PLTconnect

PLT unit software

F I R S T C L A S S · B R A N D

Operating Manual
BRAND® is a trademark of BRAND GMBH + CO KG, Germany.
Microsoft®, MS-Windows® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corpo-
ration, USA.

Insofar as brand names or protected terms, symbols or representations belonging

to other owners are used in this publication, they are used exclusively for refe-
rence purposes and without any claim of right. Brand names reproduced are the
property of the respective owner.
 Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Introduction 4

1.1. PLT unit 4

1.2. PLTconnect 4

2. Software installation 5

2.1. System requirements 5

2.2. Rights 5

2.3. Preparations for installation 5

2.4. Installing PLTconnect 5

3. Connecting the PLT unit to the PC 6

4. Start the program 7

4.1. Connecting the device 7

4.2. User settings 8

5. Using the program 9

5.1. Creating pipettes 9

5.2. Carrying out testing 10

5.3. Filter function 12

5.4. Import/export data 13

5.5. Self-test 13

3
 1. Introduction

Before using the PLTconnect software, please read through these operating instruc-
tions as well as the instructions for the PLT unit carefully.

1.1 PLT unit

According to monitoring of measuring instruments, air-displacement pipettes must be

checked at regular intervals and the results must be compared with the ISO 8655-2
error limits.

However, a calibration certificate only reflects the results at the time of testing. The
time between these calibrations is crucial, since leaks can occur at any time.

Well over 80% of pipettes sent in for repair have leaks and are outside their volume
tolerances, even if they don’t drip.

The most common cause for the lack of accuracy in piston-stroke pipettes is system
leaks.

Leaks arise through damage to the seals, pistons or tip sampling cones. Often invisible
to the eye, these faults can lead to significant volumetric errors.

The PLT unit from BRAND, the leak-checking device for air cushion pipettes, detects
the smallest of leaks in seconds!

1.2 PLTconnect

The PLT unit software, also known as PLTconnect, is a program for facilitating the
documentation of leak checks carried out with the PLT unit from BRAND. The test
results are transferred from the PLT unit into the program by means of automatic mea-
sured value transmission. The result is displayed as a test certificate and saved in the
program. Documentation of your test results is made significantly easier.

The program supports leak checking with and without tips as well as static and dyna-
mic measurements.

Master data and limit values for standard single-channel and multi-channel pipettes in
volumetric ranges from 1 μl to 10 ml are already stored in the program for your use.
Testing is independent of the device manufacturer. You can also easily create new
devices.

4
 2. Software installation

2.1 System requirements

In order to be able to use the operating software, your PC or Laptop must meet the
following minimum system requirements:

- Windows® XP (Service Pack 3)

- Windows® Vista 32-Bit und 64-Bit (Service Pack 2)

- Windows® 7 32-Bit und 64-Bit

Additionally required:

- CD-ROM drive

- USB 2.0 interface

- Microsoft® Installer 3.1

- Windows® NET-Framework Version 4

These programs are generally already contained in the aforementioned operating sys-
tems. If necessary, you can download the current versions from Microsoft®.

2.2 Rights

You require software installation rights and the necessary write rights for your PC. If
you do not have these rights, please contact your system administrator.

2.3 Preparations for installation

If there is an older version of the PLT unit software already installed on your PC, this
should be uninstalled first. To do so, click on:

Control Panel a Programs a Programs and functions

Then click on Uninstall for the “PLT connect” entry. Then follow the instructions on the
screen. The program will now be deleted. Any log data already existing on your system
will be retained after the uninstall process.

2.4 Installing PLTconnect

Place the CD-ROM in the drive. Then open the “English” folder and the “PLTconnect”
folder on the CD. Start “setup.exe” and follow the setup assistant.

If you accept the standard settings, the program is installed in C: \Program Files(x86)\
BRAND\PLTconnect. After the installation has been successfully completed, the icon
to start the program can be found on the desktop.

The operating instructions can likewise be found in the “English” folder.

5
 3. Connecting the PLT unit to the PC

Connect the PLT unit to a mains socket with the mains adapter.

Then connect the PLT unit to a USB 2.0 port on the computer with a connection cable.

6
 4. Start the program

Start the PLTconnect program by double-clicking on the BRAND PLTconnect icon or

the desktop, or from the START menu, via
START a All Programs a BRAND a PLTconnect.

4.1 Connecting the device

After starting, the program automatically interfaces with a connected device. If this is
successful, “Ready!” is displayed in the lower left status bar. If the connection to the
PLT unit failed, a fault message will be displayed instead.

In order to establish a connection with the device manually, please click on

File a Connect To PLT unit.

7
 4. Start the program

4.2. User settings

The user is shown in the bottom right corner of the user interface.

To create a new user, please click on

Manage a Test Operators.

A new tester can be created in the “Manage Test Operators” window or an existing
tester can be sought, removed or edited.

To change users, please click on

File a Switch User.

You can select a user name from the window that opens and confirm this by clicking
on Accept.

8
 5. Using the program

5.1 Creating pipettes

To create a new pipette, please click on the New pipette button on the Pipette se-
lection tab.

Alternatively, you can also select

File a Add New Pipette.

Then follow the instructions from the assistant.

You can filter, insert, remove or change the device types stored in the system under
Manage a Device Types.

9
 5. Using the program

5.2 Carrying out testing

To carry out a test, first click on the New test button on the Pipette selection tab or
select File a Add New Test.

The “Carry out a new test” assistant opens. Please follow the instructions from the
assistant.

In the “Setting Up The Test” window, you can determine whether a static or dynamic
test is to be carried out and whether it is to be carried out with or without tip installed.
The settings will be automatically passed on to the PLT unit.

The measurement is started by pressing the left button on the PLT unit.

Then, the result can be transferred to the PC by pressing the right button on the PLT
unit.

Please tick the “Show Test Certificate” checkbox to display the test certificate. Then
you can complete the testing.

10
5. Using the program

11
 5. Using the program

5.3. Filter function

You can select pipettes already stored in the system via defined criteria in the “1.
Pipette Search Filter” field in the Pipette Selection tab. These are listed in the “2.
Pipette List” field.

The details of a pipette selected in field 2 are displayed in the “3. Pipette Details” field
and “4. Information” field. To create or expand a description, enter the desired infor-
mation into the “4. Information” field and then click on Save.

Corresponding field breakdowns and filter functions for displaying tests already carried
out can be found in the Tests tab. You can display and print the test certificates here
by clicking on the Certificate button.

12
 5. Using the program

5.4. Import/export data

To import existing data sets, please click on:

File a Database Archive a Import From File.
and select the corresponding file from the dialog window that opens.

To export datasets, please click on

File a Database archive a Export To File.

5.5. Self-test

The self-test is used to detect any leaks in the BRAND PLT unit itself.

There are two different tests available. The quick test takes approx. 2 minutes and
should be carried out daily. The full test takes approx. 12 minutes. It includes the addi-
tional differentiated testing of the internal tanks and should be carried out weekly.

You can choose between the two tests under PLT unit a Self Test.
The appropriate assistant opens. Please follow the instructions from the assistant.

After the test is complete, the test certificate opens.

13
1015