Loading a Sample

The Sample Handling tab in GDA manages all sample handling in VMXm. 5 samples can be loaded into the VMXm endstation hotel.

Sample Status:

• Dark Green = no sample present
• Light Green = sample present
• Blue = Currently selected/active sample

The Samples tab is second along across the top of GDA (highlighted).

After loading the sample cartridge into the endstation a 'Scan Hotel' must first be performed. This will tell GDA how many samples are present in the cartridge. During the 'Scan Hotel', the current state will be 'scanning hotel', please wait until current state reports 'idle' before selecting a sample.

Once the hotel has finished scanning, a sample can be loaded onto the goniometer. This can be done by selecting the 'Load #' button below the relevant sample. This will start the process of the gripper loading the selected sample, this will take several minutes. When the current state reads 'Open gripper clamp' the gripper has placed the sample on the goniometer and is waiting for the user to release the sample ready for data collection.

Once you are ready to collect data the sample can be released by the gripper. Once released you will have 5-7 minutes before the sample will need re-cooling again. To release the sample press the 'Resume after load' button, you can see the gripper releasing the sample on the beamline webcam view. Once the gripper has released the sample it will move to a position ready for data collection. When it has reached this position the samples can be aligned in the 'Data collection' tab.

To change to a new sample this can be done by navigating back to the 'Samples' tab. This can be done by selecting the 'Load #' button below the relevant sample. This will unload the current sample and load the new sample that has been selected. When the current state reads 'Open gripper clamp' the gripper has placed the sample on the goniometer and is waiting for the user to release the sample ready for data collection.