the back of the module

Figure 16: The X-Z transmission module successfully attached to the Z-Rail

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To attach the Z-Rail to the X-Z Mounting Block slide the non-motor end of the rail into the

cradle until it rests against the dowel pin. Using the 1.5mm Allen wrench, tighten the two Allen

head set screws to lock the Z-Rail in place.

Figure 17: Installing the Z-Rail into the X-Z Mounting Block:

Figure 18: Tighten the two 1.5 mm Allen head set screws

13

Raising the Height of the DART Source

DART-SVP Source Rev 1:

To accommodate the full 96-well XZ mesh screen and keep the DART source’s alignment with

the VAPUR tube, the height of the DART must be increased relative to the base. This is

straightforward with the Revision 1 source, but requires a minor hardware change with the

Revision 2 source.

DART-SVP Source Rev 1: Raise the Z height of the DART-SVP Rev 1 source so that the exit of the

DART source is in line with the ceramic inlet tube on the VAPUR interface.

Loosen the knobs on the back of both of the support columns, gently pick up the DART source,

and lock it in the desired position by tightening the same two knobs.

Figure 19: The DART-SVP Rev 1 source is raised up to align the source exit with the ceramic

inlet tube on the VAPUR interface

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Figure 20: The X-Z Transmission Module attached to the DART-SVP Rev 1 source on a Thermo

EXACTIVE Mass Spectrometer

15

DART-SVP Source Rev 2: Attach the standoffs and washers to the bottom of the DART-SVP Rev 2 source

Remove the blue DART source from the cradle and place it upside-down on a table. Take a

Phillips-head screwdriver and remove the four screws holding the mounting plate to the DART.

Take the plate and screws off.

Figure 21: The bottom of the DART source with mounting plate and screws pictured

Take the washers and place them over the screwholes, then take the standoffs and screw them

into the washers and screw holes. Do this for all four screwholes.

Figure 22A and 22B: The washer placed over one of the screw holes; and the double standoff

inserted through the washer and into the screwhole.

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Re-attach the mounting plate to the standoffs using the same four screws previously removed.

Place the DART source back onto the cradle and lock it in place by turning the silver knob until

tight.

Figure 23: Attach the mounting plate to the standoffs using the same four screws.

Figure 24: The DART-SVP Rev 2 source is raised up to align the source exit with the ceramic

inlet tube on the VAPUR interface

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Attaching the Safety Interlock Piece Installation of an extra interlock piece is required to prevent accidental damage to the DART unit

while using the X-Z scanner. The piece contains a magnet that limits the travel distance of the

X-rail and prevents the X-Z transmission module from striking the DART source or ceramic cap.

Figure 25: The safety interlock piece. Note the magnet protruding from the upper-right corner of the

piece.

Place the piece on the rail so that the magnet faces towards the mass spectrometer, as pictured

below. Secure it in place to the stage with the four screws provided (circled in red in Figure 26)

and tighten with a 2.5 mm Allen wrench.

Figure 26: Top view of the safety interlock piece, facing outwards from the mass spectrometer. Note the

positioning of the magnet (circled in yellow)

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Figure 27: The X-Z Transmission Module attached to the DART-SVP Rev 2 source

Insert the longer ceramic tube into the VAPUR inlet, taking care to leave a 2 mm gap between

the end of the ceramic tube and the API inlet. Refer to the specific VAPUR Flange Manual for

the mass spectrometer that the DART-SVP is being installed on for more details.

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Software & Firmware

In the DART-SVP software, go to the About page found on the Settings

tab to check the DART-SVP software and firmware versions to see if the

recommended versions are loaded.

Recommended Software and Firmware versions for

X-Z Transmission Module set-up:

Software version 3.2.2 or higher

Firmware version 2.2.7 or higher

Image 1: DART-SVP “About” page on “Settings” tab

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The most up to date version of software can be downloaded from the IonSense website at this

address: http://www.ionsense.com/software

If the software needs to be updated then download the file from the IonSense website and

reference the DART Software Manual v3 for instructions on how to perform the update. A

printed version of this software manual comes with each DART system, or can be accessed here:

http://www.ionsense.com/manuals

Web Software: Page 19

iPod Software: Page 20

If your firmware is not up to date, please contact IonSense for support, as this cannot be

upgraded by the user.

