7 replies to this topic

[joy123]

Hi, does anybody know the inside structure of ABI7300 qPCR machine?

My 96-plate suddenly stuck there (I don't know why), and the drawer cannot be opened. We try to open the machine and take the plate out, but don't know where to start with. I am worried about it, and would appreciate any help from you.

Thanks!

[kaveh]

You have probably fixed this by now...if not, do yourself a favor and let your institute know about this. THese things are super sensitive. Only a company tech should open the hood.

[phage434]

I disagree entirely.  Fixing broken equipment is a skill that needs to be developed, and this is a good opportunity to do it.  I doubt there is much that can be easily broken.  If manufacturers will not make it easy to fix our equipment, then we have to.  Just remember which ones help (and more especially which ones do not help) when it comes time to buy new equipment.  And let them know why you are not choosing theirs.

[kaveh]

I agree that you will benefit form fixing equipments on your own. However, when it comes to real-time PCR and other instruments which have optical sensors, I would rather have an expert to fix it. My concern would be opening the hood would affect the warranty of that equipment.

[tea-test]

We had a similar problem with an ABI StepOnePLus. There was some sensor broken, that was telling the instrument that the door is closed. I also remember that there was a special trick to open the drawer but the StepOnePlus drawer works I think completely different to the 7300. During the instrument booting up the door motor is also moving somehow and during this time period you have to push up (or down) the drawer quite hard. The ABI technician and me, we were both together working quite hard on the machine and we needed more than one attempt until it opened. The StepOne drawer is first moving inside the instrument and then up pressing the plate against the heated lid. With this pushing you are somehow bypassing this (broken) sensor. This is just for information. I would not recommend this to do with the 7300.
I also remember that it took several weeks until they got the spare part from Singapur.

[joy123]

Thanks for your responses! The problem has been solved. I feel so lucky. But next time I would be more cautious about it.

[phage434]

Well, give us a hint about the solution.  Did it involve a large hammer?  For science.

[joy123]

The plate was taken out by opening the machine (I was not there so I don't see the procedure). It must be handled very carefully!

phage434, on 05 July 2012 - 10:39 AM, said:

Well, give us a hint about the solution.  Did it involve a large hammer?  For science.

Edited by joy123, 05 July 2012 - 02:14 PM.