18596A Autosampler Tray question (disassembly-related)

[chemwipe]

I ran the diagnostics on this tray, and I need to remove the right side of the arm...I took the screws out, but it won't come apart. Do I just work it until it separates? I don't to break it.

Where I'm pointing is where it seems to be coming apart, but it won't separate at the backside.


Thanks in advance!

John

[AICMM]

Chemwipe,

Flip the tray over. Look for a hole in the tray. Align the hole in the tray with one end of the arm and loosen the screw that holds the plate over the two rods. Turn the plate so it is no longer pinning the arm to the rods. Then do the same thing for the other end of the arm. The arm should lift off at that point. Be aware of flat cables inside the arm, you don't want to break them.

Better yet, send it to a repair shop. Not trying to be obnoxious, I have had very poor luck with the trays. I can recommend someone (I don't do it) who I think is very reasonable if you want to contact me: aicmm at flash.net

Best regards.

[Ron]

The tray is pretty complex, and years ago not all HP service reps were certified to repair trays. This is probably better sent out to a professional.

[chemwipe]

The tray is pretty complex, and years ago not all HP service reps were certified to repair trays. This is probably better sent out to a professional.

Ron-

I was referencing this manual:

http://www.chem.agilent.com/Library/Sup ... A16006.pdf

and I have a gripper axis error (according to the 5 red LED flashes on the control box) and it suggests checking the gripper motion, gripper motor, gripper sensor, and tray firmware.

I guess I was assuming that since that information was available, then it could be easily done, i.e. unscrew that, pop that off, check it, put it back together, and bam! you're done.

Am I in over my head on this?

John

[Consumer Products Guy]

I've taken two apart, a few years ago. If I remember correctly, one must remove the arm from the tray first, there are screws underneath, somewhat difficult to access, be creative. Our problem (twice) was that a plastic piece upon which a spring's end rested had broken. Each time I simply moved the spring end so that the horizonal "case half" screw would then be the stop, then put it back together.

When I get to work I'll see what Agilent has provided to me, I remember speaking directly to a bench autosampler repair guy about 8 years ago and making notes. And looking at one of ours may remind me.

[chemwipe]

Thanks, guys - I got the right side of the arm off:



But the diagnostics mode is still saying that the gripper/motor/sensor is obstructed. I got this off the bay, and I thought I'd basically plug and play. Not so, though. I don't think I should have to check the motor/sensor/arm, especially when the buyer said that it was working.

John