EASY-nLC™ 1200 System

The EASY-nLC combines simplicity and high-throughput capacity in a nano-flow UHPLC with a pressure rating of 1200 bar, here is a link to Thermo's website if you wish to learn more: EASY-nLC™ 1200 System

  • EASY-nLC 1 (LC-030755 / UW tag 2033411), Installed 10/16/2018
    MasterKey: d01ZhUfrREe9XOaH
  • EASY-nLC 2 (LC-030757 / UW tag 2033412), Installed 10/19/2018
    MasterKey: M0yI2sgti5yDw6vI
  • EASY-nLC 3 (LC-030758 / UW tag 2033413), Installed 10/19/2018
    MasterKey: zBh7kbe82Wl8IQEU
  • EASY-nLC 4 (LC-031111 / UW tag 2033416), Installed 12/15/2020
    MasterKey: KZSF7nwD2Q30KCl+
  • EASY-nLC 5 (LC-031112 / UW tag 2033417), Installed 12/15/2020
    MasterKey: REEkEDaHVr6P2WiP
  • EASY-nLC 6 (LC-031113 / UW tag 2033418), Installed 12/15/2020
    MasterKey: Eh0p+iwjW5reU6Iz
  • EASY-nLC 7 (LC-031114 / UW tag 2033419), Installed 12/15/2020
    MasterKey: Z8CaplMxt0ImZkfm

Virtual Display

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The EASY-nLC can be controlled directly via the-built in touchscreen. You can also setup the virtual display on the pc so it can be controlled from the pc, this is particularly useful if you wish to remotely control the system.

How to restart the virtual display (e.g. after rebooting the PC):
Detailed guide how to restart the virtual display (pdf)

  • Open "Instrument Configuration", select the EASYnLC and Configure
  • Test Connection and select the plate installed and click ok and done.



  • Open Putty by double clicking on "putty.exe" located on the desktop
  • Under Sessions/Saved Sessions select "EASYnLC" and click "Load" and then "Open"
  • login as: hplc
  • Password: hplchplc
  • use the up arrow to reload the last command or type: x11vnc -q -display :0
    after hitting enter you should see this:



  • If you don't see that type this alternate command (EASY-nLC 7 (LC-031114)): x11vnc -env FD_XDM=1 -auth guess

  • Open "TightVNC Viewer" located on the desktop
  • In the "TightVNC Server" field type: localhost::5901
  • then hit "connect" to open the virtual display of the EASY-nLC touchscreen



    Initial setup of Putty and the virtual display (e.g. on a new PC):
    Guide how to initially setup the virtual display (pdf)

Switch between Trapping and No-trapping mode

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Detailed guide how to switch between trapping and no-trapping mode see pdf

  • Looking at the EASY-nLC home page you can see if the system is in trapping or no-trapping mode. It either displays the trap before the analytical column or not.
  • To switch the trapping mode, click on the Maintenance/Devices/EAY-nLC [HPLC]/Properties
  • To select no-trap mode check the box next to “One column setup”
  • To select trapping mode, uncheck the next to “One column setup”
  • Hit “Apply” and accept the popup confirmation window



  • Now make sure the plumbing is setup correctly
  • In trap mode put a trap column in front of the analytical column
  • In no-trap mode replace the trap column with an empty fused silica


  • Now make sure the sample loading in the method is setup correctly
  • For no-trap mode we recommend loading at lower flowrates e.g. 0.3 µl/min, or set the max pressure instead e.g. 150-200 bar
  • the loading volume should be: 2 x sample volume + 2µl
  • But always use a minimum of 6 µl (1-2 µl of sample volume)
  • e.g. if you load 4 µl of sample: 2 x 4 µl + 2 µl = 10 µl

  • For trap mode you can load at higher flowrates e.g. 2.5 µl, or set the max pressure instead e.g. 150-200 bar
  • the loading volume should be: 2 x sample volume + 2µl
  • But always use a minimum of 6 µl (1-2 µl of sample volume)
  • e.g. if you load 4 µl of sample: 2 x 4 µl + 2 µl = 10 µl

Changing the plate configuration

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Detailed guide how to change the plate configuration see pdf

  • Close Xcalibur, methods, qual browser etc.
  • You can leave the virtual display and Tune window open
  • Open instrument configuration (should be pinned to the start menu)
  • Select the EASYnLC and hit configure
  • Click on “Test configuration” wait for the “connection OK” turn green
  • Under Autosampler Configuration, go to the plate installed and select the plate format you want to use
  • Note our systems are only calibrated for 6x8 vials and 96 well plate
  • You can click on Edit to see the layout or change the row/number layout if you wish
  • Hit “OK” and then “Done” to close the instrument configuration window



  • Now you have to change the plate on the HPLC itself:
  • On the EASYnLC home screen click on the plate
  • Click on Goto Calibration
  • Alternatively, you can go to Maintenance/Devices/Cooled Autosampler/Tools
  • Select the plate you want to use from the pull-down menu
  • Hit “Use” and acknowledge the pop up



  • Now re-open Xcalibur and you should be able to select the sample positions that correspond to your plate
  • 6x8: A1-A8, B1-B8, … F1-F8
  • 8x12: A1-A12, B1-B12, …. H1-H12
  • Note the vial position for the 6 vials on the right side is 1-V1 through 1-V6

LogViewer

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the following document describes how to use the LogViewer to view the EASYnLC pressure trace.
You can download the zip file containing the log viewer.

