RAL STAINER

The RAL Automated staining system

User Guide
Ref:12062-V08 / EN
 Before use, please read the user guide carefully in order to be able to use the equipment correctly.

The user guide must be kept in the immediate vicinity in order to be available for reference at all
times.

For the most recent version of the documents, please log on to my.ral-diagnostics.fr.
RAL STAINER

History of changes to the user guide

Revision Date Section Software Version

1 03/2012 2.43
2 07/2012 6 2.55
3 08/2012 12 2.55
4 02/2013 - 2.60
5 07/2013 - 2.62
6 11/2014 - 2.69A /2.70
7 11/2016 4.3 2.69A /2.70
8 03/2020 3 - 7 3.41

RAL Diagnostics - Site Montesquieu - 33650 Martillac - FRANCE

[email protected]
T +33 (0) 557 960 404 - F +33 (0) 557 960 405

www.ral-diagnostics.fr
my.ral-diagnostics.fr

All rights reserved. The reproduction, modification or use of any part of this document in any form is prohibited
without the written permission of RAL Diagnostics.

•2• RAL Stainer User guide

 CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.1 RESPONSIBILITY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2 SYMBOLS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.1 SYMBOLS USED IN THIS GUIDE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE SYMBOLS ON THE APPLIANCE. . . . . . . . . . 6

3 WARRANTY AND WARRANTY LIMITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

4 SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
RAL STAINER

4.1 COMPLIANT USE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

4.2 WARNINGS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.3 WASTE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.3.1 ELECTRONIC WASTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.3.2 BACTERIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WASTE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

5 DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLIANCE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

5.1 OPERATING PRINCIPLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5.2 PERFORMANCE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5.3 SAFETY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5.4 SIZE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5.5 ELECTRIC SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5.6 ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITS FOR USE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5.7 ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITS FOR TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE. 14

6 STAINING REAGENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

7 INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
7.1 PACKAGING LIST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
7.2 INSTALLATION ENVIRONMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
7.3 SETTING UP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
7.4 CONNECTION OF THE INSTRUMENT TO THE MAINS POWER SUPPLY.
7.5 HYDRAULIC CONNECTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

8 SCREEN DESCRIPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
8.1 MEANINGS OF THE SYMBOLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
8.2 PAGE DESCRIPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
8.2.1 STAINING PAGE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
8.2.2 SETTINGS PAGE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
8.2.3 CHANGE SESSION PAGE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
8.2.4 INFORMATION PAGE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
8.2.5 ALPHANUMERIC AND NUMBER KEYBOARD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

9 INITIALISATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
9.1 USER CREATION AND RIGHTS MANAGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

10 USE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
10.1 STARTING UP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
10.2 INSTALLING REAGENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
10.2.1 STAINING KIT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
10.2.2 RINSING SOLUTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

•3• RAL Stainer User guide

 10.3 STAINING PROTOCOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
10.3.1 PROTOCOL MODIFICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
10.3.2 CHANGING THE PROTOCOL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
10.4 INSTALLING THE SLIDES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
10.4.1 LOADING THE SLIDE HOLDER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
10.4.2 PLACE THE SLIDE HOLDER IN THE APPLIANCE. . . . . . . . . . . 33
10.5 STAINING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
10.6 CHANGING THE STAINING KIT OR DRAINING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
10.6.1 CHANGING THE STAINING KIT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
10.6.2 DRAINING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
10.7 STAND-BY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
10.8 POWERING OFF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

11 TRACEABILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
11.2 LOADING THE TRACEABILITY FILE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
RAL STAINER

12 CLEANING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
12.1 CLEANING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
12.2 HYDRAULIC SYSTEM CLEANING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
12.3 ACTIVATED CARBON FILTER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
12.4 DECONTAMINATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

13 CONSUMABLES AND OPTION EQUIPMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

13.1 CONSUMABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
13.2 OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

14 MAINTENANCE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

15 AFTER-SALES SERVICES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

16 TROUBLESHOOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
16.1 ERROR MESSAGES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
16.2 WHAT TO DO WHEN ...?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

17 SUMMARY OF TIPS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

18 INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

19 EC DECLARATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

20 INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

•4• RAL Stainer User guide

 1 INTRODUCTION

Thank you for having chosen RAL Stainer.

RAL Stainer is intended for the staining of bacteriological and hematological smears.
It can be used to autonomously stain 20 slides and returns the slides ready for observation.
It recognizes the staining kits installed and recommends the protocol to use as well as the renewal of the
reagents.
It can trace staining carried out using an RFID system.
It ensures the complete safety of the user: the user loads and unloads the biological samples without
opening the appliance, the residual stain emanations are retained by an activated carbon filter.

1.1 RESPONSIBILITY
RAL STAINER

Even if the greatest care has been given to the drafting of this guide, RAL Diagnostics cannot be held liable by
any party in the event of damages caused, or supposed to have been caused, either directly or indirectly, by
the failure to carry out the instructions contained in this guide or by the non compliant use of the equipment
described below.

•5• RAL Stainer User guide

 2 SYMBOLS

2.1 SYMBOLS USED IN THIS GUIDE

RAL Stainer is designed in order to ensure the maximum safety of the user. However, it is necessary to follow
the instructions described in this guide and indicated by the following symbols:

Attention : Failure to respect the information preceded by this symbol can be dangerous for the
user or for the environment ; or cause major damage to the appliance.

Warning: This symbol precedes all information covering the correct use of the appliance and a
quality diagnosis.
RAL STAINER

Biological risks

Information: This symbol precedes information that may be useful to a user operating the appliance.

Tips: This symbol precedes useful advice.

2.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE SYMBOLS ON THE APPLIANCE

Front side Back side

Biological Risks

REF Appliance Reference

SN Appliance Serial Number

Manufacturer's Address

Fabrication Date

Operating relative humidity limits

Operating temperature limits

Recycling of the instrument or return to the distributor

Pollution Control

Attention, see User Guide

Consult the User Guide

Medical In Vitro Diagnosis System

Security Certification

European Compliance

•6• RAL Stainer User guide

 3 WARRANTY AND WARRANTY LIMITS

When installed and used in accordance with this manual, RAL Diagnostics and your representative guarantee
that this device has no operating defects.
All repairs and services must be performed only by personnel authorised by RAL Diagnostics.
The duration of the warranty on defects in equipment and workmanship is stipulated in the sales conditions
relating to the acquisition of this system.
The term of warranty begins on the day your device is commissioned by your RAL Diagnostics representative.
The duration of the warranty for equipment and manufacturing faults is indicated on your warranty contract.

