Setup of LabNEXT Washing / Drying Module

LabNEXT washing / drying unit consists of two chambers – washing and drying encapsulated in a single body. The washing chamber filled with washing liquid, usually water or 10% ethanol. In order to provide circulation of the washing liquid the washing chamber has two fittings used to connect IN and OUT pipes. The lower pipe used for feeding the chamber with clean liquid and the higher pipe is for removing the liquid from the chamber. The height of the OUT pipe limits the level of liquid in the washing chamber. There are two ways of feeding the washing chamber with the liquid and removing used liquid from it.

1. Free Flow Feeding from a reservoir that places higher than the level of liquid in the washing chamber. In this case the IN tube connects to the reservoir and the OUT tube to vacuum outlet. Vacuum is used for removing used liquid from the chamber. The flow control valve intended for adjusting the flow of the liquid from the reservoir and prevent excessive flow that can cause overflow of the chamber. The flow of the liquid may vary depend on the height the reservoir is installed. In order to prevent washing chamber from overflowing the vacuum power must be sufficient to consume amount of water that comes form the water reservoir. The cut-off valve used to shut-off feeding of the chamber with the washing liquid without changing settings of the flow control valve. Shut down the washing liquid first and only after that turn off the vacuum source.

(When starting operations first turn on the vacuum and then allow the washing liquid to run into the chamber).

2. Pump Feeding with a two contour (two head) peristaltic pump. In this mode one contour is used for feeding the washing chamber with clean washing liquid from the reservoir. It mast be connected to the lower IN fitting. The second contour connecter to the OUT fitting used for removing the liquid from the chamber. In order to prevent the chamber form overflowing the OUT flow must exceed the IN flow. This can be reached either by using peristaltic heads with different diameters of the tubes or by using the flow control valve with the IN tube.

Drying of the printing needles performed in the drying chamber with vacuum. Regardless of the installation type the drying chamber must be connected to the vacuum outlet. It is recommended using a vacuum catcher to prevent liquid particles from reaching the vacuum system and avoid its contamination.