HPLC setup

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the following document includes guidelines to setup the capillary trap/column on our LC-MS systems, this is intended as a supplement to the hands-on training required to use the UWPR instruments.

Instrument Method setup guidelines

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Detailed guide how to setup the EASY-nLC method see pdf

  • Note: the injection volume in the Xcalibur sequence overwrites the Sample pickup volume in the method
  • You need to make sure the at the Sample loading Volume in the method is sufficient to load the entire sample onto the column
  • Always set the Sample loading Volume = 2 x injection volume + 2 µl
  • But always use a minimum of 6 µl (1-2 µl of sample volume)
  • e.g. if you load 4 µl of sample: 2 x 4 µl + 2 µl = 10 µl
  • The basic method provided by UWPR will have a loading volume of 20 µl to allow for 1-8 µl sample injection volumes (set in Xcalibur sequence list)

Setup the Gradient Back to Top
  • Note the buffer composition used on the EASY-nLC:
  • Buffer A: 0.1 % Formic Acid in Water (Fisher Water with 0.1% Formic Acid (v/v), Optima™ LC/MS Grade, LS118)
  • Buffer B: 0.1 % Formic Acid, 80% Acetonitrile in Water (Fisher Water with 0.1% Formic Acid (v/v), Optima™ LC/MS Grade, LS122500)
  • Formula 100% ACN to 80% conversion: % B [80%ACN] = 1.25 * % B [100%ACN]
Application Note: Improving Retention Time Precision and Chromatography of Early Eluting Peptides with Acetonitrile/Water Blends as Solvent B

%B [100% ACN] %B [80% ACN] %B [100% ACN] %B [80% ACN]
1 1.25 10 12.5
2 2.5 20 25
3 3.75 30 37.5
4 5 40 50
5 6.25 50 62.5
6 7.5 60 75
7 8.75 70 87.5
8 10 80 100
9 11.25 90 na
10 12.5 100 na


Solvent filters

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We noticed air leaks originating from the original solvent filter cartridges. So we decided to replace them with a different setup:
Guide how to setup alternate EASY-nLC solvent filters see pdf


Upgrading Software/Firmware on the EASYnLC 1200

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This document describes how to upgrade software on an EASYnLC from SW 4.1 to SW 4.2: see pdf
Note it also describes how to change the password in Putty (in case you don't like the Master Key)


Troubleshooting

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This guide from Thermo describes the maintenance and troubleshooting procedures required to maintain the EASY-nLC™ instrument in optimal working condition. Thermo Troubleshooting and Maintenance Guide pdf

This document contains tips to manually troubleshoot air leaks in the checkvalve: Easy nLC 1000 Check Valve Evaluation pdf

Easy nLC 1200 Key Changes over the 1000 Series: Easy nLC 1200 Key Changes over the 1000 Series pdf

Convert bar to psi

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Formula for bar to psi conversion: 1 bar = 14.5038 psi or (bar x 14.5038 = psi) or 0.0689475729 bars in 1 psi.

To convert bar to psi follow this link: UnitConverters.net: Convert bar to psi

For a bar / psi chart follow this link: VICI tech support: Pressure Conversion Chart

Convert Bar to Psi Convert Psi to Bar
1 14.5 10 0.7
10 145.0 100 6.9
50 725.2 500 34.5
100 1450.4 1000 68.9
150 2175.6 1500 103.4
200 2900.8 2000 137.9
250 3626.0 2500 172.4
300 4351.1 3000 206.8
350 5076.3 3500 241.3
400 5801.5 4000 275.8
450 6526.7 4500 310.3
500 7251.9 5000 344.7
550 7977.1 5500 379.2
600 8702.3 6000 413.7
650 9427.5 7000 482.6
700 10152.7 8000 551.6
750 10877.9 9000 620.5
800 11603.0 10000 689.5
850 12328.2 11000 758.4
900 13053.4 12000 827.4
950 13778.6 13000 896.3
1000 14503.8 14000 965.3
1050 15229.0 15000 1034.2
1100 15954.2 16000 1103.2
1150 16679.4 17000 1172.1
1200 17404.6 18000 1241.1