Failure to respect the safety instructions below or a use which is not compliant with this user guide may use
cause the cancelling of the warranty.

Any interference with the system by unauthorised personnel will void the warranty and may result in repair
RAL STAINER

costs.The warranty does not cover wear parts.

•7• RAL Stainer User guide

 4 SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

4.1 COMPLIANT USE

• RAL Stainer is intended for professional use only.
• RAL Stainer operates using RAL Stainer kits from RAL Diagnostics. It is not designed for any other use and
cannot be operated using other reagents than those from RAL Diagnostics.
• The smears will be made on standard slides.
• RAL Stainer is strictly reserved for interior use.
• The use of the appliance must comply with the instructions given in this guide.
• T he conditions of compliant use also include the regular cleaning of the appliance and the carrying out of
maintenance operations.
• The unpacking, installation and repair operations must be carried out by an authorised technician.
RAL STAINER

• The reservoir tank must be always in place. See section 7.3.

• T his device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions : (1)
this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
• RAL Stainer complies with the emission and immunity requirements described in this part of the IEC 61326-2-6.
RAL Stainer has been designed and tested to CISPR 11 Class A. In a domecstic environment it may cause radio interference.
To avoid any risk :
- Assess the electromagnetic environment before using RAL Stainer.
- Use the cables provided.
Risk of malfunction of RAL Stainer due to radio interferences produced by other electrical devices.
To avoid any risk :
- Do not use strong magnetic field transmitters (ie. mobile phone, handheld radios, automatic door opening
and closing devices, elevators) around RAL Stainer.

4.2 WARNINGS
• Failure to respect the safety instructions and the use instructions may compromise the user safety.
•N
 ever connect the appliance to a mains power outlet supplying a voltage different than that
indicated on the rear of the appliance. The main supply must not exceed ± 10% of the specified
voltage (100-240V). Failure to follow this instruction can cause a fire or an electric shock.
•A
 void causing damage to the power supply cable. Do not place any appliances on it. Do not tug
on the cable (to disconnect the appliance for example). Failure to follow these instructions can
cause a short circuit or a disconnection that could, in turn, cause a fire or an electric shock.
•B
 efore connecting the product to the mains, check that the electrical installation of the building
complies with national installation regulations.
• Do not use a power cable of a length greater than 3m.
•N
 ever touch the electric circuits or other parts located inside the appliance. There is a risk of
electric shock, especially with damp hands.
• T he lithium battery contained in the electronic card located in the left reagent drawer of the device
can be replaced by a battery with the same characteristics (CR1220 3v). Throwing away used
batteries according to your laboratory practises.
• In the event of unusual smoke being emitted by the appliance, immediately switch it off using the
main switch and unplug the mains power supply cable. Contact the RAL Diagnostics post-sales
service.
• It is prohibited to force the cover openings, the slide drawers or the reagent drawers both when
operating and when not operational.
• It is prohibited to force the rotating arm both when operating and when not operational.
•W
 ear laboratory gloves and a laboratory coat when using the appliance and its reagents. The
dangers relative to each reagent are indicated on their respective packaging or see section 6. In
the event of an accident, refer to the relevant safety data sheets.
•A ll biological samples, all effluents and all used consumables should be considered to be
potentially dangerous. Once the appliance is no longer used, the user should disinfect and
wash his/her hands.
•T he contact between contaminated hands and the appliance can cause the contamination of
the appliance. In this case, decontaminate the appliance according to current laboratory best
practises. See also section 12.2.
• Generally, make sure that current laboratory best practises are used.
•8• RAL Stainer User guide
 4.3 WASTE
4.3.1 ELECTRONIC WASTE

This symbol is applicable in European countries.

It indicates that this instrument complies with the 2003/108/CE directive related to electronic and
electrical equipment.
Outside the European Union, refer to current local or national regulations.

4.3.2 BACTERIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WASTE

Before disposing of biological samples and/or chemical reagents, consult the reagent safety instructions.

Generally, make sure that current laboratory best practises are used.
RAL STAINER

•9• RAL Stainer User guide

 5 DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLIANCE
RAL STAINER

Open front face view

Left view Right view

Side view with slide- Top view with

drawers open reagents-drawers
open

• 10 • RAL Stainer User guide

 Touch screen interface

Standby button

Protective cover
RAL STAINER

Staining arm

Draining nozzle
Staining stations
with sealed lids (x4)

Connectors
liquid with level
detection

Reagent loading
drawers
Waste outlet
and rinsing
liquid

Slide loading/unloading drawers

And drying zone (x2)
Autonomy of 1 to 20 slides
(2 ten-slide slide holders)

• 11 • RAL Stainer User guide

 USB port for downloading
traceability information and
software updates
RAL STAINER

Activated
carbon filter

On/Off or
0/1 switch

Connections for
the rinsing level
and the waste
outlet level

Power
supply input

Connections for the rinsing

liquid and the waste outlet
Peristaltic pump
for effluent suction

• 12 • RAL Stainer User guide

 5.1 OPERATING PRINCIPLES

RAL Stainer is an automatic bath staining appliance.

An arm which follows a circular and vertical path successively:
- Hooks the slide holder installed by the user;
- Brings the slide holder into each staining tank and then into the rinsing tank depending on the recorded
protocol;
- Returns the slide holder to its initial position.
- The slides are then dried.
Staining is complete.

5.2 PERFORMANCE

• LCD touch screen

• Capacity 2x10 slides

RAL STAINER

• 4 staining stations

• 1 rinsing station

• 2 loading/unloading drawers for 1 to 10 slides each with a ventilator to dry the slides at the end of the cycle

• Up to 10 staining programmes in memory

• 30 users that can be parametered, four levels of authorisation: User, Expert, Administrator, and Installer.

• RFID System
Automatic recognition of kits and corresponding staining protocol optimised by RAL Diagnostics.
Control of the batch, the expiry date and the staining kit autonomy.

• Polyvalent use
It is possible to switch from one kit to the other, from one application to another: RAL Stainer keeps the data
about all the kits being used in memory.

• Stainings traceability : date, user, staining parameters, batch kits.

5.3 SAFETY

Vapour emanation is limited because the loading/unloading of the reagents and slides is carried out using
drawers.
Each tank is closed using a sealed lid inside the appliance.
The cover need not be opened other than for cleaning operations.
RAL Stainer has a ventilation system which uses an activated carbon filter to evacuate all possible residual
vapour (Warning when the filter needs to be changed).
The arm is fitted with a level sensor which adjusts the slide immersion height depending on the liquid
remaining in the containers.
The draining of the solutions is carried out by the appliance itself thanks to a peristaltic pump which directs
towards the waste bin (10 L), thus avoiding dangerous handling.
The waste bin level will be automatically detected in order to avoid any overflow.
The level of rinsing liquid will be automatically detected to avoid launching staining without rinsing liquid.
Drainage holes and a reservoir tank can collect liquids in case of leak.

