Diagnosable remotely - YES
Fixable remotely - NO
Newer CPS instruments have a Dynamic Balancing Module (DBM) which actively monitors the balance of the disc on the motor once the spin speed reaches 6,000 RPM or higher.
The software should flash up a warning message if the imbalance is too high, for too long, above a certain speed. If this occurs, the system should be shut down once the active measurement is completed and await re-balancing.
Getting the balance perfect only has high importance at high speeds, above 20k RPM for example. If customers only run at low-medium speeds, it is not at all critical and will not impact the lifespan of the instrument.
Before any site visits are booked, customers should be encouraged to thoroughly clean the disc first, paying particular attention to any "chunks" of crystallised sucrose present, either inside the disc or spatter on the outside. If the disc is perfectly clean when the balance message appears, re-balancing should be carried out.
Customers should not perform re-balancing themselves, only trained Analytik engineers should do this.
SOLUTION
An engineer must go to site to carry out re-balancing of the disc. The procedure is exactly the same as that carried out on a PM service.
- Clean the disc thoroughly.
- Activate the service mode in the software (maintenance1.txt) etc.
- Assess the balance at 12, 15, 18, 21, 24k RPM with 15ml water in the disc.
- Make changes to the balance using the data collected - copper wires into the relevant cavities on the disc face.
- Ensure to run for at least 60mins before making balance changes at 24k RPM.