ESI Autosampler

ESI autosampler compatibility is only available with ICP Expert with the Pro feature pack installed.

The installation differs slightly depending on the type of ESI sampler communication method.

Below are basic instructions on the steps required to set up an ESI sampler with ICP Expert software. More detailed information regarding the ESI software operation and configuration can be found in the appropriate ESI installation manual.

The procedure is as follows:

• If necessary, download the latest manuals and software from the ESI website. The following instructions are based on version 2.9 of the ESI software.
• Install the ESI software and hardware as per the instructions provided in the ESI SC installation manual
• Select the ESI autosampler in ICP Expert

Hardware and software installation

To install the ESI autosampler hardware and ESI SC software:

1. Ensure ICP Expert software is closed.
2. Continue with the hardware and software installation for the autosampler as per the SC Emulation and SC Autosampler (via RS-232) instructions in the manual.
   • If you are using RS232 COMs then the instructions are the same, just substitute the RS232 cable and ports for the USB cable and ports where instructed in the manual.
3. Once the ESI SC software has been installed follow the instructions for 'Autosampler Configuration' and 'Autosampler Calibration' as listed in the manual (make note of the 'Instrument COM port' selected in the ESI software).

Selecting the ESI autosampler in ICP Expert

To select the autosampler in ICP Expert:

1. Once the ESI SC software has been installed/configured and the autosampler has been calibrated, launch the ICP Expert software.
2. Click File > Options > General.
3. Select the appropriate ESI sampler model from the 'Autosampler Model' dropdown list. Supported models are the ESI SC-2, SC-4, SC-8, SC-14, and SC-Micro with or without Autodilutor.
4. Select the COM port noted above from the dropdown list under 'Connect to PC port' and click on 'OK'.
5. Check that the rack configuration in ICP Expert matches the rack configuration in the ESI SC software — this must be checked whenever rack types are changed on the sampler, particularly the standards rack(s). Sample rack types configured in ICP Expert should automatically be applied to the ESI software on use of the sampler.

The ICP Expert software should now be communicating with the autosampler via the ESI SC software interface and you should be able to control the sampler from ICP Expert.

For autosamplers other than the Agilent SPS 3 and SPS 4 it is not always possible for ICP Expert to detect when the autosampler has gone out of alignment. Therefore it is not always possible for a run to be stopped in this situation.

Enable ESI FAST Method

To enable the ESI FAST method in ICP Expert:

1. Click File > Options > General.
2. Select the ESI autosampler type used with the ICP-OES from the drop-down menu.
3. Select Enable ESI FAST method.

Any 'FAST' accessory control/methods etc., will need to be configured in the ESI software.

Some autosamplers such as the prepFAST require ‘FAST’ support. In this case, the ‘FAST’ option is always enabled.

See also:

• Autosampler