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9 –
Driving the Manipulator
The Manipulator can be controlled by 3 methods; most commonly by using the
ACC (Axis Control Cube), a Joystick or by computer control.
ACC Control
A manipulator axis is moved be rotating a wheel on the ACC; the blue wheel
moves the left and right axis (X), green moves front and back (Y) and red the
vertical axis (Z). The manipulators can be driven in two speed ranges fast for
course positioning or slow speed for fine control. The speed range is selected
using the toggle switch on the top of the ACC.
Virtual approach axis
The PatchStar has the ability to be driven in a virtual 4
th
“approach” axis as
opposed to 3 orthogonal axes. This is used to approach the sample on the axis of
the pipette. There is a rotary sensor embedded in the vertical rotary stage. When
the rotation plate is moved, the angle of the plate is measured. When the
approach axis is activated the X wheel will now drive the Z and X axis stages
proportionally so that they precisely follow the angle of the front rotation plate.
The approach axis is activated using the toggle switch on the top left corner of
the ACC I turns compound approach on and O turns it off.
Step
Momentarily pressing the Step button causes the manipulator to advance by the
amount set in the “Set Step Size After Home In” setting within the LinLab software.
If Approach is set to (I) the step will be made in the compound axis, otherwise the
step will be in Z only. This value can be set from ±1µm to 10mm in 1µm steps.