21

Linear Rail Settings

The linear rails must be set to the proper side in order for the methods to execute properly. To

check the current linear rail parameters, click on the Settings tab; open both Linear Rail #1 (X)

and Linear Rail #2 (Y).

note: Linear Rail #2 is your Z rail, but the software calls it the Y rail.

A left handed set-up should have “Left” selected for both Motor Location and Sample

Direction for the X-Rail and the short Z-Rail should have “Right” selected for the Motor

Location.

A right handed set-up should have “Right” selected for both Motor Location and Sample

Direction for the X-Rail and the short Z-Rail should have “Left” selected for the Motor

Location.

Below are the correct settings for a left handed rail set-up.

22

Methods

Once the settings are confirmed, select the Methods tab at the bottom of the software screen.

There will be several methods available for the X-Z Transmission Module called X-Z Temp

Profile and X-Z Transmission Survey (A-H. The X-Z methods are not among the default DART

methods and need to be added to the method list. To add an X-Z method, click on the “Add”

button in the upper right corner of the Methods page and select the desired method.

NOTE: For further details reference page 8 of the Software Manual v3.

X-Z Temp Profile

Determine compound dependent optimal DART temperature at a fixed linear rail speed.

Four heater temperatures can be examined per row.

X-Z Transmission Survey (A-H)

Survey of up to 96 samples at a single optimized DART temperature, fixed sampling time

and linear rail speed. The letter specified is the row at which the method starts. At the

start of each row, a contact closure signal is sent, allowing for 12 samples per data file.

Once the method is loaded, click Start to begin the method, or Edit to change the various

parameters. The X-Z method parameters are described in more detail on the following pages.

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X-Z Temp Profile This method runs 8 samples per row at 4 temperatures (2 samples each). Every 3

rd sample should

be left blank to allow for the heater to change temperature. Note that the maximum heater

temperature is 500°C and the method will stop with an error if it attempts to increment beyond

this limit. Ensure that Start Temperature + 3 x Increment By <= 500°C

Sample Count

The number of samples that will be run, starting from position A1.

Ion Mode

Ion mode can be set to positive or negative.

Start Temperature

The temperature for the first set of samples.

The heater will subsequently heat up by the

“Increment By” amount.

Scan Speed

The speed of the X-rail when moving from

sample to sample across the plate.

Gap Time

The amount of time spent sitting between the

samples to give some temporal resolution in

the chromatogram.

Sample Time

The amount of time that the sample is held

directly in the DART ionization region.

Shutdown State

The system can be kept in run or standby

mode for repeated use or automatically shut

down at the end of the analytical run.

Standby Temperature

If the system is kept in run or standby mode,

this temperature will be maintained. It should

be a little less than the start temperature.

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X-Z Transmission Survey A-H The method starts at the row indicated by the letter at the end of the name.

Sample Count

Number of samples that will be run. You can have up to 96 samples with row A, 84 with

row B, 72 with row C, etc.

Ion Mode

Ion mode can be set to positive or negative.

Start Temperature

The set temperature for the DART heater.

Wait Time

The desired amount of time at the beginning

of each run to allow for the ionization gas

flow and temperature to stabilize. A

minimum of 30 seconds is recommended.

Scan Speed

The speed of the X-rail when moving from

sample to sample across the plate.

Gap Time

The amount of time spent sitting between the

samples to give some temporal resolution in

the chromatogram.

Sample Time

The amount of time that the sample is held

directly in the DART ionization region.

Shutdown State

The system can be kept in run or standby

mode for repeated use or automatically shut

down at the end of the analytical run.

Standby Temperature

If the system is kept in run or standby mode, this temperature will be maintained. It

should be a little less than the start temperature.

25

Troubleshooting

If the methods do no run correctly with respect to alignment of the sampling areas on X-Z

Transmission Module mesh screen holder and the exit of the DART source please read the

following statements.

Please check that the limit positions for both the X and Z rails are correct. The measurements

are taken from the edge of the linear rail carriage to either the end of the motor for the “Home”

switch position or to the end of the linear rail for the “Limit” switch position.

Refer to page 13 in the DART-SVP Hardware and Network Installation Manual for a visual

explanation of this measurement.

X-Rail Measurements - "Home" switch: 56 mm

- "Limit" switch: 134.5 mm

Z-Rail Measurements - "Home" switch: 56 mm

- "Limit" switch: 27 mm