5.4 SIZE

Weight: 28 kg
Diameter: 42.5 cm
Height: 62.4 cm

5.5 ELECTRIC SPECIFICATIONS

Voltage: 100-240V/ ~ 50-60Hz.
Operating power: 150 VA
Overvoltage category 2 (Portable or domestic appliances and equipments)

• 13 • RAL Stainer User guide

 5.6 ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITS FOR USE

Temperature: from 18 to 30°C

Humidity: from 20 to 85%

RAL Stainer is strictly reserved for interior use. It is not recommended to use this device in a location with
an altitude more than 3 000 meters and in an environment having a pollution degree superior than 2.

5.7 ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITS FOR TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE

Temperature: from -10 to 55°C

Humidity: from 5 to 85%
RAL STAINER

• 14 • RAL Stainer User guide

 6 STAINING REAGENTS

Only RAL Diagnostics staining reagents can be used in the RAL Stainer.

Refer to the staining protocol for the use of each staining kit, for the attempt performances, for the quality
control and the standard staining protocol.
RAL STAINER

• 15 • RAL Stainer User guide

 7 DELIVERY AND INSTALLATION
1.Check the integrity of the packaging box upon delivery.
2.If the packaging shows signs of damage or if the shock sensor is activated (if any), please make a note on
the delivery slip.
3.Set down the packaging according to the handling arrows.

The RAL Stainer must be installed by a technician approved by RAL Diagnostics.

7.1 PACKAGING LIST

Check that all the items below are contained in the RAL Stainer package:

Description Quantity
RAL STAINER

Automatic staining appliance with a rinsing tank and a carbon filter 1

Power supply (L=2m) 1

RAL Stainer 10 L Jerrycan 2

Hydraulic cane for effluents 1

Hydraulic cane for rinsing liquid 1

Reservoir tank 1

Pack of Slide-holder RAL Stainer (x3) 1

Filter Cartridge RAL Stainer 1

Stylus 1

RAL Stainer CD 1
RAL Stainer Quick Start 1
Label sheets 20
RAL Stainer USB Stick 1
Decontamination certificate 1
Instrument certificate 1

If one of the items is damaged or missing, contact your RAL Diagnostics representative.

• 16 • RAL Stainer User guide

 7.2 INSTALLATION ENVIRONMENT

• Store the instrument in a location within the environmental operating limits.

• The appliance must be placed on a stable, flat and clean table. Avoid shocks and vibrations.

624 mm
• Considering the weight of the RAL Stainer: 28 kg, use a sufficiently solid table.

• Place the appliance close to a mains power outlet.

•C
 onsidering the size of the RAL Stainer - ø 42.5 cm / H 62.4 cm - plan to use a space of 70 x 60 cm for
the appliance installation, use and maintenance.

424 mm
RAL STAINER

624 mm

421 mm
460 mm

250 mm
Rayon vrai 200 mm

424 mm

 void placing the appliance behind a window in order to limit the heating of the reagents under
A
direct sunlight.
If the appliance has been stored at temperatures outside the environmental usage limits, it must
421 mm

remain at room temperature for 1 hour before powering up.

Avoid using the appliance in close proximity to a chemical reagent storage area or in an atmosphere
containing emanations of dangerous gases.
250 mm

Rayon vrai 200 mm Make sure the on/off switch and the mains power
outlet remain accessible.
If you have to move the instrument, handle it carefully
by lifting it up by the bottom, like shown in the opposite
picture. Do not lift the machine by the block
distribution (risk of breakage). FR-022/B

7.3 SETTING UP
195 NOTE 024
Place the RAL Stainer on a flat and stable surface, in a sufficiently
wide
Le bac se positionne sousspace, aspardescribed
la machine, glissement. in section 7.2.
Il vient en butée sur les cornières du chassis tôle et est guidé latéralement par le chassis
aluminium. Place the two supplied containers beneath the table.
To eliminate any risk of error in the use of the appliance, mark
each supplied container with the supplied labels in order to assign
a function to each one: Effluent Container and Rinsing liquid container.

The supplied containers can also be replaced by your usual containers. Rinse label
However check the sealing of the container as it is not certain that the
supplied cover fits your container.
Le bac permet de récupérer les fuites en cas de perçage ou déconnexion d’un tuyau

Slide the reservoir tank under the machine at the back until it
is blocked.

The reservoir tank must always be empty. If it is full,

Waste label
because of the flammability hazard of some
products, remove it by sliding it gently, then empty it 12094-V04 planche container.indd 1 12/06/14 10:38

and call your service engineer. 12094-V04 planche container.indd 1 12/06/14 10:38

• 17 • RAL Stainer User guide

Bac seul :
 7.4 CONNECTION OF THE INSTRUMENT TO THE MAINS POWER SUPPLY

Only use the power supply supplied with the appliance.

RAL STAINER

power outlet
120/240V, 50-60Hz

Using the supplied power cable, connect the RAL Stainer to an alternating current power outlet nearby.
The appliance operates in the voltage range 100V to 240V, 50-60Hz

7.5 HYDRAULIC CONNECTIONS

Connect the Effluent container and the rinsing liquid container to the right hand part of the appliance.

1. Introduce the tube and the level sensor connected to the red cover into the waste container and screw the
cover to hermetically seal the container.

2. Introduce the tube and the level sensor connected to the blue cover
into the rinsing container and screw the cover to hermetically seal
the container.

Rinsing container
tube

3. C
 onnect the tubes to the corresponding couplers on the appliance
taking care to respect the colour codes:
Waste container
tube
Blue: Connection of the rinsing liquid container
Yellow: Connection of the effluent container

4. C
 onnect the electric cables using the male jack connectors to the
appliance's female male connectors in any order. The level sensors
do not have any specific connectors.

Rinsing level
and waste level
connections

• 18 • RAL Stainer User guide

 8 SCREEN DESCRIPTIONS

RAL Stainer has a simple and user friendly interface, and a touch screen.

8.1 MEANINGS OF THE SYMBOLS

Validate Cancel Next page

RAL STAINER

Go to page

Staining Settings Change session Information

Unlock the slide drawer Launch staining Halt staining

Soak Rinse Mix Dry Drain

• 19 • RAL Stainer User guide

 8.2 PAGE DESCRIPTIONS
8.2.1 STAINING PAGE

The Staining page is the page that is always displayed by default. Staining is launched from this page.

