HPTLC PRO Module

Aside from double clicking LMB on the module in the Instruments Toolbox, it is possible to open the details view of a HPTLC PRO Module by double clicking LMB on:

Properties tab

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The tab displays the following information:

  • Like for other instruments, some high-level information about the instrument (serial number and firmware version)

  • An Instrument properties section allows to configure and retrieve the instrument log stored in the Instrument’s internal memory.

    Each HPTLC PRO Module has its own log file, stored directly in the internal memory of the instrument. There are 2 possibilities to get the contents of this log:

    • Use the Get instrument logs button to get the log contents directly.

    • Activate the Synchronized Logging mode. In this mode, the HPTLC PRO Modules send immediately each log message to the connected host (HPTLC PRO instrument service) which, in turn, writes the log message contents in a dedicated log file.

      • Pros:

        • With the synchronized logging, much more logs are stored, because the size of the log file in the internal memory of the instrument is small

        • With the synchronized logging, each message log gets a timestamp, whereas the HPTLC PRO Modules don’t have this function (they can only count the number of milliseconds elapsed since the instrument was started)

      • Cons:

        • Synchronized logging only works when the instrument is connected and initialized. Therefore, it cannot be used to troubleshoot initialization problems.

  • The Consumables values of the instrument (see Consumables validation).

Note

The HPTLC PRO Module PLATE STORAGE does not have any consumable. The Properties tab displays the status of the stackers and allows to configure the tube length (related to the fans’ power rates).

Manual control tab

Like other instruments, the Manual Control tab gives access to special instrument commands. Refer to the instruction manual of each HPTLC PRO Module for more details.

HPTLC PRO Module PLATE STORAGE

The HPTLC PRO Module PLATE STORAGE does not provide any manual control operation.

HPTLC PRO Module APPLICATION

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  • Priming

  • Cleaning

  • Syringe-related manual control operations. Concerning the Syringe replacement and the Syringe cleaning operations, a wizard will guide you through the process. Notably, the Syringe replacement will ask for the serial number of the new syringe:

    ../../../_images/proAppSyringe.png

  • Fluidic draining

HPTLC PRO Module DEVELOPMENT

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  • Priming

  • Solvent pump power evaluation

  • Cleaning

  • Chamber drying

Diagnostics tab

visionCATS provides instrument diagnostics for HPTLC PRO Modules, like for HPTLC instruments (see Instrument diagnostics):

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Provided that all HPTLC PRO Modules are built on the same platform, they all have a conveyor and (except for the HPTLC PRO Module PLATE STORAGE) a feeder. Therefore, Basic tests and a part of Conveyor/feeder tests are the same for all HPTLC PRO Modules.

Note

The HPTLC PRO SYSTEM itself also has a dedicated diagnostics tab. See Diagnostics tab.

Operations tab

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The Operations tab displays information and counters stored on the HPTLC PRO Module itself and is therefore useful for service purposes and to follow the state of the instrument over the time:

  • The Service notes section contains up to 10 service messages. Messages are characterized by a timestamp and a simple text, and can be entered by a service person. Service notes can be typically used to document a hardware change on the instrument.

  • The Indicators section details the different counters available. Some counters, such as System on time, are regularly updated (currently every 10 minutes) while others, such as Door opened correspond to an event and are updated immediately.

Firmware tab

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The Firmware tab is mainly used to perform firmware upgrades.

The General instrument information panel details advanced versioning information of the currently connected HPTLC PRO Module.

The main Firmware upgrade part enable firmware upgrade within visionCATS by offering the 2 main options:

  • The Regular update option used to install a version provided directly by visionCATS. Indeed, visionCATS includes the latest firmware for each HPTLC PRO Module. This way, it is possible to upgrade the firmware of HPTLC PRO Modules after installing a new version of visionCATS.

  • In case of new firmware versions coming between two visionCATS releases, for example to include corrections, the Manual update option allows the user to specify the .dfu file directly.

The Backup memory and Continue on memory backup failure options provide an additional security to be able to recover from errors during firmware upgrade. When Backup memory is checked, the firmware update procedure will first perform a full backup of the contents of the memory and save it in the RomBackup folder inside the installation folder. If something goes wrong during the update, please contact CAMAG Support to revert back to the old firmware manually and restore the backup.

During the firmware upgrade, visionCATS switches the module in USB’s Dfu mode. The window shows the progress and the procedure waits for the device to come back in App mode.