Hello everyone!
I would like to ask you about the reasons for autosampler break.
The previous day, I used the LCMS machine and I did not put a sample in the rack at which the autosampler came and can not take any sample, but at that time, I noticed the needle did not go down, so the break can not happen. When I finished my work, the system was still fine.
Four days later, I came back and turned on the LC system, but not yet activated the LCMS on the software. After 1 minute, the light on the autosampler part turned red and I could see the needle was bending. When the engineer came, he said that both needle and sample transport parts were broken. I checked the history on the software but nobody used the machine except me on that day.
I could not understand the reason why it happened just by turning on the LC system. If you have any experience on this case, could you please help me?
Thank you very much!
There are many reasons why an Autoinjector NEEDLE may be bent during operation.
Here are a few reasons why the needle may be bent at 90 degrees on an AutoInjector:
- At power-on, the Autosampler and injector should go through a routine calibration and position verification test. If it fails the initial test, then the instrument log will record the type of error. Refer to the instrument manual for more information regarding the failure type and what steps to take to resolve it.
- The sample vial has a solid cap on it instead of one with a soft septum (I have seen this so many times!).
- The needle is worn out ("Needles" should last several years, but in all cases the metal weakens over time, requiring replacement as normal maintenance).
- The Needle itself has been misaligned when installed and/or damaged (bent) during use. *Re-align the needle to the seat per the manufacturer's procedure and evaluate for proper centering.
- One or more of the sampler trays are misaligned. Check the position and fit of all trays.
- The Transport mechanism is loose, misaligned or worn-out. A worn belt drive, dirty optical sensor or worn actuator motor may result in poor position alignment. *All transports wear out and must be replaced at some point.
- The Transport Calibration is out-of-specification. Re-align the transport using the manufacturer's procedure and re-check operation.
Please contact someone with professional experience in maintaining and servicing the specific instrument you have to assist you in troubleshooting AND/OR contact the instrument vendor's service dept.
Chau Phuong Bui: You did not provide any information regarding the make, model and type of instrument or autosampler in your initial post. When new users such as yourself post general questions such as this one, please take the time to first include such basic information in your post. There are several hundred different types of autoinjectors and samplers on the market and many operate and function differently. Also, please share with us the specific instrument errors recorded in the instrument software for the failure noted.
@William already gave a long list of possible reasons how an autoinjector needle may bent. One possible reason could also be that an autosampler is trying to use a false tray. Please check that a right tray is configured. Have seen that kind of problem happened to a sampler of an old Waters 2695 HPLC system. After a power outage it used a default tray type (different than the used one) and needle hit to the wrong position .
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