RAL STAINER
RAL STAINER

Name of the Staining kit

staining kit Protocol used Name of the staining
protocol used

Error or information
message area
MESSAGE ZONES
Autonomy: х cycles/x slides Number of staining
x slides / x days cycles remaining
min:sec
Open Drawer status

Control panel of the two work

zone

Remaining staining time

Progress of staining

Drying in progress

Staining in progress
Available zone

To return to this page, press the button

• 20 • RAL Stainer User guide

 8.2.2 SETTINGS PAGE

10 functions

RAL STAINER
ADJUST USER RIGHTS
PROTOCOL MANAGEMENT

SET LANGUAGE
PROTOCOL

LOAD/CHANGE OPEN DATE / HOUR

REAGENTS COVER LID
RAL STAINER

EMPTY AUTOCLEAN MAINTENANCE

REAGENTS

To access this page,

Presentation of the functions:

Name Screen Function

Used to save up to 9
ADJUST
PROTOCOL RAL STAINER custom protocols per
staining kit.

1 Reagent name min:sec yes 1 no

2 Reagent name
3 Reagent name
4 Reagent name

min:sec

• 21 • RAL Stainer User guide

 Name Screen Function

RAL STAINER Used to access the list

SET
PROTOCOL
of recorded protocols
and switch from one to
Standard another.
RAL STAINER

Used to open the sealed

LOAD/CHANGE
No specific screen, PLC action lids of the staining
REAGENTS
stations and the reagent
loading side doors in
order to load a new
staining kit or replace a
staining kit.

EMPTY
Used to drain the
RAL STAINER reagents in order to
REAGENTS
remove the containers in
complete safety when the
staining kit has expired
or is out of service, or
when the user requires.
EMPTY
REAGENTS

Used to open the cover

OPEN
No specific screen, PLC action for a weekly interior
COVER LID
clean.

Used to record the users

USER RIGHTS RAL STAINER with a level of rights to be
MANAGEMENT
selected.

UTILISATEUR
USER

EXPERT

ADMINISTRATOR

INSTALLER

• 22 • RAL Stainer User guide

 Name Screen Function

RAL STAINER Used to select the

LANGUAGE
operating language.

Français Português

English 日本人

Deutsch Español

法语 Italiano
RAL STAINER

Used to update the time

DATE / TIME RAL STAINER on the machine.

0 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9

No specific screen, PLC Action. Allows you to

AUTOCLEAN decontaminate the
tubes and rinsing tank.
Only accessible
MAINTENANCE
- + - + H2O NS
to authorised
persons. Used
- + - + erase
to check the
appliance's operating
trace steps.
erase
mem
6
T1 T3 C1 C3 L1 V

T2 T4 C2 C4 L2 R

• 23 • RAL Stainer User guide

 8.2.3 CHANGE SESSION PAGE

The Change session page is used to change users while operating.

To access this page, press

Fill in the code

RAL STAINER

CODE :
0 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9
RAL STAINER

A B C D E F G H I
Space

J K L M N O P Q R -
S T U V W X Y Z

and press on or .

8.2.4 INFORMATION PAGE

To access this page, press

The information page gives access to:

- The information on the staining kit being used: Kit batch number and remaining number of cycles;
- The information about your staining appliance: serial number and software version (HMI software version/
Motor software version/ RFID software version)
- Access to information on the activated carbon filter: the remaining time of use
- Information on the user currently working and the list of all users.

RAL STAINER
REAGENT KIT INFORMATION
Loaded kit : ---
INFO
Remaining cycles : 0

MACHINE INFORMATIONS
Serial number: 0000 20/02/2012 15:09:31
Software version : 02:41 / 02:14 / V305
Filter autonomy : 61h INIT

PROFILES
Current session : XXX PROFILES

This information can be useful when you contact your RAL Diagnostics representative for
questions about the use of your RAL Stainer appliance or your RAL Stainer staining kit.

• 24 • RAL Stainer User guide

 8.2.5 ALPHANUMERIC AND NUMBER KEYBOARD

RAL STAINER RAL STAINER

0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 5 6 7 8 9
AINER
A B C D E F G H I
Space

J K L M N O P Q R -
2 3 4 S T U V W X Y Z
RAL STAINER

7 8 9
C D E F G These
H Idialogue pages are used in several parts of the interface.
L M N O P They
Q are - to enter numbers from 1 to 9, letters, add a space [Space] or a hyphen [-].
R used
U V W X Y The
Z key is used to cancel entered characters.

On the number page, the cursor passes automatically from minutes to seconds.

Then press : or .

• 25 • RAL Stainer User guide

 9 INITIALISATION

9.1 USER CREATION AND RIGHTS MANAGEMENT

Turn on the appliance using the 0/1 switch located behind the instrument.

RAL STAINER

CODE :
0 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9
A B C D E F G H I
Space

J K L M N O P Q R -
RAL STAINER

S T U V W X Y Z

Enter the user code created with your RAL Diagnostics representative during the installation,

On first use, you must record the users and assign them access rights. The user code will then suffice to
start up the machine.

Four authorisation levels can be used:

Type Screen Rights

User level
RAL STAINER
USER
This level makes it
ADJUST USER RIGHTS
PROTOCOL MANAGEMENT
possible to use the
machine and to load
EXPERT SET
protocols that have been
LANGUAGE
PROTOCOL defined by an Expert or
Administrator user.
LOAD/CHANGE OPEN
INSTALLER REAGENTS COVER LID
DATE / HOUR

EMPTY
RAL STAINER REAGENTS
AUTOCLEAN MAINTENANCE

ADMINISTRATOR

UTILISATEUR
USER

User level + creation and

EXPERT
RAL STAINER modification of staining
protocols.
ADJUST USER RIGHTS
PROTOCOL MANAGEMENT
ADMINISTRATOR This level makes it
SET
possible to use the
LANGUAGE
PROTOCOL machine and to modify
INSTALLER the settings for a
LOAD/CHANGE OPEN DATE / HOUR protocol or to create a
REAGENTS COVER LID
new protocol.
EMPTY AUTOCLEAN MAINTENANCE
REAGENTS

• 26 • RAL Stainer User guide

 UTILISATEUR
USER

Type Screen Rights

EXPERT
Expert level + Rights
RAL STAINER management + some
ADMINISTRATOR functions of maintenance
ADJUST USER RIGHTS screen
PROTOCOL MANAGEMENT
INSTALLER This level gives access to
SET LANGUAGE all settings except for the
PROTOCOL
Maintenance page.
RAL STAINER LOAD/CHANGE OPEN
Only an Administrator
DATE / HOUR can create a new user
REAGENTS COVER LID
and define his/her rights.
EMPTY AUTOCLEAN
Authorized functions on
MAINTENANCE
UTILISATEUR
USER REAGENTS the maintenance screen:
operating arm movements,
activation of water pump
and peristaltic pump
EXPERT
RAL STAINER

for effluents, trace file

erasing.
ADMINISTRATOR
Administrator level
RAL STAINER + access to the
INSTALLER maintenance page
ADJUST USER RIGHTS
PROTOCOL MANAGEMENT Level reserved
for your
SET
PROTOCOL
LANGUAGE distributor.

