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MCS Program (Multiple Column Screening)

As described on the MCCPS System page, the MCS Program is designed to efficiently screen multiple columns to accelerate the method development process.  As you make repeated injections of your sample with ChemStation (or equivalent Chromatographic Data System), the MCS Program will cycle through the columns installed on the Column Selector Unit.  At the end of the run, you will have chromatographic data available for each column, greatly accelerating your method development. For a full list of features and functionality (like saving/loading configurations, etc.) please download the MCCPS System User's Manual from the Downloads Page.

 

The following will briefly walk you through how to use the MCS Program and illuminate how it works alongside your HPLC System and the MCCPS System Column Selector Unit.

 

1.  Creating a Sequence Subdirectory within ChemStation

2.  Completing a Sequence Table for the Screening Process within ChemStation

3.  Defining the Folder Path of the Subdirectory within the MCS Program

4.  Coordinating Injections in the MCS Program

5.  Starting MCS Program and Beginning the Method/Sequence in ChemStation

 

 

Creating a Sequence Subdirectory within ChemStation

In the Sequence Parameters window in ChemStation, you are able to define the Subdirectory in which the chromatographic data files from this run will be saved.  

 

For the MCS Program to coordinate injections with columns, it needs to know when the HPLC System is making an injection.  By creating a subdirectory for this particular run, we create a folder that the MCS Program can scan for new folders which ChemStation creates to contain information for each sequence line in this run.

 

 

*Make a note of the file path and subdirectory as it is required to configure the MCS Program below.  In the example to the right, the file path would be

C:\Chem32\1\DATA\OJ-TEST-NEW-3

 

Completing a Sequence Table for the Screening Process within ChemStation

Assuming a screening process involving ten injections into ten unique columns, you will need to complete a sequence table with one injection per sequence line.  It is essential that each sequence line is set for 1 Injection/Vial and has a unique Datafile name.

 

When ChemStation initiates a sequence line, it creates a folder (within the previously defined Subdirectory) with the name defined in the Datafile parameter.  This folder will contain all the chromatographic information related to this sequence line.  

 

The MCS Program scans the Subdirectory for these new Datafile folders and uses the creation of these folders as triggers to coordinate injections with columns you wish to screen.  As such, it is important to ensure that no sequence lines have the same Datafile name: This has a dual purpose of preventing data overwrite and ensuring the correct coordination of injections.

 

 

Defining the Folder Path of the Subdirectory within the MCS Program

Now that ChemStation is set up accordingly, the MCS Program must be configured to watch ChemStation.  From the MCS Program, click Preferences>>Set Folder Path.  In the newly opened Browse for Folder window, find and select the Subdirectory you defined earlier.

 

 

Coordinating Injections in the MCS Program

The next step involves coordinating column selection with injections, and is easily completed by filling in the excel table in the MCS Program.  The following explains what information you will need to input in this process (refer to the image below):

 

  • The left-most column represents the Injection # that you are coordinating.

  • The COM-# column serves to define which Column Selector Unit you wish to send commands to.  Users will usually have only one Column Selector Unit, and the COM-# associated with this unit becomes clear during installation.

  • The Port-# column serves to define which Port on that Column Selector Unit you wish the flow from injections to pass through.  

 

In the Example below, the First Injection (COM-1 Port-1) will flow through the Primesep A Column, the Second Injection (COM-1 Port-2) will flow through the Primesep 100 Column, the Seventh Injection (COM-1 Port-7) will flow through the Primesep SB Column, etc.

 

 

Starting the MCS Program and Beginning the Method/Sequence in ChemStation

At this point, ChemStation's sequence table has been configured, the Subdirectory in which the injection data will be stored is defined, the MCS Program is set to monitor said Subdirectory, and the MCS Program is configured to coordinate injections through their appropriate columns.

 

To begin the screening process, simply Start the MCS Program and then begin the Sequence, defined above, in ChemStation.  Please note that the MCS Program should be started first so that it can be on the lookout for any actions ChemStation takes and respond accordingly.

 

Now, as the HPLC System makes its injections, the MCS Program will coordinate injection flow.  Upon completion, you will have ten chromatograms of your sample injected through ten different columns in the previously defined Subdirectory.  

 

We encourage users to utilize our Chromatogram Stacking Program to easily view all ten chromatograms at once to further accelerate your method development process.

 

 

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