Chromatography Forum

Hello Lab Buddies,

I have a newbie question here regarding Millinium 32 software and controlling our Water's HPLC system. We have Version 3.2 (1990's vintage) and have it loaded on an NT workstation...not that this matters.

I can start and run a set of samples but I can't figure out how to stop the sequence so that the lamp (UV) turns off and the pump stops. Rather annoying software BTW and I looked at all the panels and sequence editor but can't figure this simple task out. There are panels that show you can program the method to turn off the lamp etc. but no way of inserting the method in the sequence. Its not working for me.

The autosampler is a 717, with a 600 series pump and a 486 UV detector.

Thanks Timothy

I don't know (anymore) if the "shutdown-method" feature was already in Millenium, but nevertheless it's possible.

1) create an instrument method where you programm the desired "shutdown" conditions.
-- for the detector: programm a time event for "lamp off" and don't forget to tick the checkbox called "enable events" (it's on another tab)
-- for the pump: set the flow rate to "0", or even better, make a gradient programm for column flushing and changing the solvent to 100% organic. as last step, instead of changing the solvent comp, just set flow rate to "0" (make sure the minimum pressure is set to 0, for not getting an "under pressure" error when you stop the flow)

2a) this instrument method could directly be selected in the "shutdown method" box, which appears when you start the sample set. The shutdown method will be executed if an error in sequence occurs or if no further injections are programmed

2b) make a method set where you only select the above instrument method
include this in the sequence with the function "conditioning column" and set a run time which is less than the time programmed for the lamp off event.

Something you used to be able to do with some Waters HPLCs was to set a method longer than the run time and it shuts itself down. For example, if you have a 10min run, you can set the pump propgram to run at the initial rate, then at 15min go to low flow. As the dsequence runs, every 10mins (one injection) it restarts the timer, so only after the last injection does it run on long enough to reach the 15min event. So you'd have to program the various modelues with the shutdown parameters you require. Maybe your LC can do this?