LOAD/CHANGE OPEN DATE / HOUR

REAGENTS COVER LID

EMPTY AUTOCLEAN MAINTENANCE

REAGENTS

USER RIGHTS
a. On the settings menu , press MANAGEMENT

The user list page appears.

b. Select a location. 30 users can be defined.

RAL STAINER
If you use a location that is already in use, the new
Standard
record will overwrite the previous record.

You can create up to 30 users, the arrow allows you to change

the profile page.

• 27 • RAL Stainer User guide

 c. Enter the user name and validate

RAL STAINER

NAME :
0 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9
A B C D E F G H I
Space

J K L M N O P Q R -
RAL STAINER

S T U V W X Y Z

d. Enter the user identification code and validate

RAL STAINER

CODE :
It is recommended to choose an easy to remember
0 1 2 3 4 code, the appliance cannot remind the user of the
code.
5 6 7 8 9
A B C D E F G H I
Space

J K L M N O P Q R -
S T U V W X Y Z

e. Choose the level of rights to associate to the user

RAL STAINER

UTILISATEUR
USER

EXPERT

ADMINISTRATOR

INSTALLER

At all times it is possible to change users by clicking on the icon

See section 8.2.3.
A strict use of this tool makes it possible to enrich traceability related to the use of the machine.
You can also delete users by pressing on the recycle bin and then on the user to delete.

• 28 • RAL Stainer User guide

 10 USE

10.1 STARTING UP

Turn on the appliance using the 0/1 switch located behind the instrument.
The following page is displayed:

RAL STAINER

CODE :
0 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9
RAL STAINER

A B C D E F G H I
Space

J K L M N O P Q R -
S T U V W X Y Z

Enter the user code. Validate

10.2 INSTALLING REAGENTS

10.2.1 STAINING KIT

If, on start-up, the appliance does not detect a staining kit, it will request one to be inserted.

LOAD/CHANGE
1. Press on page
REAGENTS

2. The appliance opens the lids on the reagent stations and the reagent loading doors.

3. Break the protection seal and place the closed containers from
your staining kit using the numbers on the labels to place them at the
corresponding location within the instrument. Carefully remove the
container caps and keep them. Take off the tamper-proof seal.

Special precautions for bottle 1: Front face

Bottle 1 contains the RFID chip. This chip must be opposite bottle
the RFID reader (located to the left of the left reagent drawer)
in order to be read. If we consider that the front face of the bottle
is the labelled, curved face, this face must be placed opposite you,
thus the chip will be correctly read by the appliance. In the event
of an error, the "Tag error" message will be displayed. This can be
corrected by turning bottle 1.

RFID chip

RFID Reader
• 29 • RAL Stainer User guide
 Removing the caps from the bottles once they have been placed in the
appliance avoids any dangerous handling such as the spilling of the
reagent.
If the kit is new, turn the caps a quarter turn to break the seals.

4. Then gently close the reagent loading drawers until you hear a "click"as they
lock.

It is important that the necks of the bottles be free from reagent so

that the level sensor can adjust the soaking height of the slides in the
reagents.
 emove the tamper-proof seal, the can disturbs the arm movement.
R
RAL STAINER

5. The appliance closes the covers of the reagent stations.

RAL STAINER
Staining kit
Protocol used
RAL Stainer identifies the staining kit that was placed in
the appliance and proposes a "Standard" protocol.

It is possible to vary the protocol settings (time, mixing, rinsing). See section 10.3.

LOAD/CHANGE
This function REAGENTS can also be used to change staining kits during their use.

10.2.2 RINSING SOLUTION

Fill the container reserved for this use with the adequate rinsing liquid for the stain being used. Refer to the
staining kit instructions.
Adapt the cap with the suction cane to the rinsing container.

In the case of a low consumption of rinsing water, RAL Diagnostics recommends the regular
replacement of rinsing water in order to prevent the proliferation of bacteria and to clean the rinsing
liquid container weekly. See section 12.

RAL Stainer permanently checks the level of the rinsing liquid and notifies you when the level
becomes critical.

10.3 STAINING PROTOCOL

10 protocols can be memorised by the appliance.

The protocols proposed by default are protocols optimised by RAL Diagnostics in collaboration with
expert laboratories.
Due to the complex actions of the stainer kits, it is necessary to establish standard staining
conditions to ensure good staining quality and reproduction.

We therefore advise to test and assess the protocols tested by RAL Diagnostics before making any
changes to the protocol settings.

• 30 • RAL Stainer User guide

 10.3.1 PROTOCOL MODIFICATION

ADJUST
On page , PROTOCOL

This function is only accessible to Administrator and Expert users.

See section 9.1.

Main settings
RAL STAINER

RAL STAINER

1 Reagent name min:sec yes 1 no Rinsing station

2 Reagent name draining
Loaded reagents
3 Reagent name Number of rinsing
4 Reagent name Slides shaking
Dipping time
min:sec

Drying time
RAL STAINER

1 Reagent name min:sec yes 1 no

2 Reagent name
To modify a setting, .
3 Reagent name
4 Reagent name

min:sec

Press the time bar to A single push on the Indicate the number of Indicate whether you
change the soaking key is used to switch rinses after each tank. wish to drain the rinsing
time in tank. from yes to no. Pressing this key liquid after each rinse.
Select "Yes" if you wish displays another screen A single push on the
to agitate the slides in used to define the key is used to switch
reagent. If you select rinsing parameters. See from yes to no.
"No" the slide holder next section.
will not move during
soaking.

In the event of an error, returns to the previous screen.

• 31 • RAL Stainer User guide

 Rinsing
RAL STAINER
3 parameters : Define rinsing time
Min Sec with the numeric
keypad.
0 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9
Number of rinses
Define whether you require
movement during rinsing. Define the number of
rinses by pressing on the
left and right arrows.

Draining
RAL STAINER

RAL Stainer makes it possible to limit the volume of your effluents. You choose whether to drain the
rinsing liquid after each dip. If you choose never to drain the rinsing liquid during a cycle, RAL
Stainer will request the draining frequency by the question :
"How many cycles before draining rinsing water?" Enter the value.

