Installing the Furnace Capillary tubing

Issue

Over time, the tubing can deteriorate leading to higher blank signals and need to be replaced. This article will detail how to install new capillary tubing.

Environment

• iCE 3400
• iCE 3500

Resolution

1. Make sure that the autosampler arm is in the Parked position with the Park Autosampler command in the system software.
2. Remove the capillary (autosampler probe) tip and locking cap from the end of the autosampler arm
3. Pull the  PTFE cone from the autosampler arm to expose the capillary tubing gently from the arm and remove the PTFE cone.
4. Remove the PTFE cone from the capillary. 

Note:  Don't be afraid to exert a little force to remove the cone

5. Locate the syringe compartment on the autosampler front panel.
6. Remove the syringe from its mount by carefully pulling the syringe handling strap.
7. Unscrew the capillary tube connections and remove the syringe.
8.Gently pull the old capillary tubing out from the autosampler, pulling on the tube from the syringe mount area.
9. Feed the new capillary tubing through the guide tube in the autosampler until the end emerges from the autosampler arm.

10. Connect the syringe to the end of the capillary tubing and return the syringe to its holder.
Note: Make sure the capillary tubing is not trapped behind the syringe when you push it back into it's holder as this may crimp or cut the tubing.

11. Using a scalpel or sharp new razor blade shave the tubing like the pattern shown in the drawing below.


You can either shave the tube to the desired shape as shown in the picture 1 or you can cut at an angle as shown in picture 2.

After the tubing has been cut it should look like the tubing in the picture below.

12. Push the tubing through the small end of the cone as shown in the picture below.
Note: A small piece of very fine sandpaper wrapped around the tubing can be used to grip the tubing. This will aid in pushing the tapered tip of the tube through the hole in the center of the ferrule. The tip of the tube should extend past the ferrule.

13. With a needle nose pliers, grab the tip of the tube  (as in picture below) and pull it through the ferrule until a non-tapered part of the tube extends past the ferrule. 

The tubing should now look like the tubing in the picture below.

14. Use a very sharp razor blade or scalpel to trim the excess tube from the face of the ferrule. Make sure that there are no cuts into the ferrule and that the end of the tube does not extend past the face of the ferrule.

Note: if some of the tube does extend past the face of the ferrule, gental pull back on the capillary tubing from the small end of the ferrule until the tubing is flush with the end of the hole in large end of ferrule

15. Pull back on the capillary tubing from the syringe side until the cone seats itself in the end of the arm.

16. Install the collet with the capillary tip (autosampler probe) conto the arm of the autosampler.

17. Run a Autosampler Purge in Solaar to purge the new capillary tubing