RAL Diagnostics recommends draining the rinsing tank after each soaking in order to optimise the
quality of the staining.

Drying

Select the drying time with the numeric keypad.

00min 00s

When all the settings are correct, .

RAL STAINER

PROTOCOL NAME :
0 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9
A B C D E F G H I
Space

J K L M N O P Q R -
RAL STAINER
S T U V W X Y Z
Standard

Give a name to the defined protocol, .

Select a location to which to save your new protocol on the

protocol list page.

The selection of a location that has already been used will overwrite the protocol that was previously
at this location.
It is impossible to record a new protocol in location 1 which is reserved for the protocol proposed
by RAL Diagnostics. It is possible to return to this protocol at any time. It is possible to delete a
protocol by pressing on the recycle bin button and then on the protocol to delete.

• 32 • RAL Stainer User guide

 10.3.2 CHANGING THE PROTOCOL

SET
On page , PROTOCOL

RAL STAINER

Standard

This function is available to all users. See section

9.1.

The parametered protocol list is displayed, press on the

protocol to be changed to load it.
RAL STAINER

The last used protocol remains the active protocol after off/on operations of the appliance.

10.4 INSTALLING THE SLIDES

10.4.1 LOADING THE SLIDE HOLDER

Place from 1 to 10 slides in the slide holder.

1. Turn the slide holder 2. Place up to ten 3. Block the jaw by

and free the jaw by slides (identification moving the knob to the
placing the knob on the maintained). C "Close" position.
O "Open" position.

Always make sure that the slides are correctly placed and aligned. The slide holder is a consumable
which must be changed every 6 months. It's recommended to use the same kind of slides per cycle.

10.4.2 PLACE THE SLIDE HOLDER IN THE APPLIANCE

On page , for unlocking the slide loading drawer.

Place the slide holder correctly on its support in the drawer(s).

Close the drawer(s) until the "click" indicates they are locked.

During staining, it is possible to load a second slide holder or to remove an awaiting slide holder
to add or change a slide.

• 33 • RAL Stainer User guide

 10.5 STAINING
Staining is launched from the staining page, gives access to this page from any other page.

Once the protocol has been selected and the slides placed, to launch the staining.

The appliance moves into action, the arm picks up the slide holder. Staining begins.

RAL STAINER
Name of the Staining kit
staining kit Name of the staining
Protocol used
protocol used
RAL STAINER

Error or information
message area
MESSAGE ZONE
Autonomy: х cycles/ Number of staining
x slides cycles remaining
min:sec
Open Drawer status

Control panel of the two

work zones Progress of staining
Remaining staining time

Staining in Drying in
Available
progress progress
zone
To halt an ongoing staining, .

At the end of a cycle, unlock the drawer. Your slides are ready to be examined.

If two stainings are launched, the arm will begin the second staining after having dropped the first
slide holder back to its initial position. Before the second cycle begins, you can retrieve an
awaiting slide holder to add or change a slide by pressing on the lock button.
You can retrieve the first batch of slides after drying while the second batch is being stained.
The slide holder can be retrieved while drying is in progress.

10.6 CHANGING THE STAINING KIT OR DRAINING

10.6.1 CHANGING THE STAINING KIT

This is a useful function if you wish to use the appliance for several staining operations.

LOAD/CHANGE
Press REAGENTS on page .

The arm opens the lids, the reagent drawers open.

Put the caps back onto the bottles before removing them.
Remember to store the bottles away from light.

Then insert the bottles for the new staining kit and close the
reagent drawers.
The appliance is ready to operate using the new staining kit,
no cleaning cycle is required.

• 34 • RAL Stainer User guide

 The appliance can manage several staining kits in parallel, it keeps the data for each kit in
memory: the autonomy and the customised protocols for this kit reference.

10.6.2 DRAINING

In case:
- the kit has expired,
- the autonomy (cycles or days of use) has been exceeded,
- the level of one reagent is lower.

RAL Stainer shows the button load/change reagent.

To change MCDh 1 bottle press load/change reagent.
EMPTY
REAGENTS
To drain go on page ,

The effluents are rejected into the appliance's waste container, the reagent drawers are opened to allow to
RAL STAINER

remove the empty bottles.

.The bottles must be disposed of using the decontaminated waste channel.

.If the expiry date after opening is passed, the RAL Stainer will show the message: "Warning BBD expired".

.These safety mechanisms have been included for quality assurance reasons. We advise you to
follow the RAL Stainer recommendations.

10.7 STAND-BY

At the end of your working session, simply place the appliance on standby by using the standby button on
the top of the machine.

Standby button

The RAL Stainer can be restarted by simply pressing the same button again.

10.8 POWERING OFF

When a long period of inactivity is foreseen, prefer powering off the machine to placing it on standby.

In this case press the O/1 switch at the back of the appliance.

On/Off or
0/1 switch

• 35 • RAL Stainer User guide

 11 TRACEABILITY

The traceability file will indicate:

- Dates of each cycle
- User
- Staining kit name and batch
- Dying compliant Yes/No with error message. See section 16.1.
- Staining protocol
- Software version
- Automy of carbon filter

11.1 USING THE TRACEABILITY SOFTWARE

Insert the supplied CD into your computer.

RAL STAINER

Execute the file "Trace.exe" Follow the instructions.

The CD will install software which will enable you to decrypt the traceability file that can be retrieved from the
RAL Stainer.

11.2 LOADING THE TRACEABILITY FILE

1. Create a new text file on the supplied USB stick called "TRACE" (capital letters) using the windows Notepad.

2. Turn off the appliance and insert the USB stick

supplied with the appliance in its location.

3. Turn the machine back on:

- Appearance of the screen asking the user
code indicates that the trace file is loaded
on the stick.

4. Open the file on the USB stick named "TRACE.txt" using your traceability software "Trace.exe" on your
computer. It is recommended to make regular backups of the trace and to delete the trace from the machine
by a trace erase on maintenance page.

• 36 • RAL Stainer User guide

 12 CLEANING

12.1 CLEANING

OPEN
On page , COVER LID gives access to the inside of the machine.

RAL STAINER
Basic weekly surface cleaning is sufficient with a wet cloth. ADJUST USER RIGHTS
PROTOCOL MANAGEMENT
You can use for exemple Ethanol 70°.
SET LANGUAGE
PROTOCOL
Clean:
- The slide drawers LOAD/CHANGE OPEN
RAL STAINER

DATE / HOUR
REAGENTS COVER LID
- The slide holders
- The inside and outside surfaces EMPTY AUTOCLEAN MAINTENANCE
REAGENTS
- The rinsing tank

Procedure of rinsing station release

1. F ree the rinsing tray 2. L ift the rinsing nozzle 3. R

 emove the rinsing 4. R
 emove the rinsing
by giving a quarter and pivot it lightly nozzle tank
turn to the screw

Never pour liquid onto the appliance, it could damage the electronic components.
Do not use solvents on the screen and the cover lid.

In the event of accidental spillage of reagents, turn off the appliance as quickly as possible and
clean using a cloth and the appropriate solvent.
In all cases limit the dose of solvent.

12.2 HYDRAULIC SYSTEM CLEANING

Hydraulic decontamination by using the autoclean function is not recommended in Haematology.

In Bacteriology the Autoclean should be performed when changing kits in order to avoid bacteria
proliferation.

Equipment must be switched on.

Rinsing and draining circuits must be connected to the equipment.

Decontamination solutions like :

- Steranios of the Laboratoires Anios
- Elusept of Pierre Fabre Santé
- Ethanol
- ...

a. Clean the rinsing liquid container with a decontamination solution in order to prevent the proliferation of
bacteria on the container bottom.

b. Fill the rinsing liquid container with approximatively 500 ml of decontamination solution.
• 37 • RAL Stainer User guide
 RAL STAINER
c. Deep the rinsing cane in the container filled with the ADJUST USER RIGHTS
disinfectant solution. PROTOCOL MANAGEMENT

SET LANGUAGE
AUTOCLEAN PROTOCOL
d. On page , .
LOAD/CHANGE OPEN DATE / HOUR
REAGENTS COVER LID

EMPTY AUTOCLEAN MAINTENANCE

RAL Stainer will carry out 3 successive fillings and REAGENTS

emptyings of the rinsing tank to decontaminate the

hydraulic circuit.

e. Rinse the rinsing liquid container with your rinsing solution.

f. Deep now the rinsing cane in the rinsing solution.

RAL STAINER

g. Restart the autoclean as in d.

12.3 ACTIVATED CARBON FILTER

The RAL Stainer recommends the changes of the activated carbon filter cartridges.
The life span is calculated using the RAL Stainer operating times.

RAL Stainer will show warning message before the necessity to change the filter-cartridge: "The activated
carbon filter has expired: have you replaced it?"

The filter-cartridges are housed on the left of the machine.

1. Open the cover lid

2. Unscrew the two screws by a quarter turn

3. Remove the used filter cartridge

4. Fit a new filter-cartridge

5. Re-screw the two screws by a quarter turn

6. On page , set the cartridge life span counter to zero by pressing INIT

RAL STAINER
REAGENT KIT INFORMATION
Loaded kit : ---
INFO
Remaining cycles : 0

MACHINE INFORMATIONS
Serial number: 0000 20/02/2012 15:09:31
Software version : 02:41 / 02:14 / V305
Filter autonomy : 61h INIT

PROFILES
Current session : XXX PROFILES

RAL Stainer filter cartridges are available from your RAL Diagnostics reseller.
• 38 • RAL Stainer User guide
 12.4 DECONTAMINATION

All biological samples should be considered to be potentially dangerous. The contact between
contaminated hands and the appliance can cause the contamination of the appliance.

Before an operation of decontamination, unplug the mains power supply cable.

Use the adapted personal protective equipment : laboratory gloves, laboratory glasses and a
laboratory coat.

Decontamination solutions advised:

- Steranios of the Laboratoires Anios
- Elusept of Pierre Fabre Santé
- Ethanol
- ...

If your laboratory procedures require it:

RAL STAINER

- the reagent bottles can be decontaminated before being disposed of;

- the appliance itself and its accessories (slide-holder, rinsing station) can be decontaminated using air or
manual cleaning. Use a decontamination solution and scrub using a clean cloth soaked in the disinfecting
agent all the apparatus parts : surfaces, draining nozzle, hydraulic system. Please see section 12.1 and
12.2.

- T he effluents and their containers are to be eliminated and/or decontaminated in compliance with current
laboratory best practices. The procedure will depend on the type of effluent container you are using.

RAL Stainer 10L jerrycan: decontamination using air or manual cleaning

In all cases respect the laboratory best practices applied by your laboratory.
The use of organic solvents is under the responsibility of the user and may cause the discolouring
of certain parts of the appliance as well as the alteration of some plastic parts.

• 39 • RAL Stainer User guide

 13 CONSUMABLES AND OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT

13.1 CONSUMABLES

Consumable name Description Renewal

Pack of slide-holder RAL Stainer (x3) 6 months

RAL STAINER

Filter cartridge RAL Stainer 62 hours

Rinse station RAL Stainer Once a year

RAL Stainer 10L jerrycan

• 40 • RAL Stainer User guide

 14 MAINTENANCE

Maintenance must be carried out by a technician approved by RAL Diagnostics.

In addition, please refer to your maintenance agreement to know the maintenance services provided with
RAL Stainer.
RAL STAINER

15 AFTER-SALES SERVICES

If your RAL Stainer should be returned to your RAL Diagnostics representative workshop, it must be
decontaminated.

The decontamination declaration joined with your apparatus should be well filled in and added to the
equipment for the acceptation in the workshop.

• 41 • RAL Stainer User guide

 16 TROUBLESHOOTING

16.1 ERROR MESSAGES

Message Diagnostic Solution

The Best Before Date for your kit has exceeded. Change the staining kit. It is possible to continue with this
Warning BBD expired kit but the results are no longer guaranteed.

Carbon filter is used Saturated activated carbon Change the activated carbon filter.

Tag error Defective RFID chip. Replace the staining kit. Contact your distributor.

TAG Reading (continuously) Change the staining kit. If the problem is not solved,
Or error reader see section 16.2.
RAL STAINER

RFID reader not connected Contact your distributor.

RFID error Turn off the appliance and then turn it back on. If
the problem persists, contact your distributor.
RFID chip unread. (Note: if the message is in red, Check the presence and position of RFID chip, orientation
Load a staining kit the expiry date has passed). of the bottle in 1, see section 10.2.1.

Incorrect SID Tag Change the staining kit.

Motor board error The arm does not find its initialization. Is the cover closed?
Turn off the appliance and then turn it back on.
If the problem persists, contact your distributor.

Faulty filling of the rinsing tank Problem in the filling pump (filling is delayed). Check that the hydraulic circuit is not disconnected at
There may be air in the circuit, a leak or a any point.
connection problem. Turn off the appliance and then turn it back on.
If the problem persists, contact your distributor.

Step loss on THETA Slide holder incorrectly placed in the drawer. Turn off the appliance and then turn it back on.
Code 200 Reagent lid not properly closed during an operation. Check that the arm is operating correctly by simulating a
Slides incorrectly placed on the holder. staining kit change.
Drainage nozzle incorrectly placed on its holder. If the problem persists, contact your distributor.

Empty staining tank The level of one of the reagents in the bottle is Change the staining kit.
Code 1 + tank number +2 not sufficient.

Step loss on Z Open the cover on the Settings page.

Code R - 151 This can happen when the level detection Check that the rinsing tank is not dirty. If so, clean it.
cannot be carried out at the rinsing tank.
Correct the fault by opening the rotating cover.
Code X - 1+X +1 = Step loss on Slide holder incorrectly placed in the drawer. Turn off the appliance and then turn it back on.
Z during the descent to tank x. Reagent lid not properly closed during an Check that the arm is operating correctly by simulating a
X = tank number. operation. staining kit change.
Example : 3 - 131 : Step loss on Slides incorrectly placed on the holder. If the problem persists, contact your distributor.
Z during the descent to tank 3. Drainage nozzle incorrectly placed on its
holder.

Waste container full Empty the waste container.

Slide drawers open Check that the slide drawers are correctly closed.

Reagent drawers open Check that the reagent drawers are correctly closed.

Staining autonomy = 0 Change the staining kit.

Call a service engineer Contact your distributor.

• 42 • RAL Stainer User guide
 16.2 WHAT TO DO WHEN ...?
Problem encountered Observation Origin Solution

Screen off with power up Appliance on standby? Standby button was Press the standby button for 2
pressed. seconds.

Screen board blue LED turns on ON/OFF too fast. Repeat ON/OFF If the system
(visible by opening USB port). Non-working screen. is not restored, contact your
distributor.

Faulty or disconnected Contact your distributor.

Blue LED not turned on. power cable.
Non-working screen
board.
RAL STAINER

Power supply board green LED not Check power cable.

turned on. Non-working fuse or
power supply board.

No reaction of the touch screen. No "beep" for support and unable Turn off the appliance and then
to enter the code again. turn it back on. If the system
is not restored, contact your
distributor.

Incorrect reaction of the touch Turn off the appliance and then
screen. turn it back on. If the system
is not restored, contact your
distributor.

Client access codes no longer Data loss (or Turn off the appliance and then
work. deletion). turn it back on. If the system
is not restored, contact your
distributor.

No general operation. Go to the Maintenance page. Communication Contact your distributor.

•If the status of sensors are not problem between
indicated (red digits). screen board and
motor board.

•If the red digits are displayed on The power can be cut Check that the cover is closed.
the maintenance page. off by the cover safety If the system is not restored,
sensor which is not contact your distributor.
activated.

Tag reading not possible. Check that the LED on the RFID If the LED is turned Try another kit.
"Tag reading" message very board is turned on and, in the info on. If the system is not restored,
long. page, check if the software version contact your distributor.
is correct. See section 8.2.4.

If the LED is off. Contact your distributor.

Staining begins, but the slides The lubricant has solidified due to a Use the function "Load/Change
are found in the appliance. long period of inactivity. staining kit" several times to
operate the arm.

The slides are not inserted Check and/or replace the slide
correctly. holder.

One of the position settings is to Contact your distributor.

be reset.

• 43 • RAL Stainer User guide

 Problem encountered Observation Origin Solution

The slides are poorly rinsed. The rinsing solution is Inversion of Change the rinsing solution.
contaminated. containers? Empty the tank in the protocol
more often. Clean the hydraulic
circuit. If the fault persists, there
may be a fault with the drain
pump. Contact your distributor.

Overflow of the rinsing tank. The arm is not working properly. Contact your distributor.
RAL STAINER

Variation in soaking of slides. There is liquid on the neck of the The level sensor Clean the neck and wait for 10
bottles. detects the liquid minutes (stability).
on the neck before If the problem persists, contact
detecting the actual your distributor.
level of reagent.

Opening/closing an incorrect One of the position settings is to Contact your distributor.

lid. be reset.

Major oscillation of the slide Too much space Slightly tighten the hooks.
holders during movements. between the hooks
and the slide holders.

Frequent or systematic Lubrication problem. Contact your distributor.

message "Z step loss".

A loading drawer refuses to Bad adjustment of the lock. Contact your distributor.
open/close itself

Unable to load the Traceability Malfunctioning or Use the USB stick provided with
program on the USB stick. incorrectly formatted the equipment.
USB stick. Try to format it (FAT/FAT16 and
FAT32).

The file "TRACE.txt" is TRACE must be written in CAPS.

not or poorly created
on the USB stick.

• 44 • RAL Stainer User guide

 17 SUMMARY OF TIPS

At all times it is possible to change users by clicking on the icon

See section 8.2.3.
A strict use of this tool makes it possible to enrich traceability related to the use of the machine.

RAL Stainer permanently checks the level of the rinsing liquid and notifies you when the level
becomes critical.
RAL STAINER

RAL Stainer makes it possible to limit the volume of your effluents. You choose whether to drain the
rinsing liquid after each dip. If you choose never to drain the rinsing liquid during a cycle, RAL
Stainer will request the draining frequency by the question :
"How many cycles before draining rinsing water?" Enter the value.

If two stainings are launched, the arm will begin the second staining after having dropped the first
slide holder back to its initial position. Before the second cycle begins, you can retrieve an awaiting
slide holder to add or change a slide by pressing on the lock button.
You can retrieve the first batch of slides after drying while the second batch is being stained.
The slide holder can be retrieved while drying is in progress.

• 45 • RAL Stainer User guide

 18 INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

The RAL Stainer model is a community model registered under the n° 001733361-001.

It is prohibited, unless explicitly authorised by RAL Diagnostics in writing, to manufacture, propose, put on the
market, import, export, use or possess a product including the model for the same purposes.
RAL STAINER

• 46 • RAL Stainer User guide

 19 EC DECLARATION
RAL STAINER

• 47 • RAL Stainer User guide

 20 INDEX

A R
Activated carbon filter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Rights management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Autoclean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Rinsing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Rinsing solution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
C
S
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Settings page. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
D Setting up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Decontamination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Slides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Smears. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Staining. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
RAL STAINER

Draining. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Drying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Staining reagents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Standards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
H Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Hydraulic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 T
I Traceability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 U
M User safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Main settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 W
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Warnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
P Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Waste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Power cable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

• 48 • RAL Stainer User guide

RAL Diagnostics - Site Montesquieu - 33650 Martillac - FRANCE
[email protected]
T +33 (0) 557 960 404 - F +33 (0) 557 960 405

www.ral-diagnostics.fr