Pipette Education

Original Replacement Parts Spare parts manufactured by Gilson are products of intensive research and stringent quality control, guaranteed to deliver value and assure reliability and precision over the long run. Conversely, counterfeiters cut corners on technical studies and quality control to slash costs. Appearances can be deceptive, these look-alike parts are often poorly finished, made to a poorer standard of low quality materials offering less durability as well as less thermal and chemical resistance. Their coarse design cannot be compared with the real thing. They find a privileged sales outlet with unscrupulous multi-brand service centers. Tip-holders, tip-ejectors, pistons, seals and O-rings are the preferred counterfeit parts.   Stringent quality control, guaranteed to deliver value and assure reliability and precision over the long run.   Systematic (+/-μL) for Pipetman P1000 200 μL 500 μL 1000 μL Pipetman 1 0.1 0.1 0.5 Pipetman 2 0.1 0.2 0.3 CSP1 (PBT) 0.2 0.5 0.7 CSP2 (PS) 0.4 0.8 0.8 Figure1: Comparison of the systematic error at three different volumes of a Pipetman P1000 fitted with original Gilson tip-holders and counterfeits. Counterfeit tip-holders CSP1 & CSP2 respectively made of PBT and PS deteriorate the accuracy of the pipette by a factor of 2. To view the complete “Counterfeit Parts and Pipettes” document from Gilson, please click here.       Pipette Ergonomics Find out more about ergonomics     Chemical Compatibility Chart (PDF) View the Chart     Pipette Decontamination View the PDF     The Proper Way to Load Pipette Tips See the proper way to load your tips onto both your single channel and multi-channel pipettes. Load Your Pipette Tip Properly   Symptoms of Improper Use and Maintenance Solutions Pipetman® pipettes are easy to maintain. They can be easily dismantled and cleaned right in your own laboratory. Original Gilson replacement parts are always available from Mandel. Expert servicing is available from recalibration to a complete overhaul. Gilson pipettes will ensure the highest possible accuracy and precision, year after year. Here are a few symptoms of improper use and solutions to keep maintenance costs down. Leaking at the Base of the Tip Worn Piston Jamming of the Operation Rod Poor, inconsistent Results Corrosion or Staining Caring for your Pipette View or print the Gilson Pipetman® Two-minute Inspection
Problem	1. Leaking at the Base of the Tip
Solution	Use genuine Gilson tips Not only do Gilson tips offer the finest quality but they are also the only tips designed specifically for Pipetman. A special sealing ring assures a perfect fit which is the only way to obtain results which systematically conform with Pipetman specifications. Check the tip holder Check the tip holder for scratches, wear, cracks or dirt at the point where the tip fits on. Dirty tip holders should be cleaned in a weak cleansing solution. Those with stubborn stains or scratches should be replaced. Check for blockages in the end of the tip holder. Removal of dirt or other foreign matter should be restricted to washing or lightly tapping on a bench. Never attempt to dig out blockages with a sharp tool. Top
Problem	2. Worn Piston
Solution	Make sure the pipette is being used correctly A worn piston can sometimes be temporarily corrected by replacing the seal and the 'O' ring. However, more often this indicates that the piston has become severely corroded due to improper use of the instrument and should be replaced. A piston should only be replaced by a qualified Gilson representative. Top
Problem	3. Jamming of the Operation Rod
Solution	Careful handling When the push-button is depressed, the action should be smooth. If this is not the case, the operating rod maybe damaged or bent (this can occur when a pipette is dropped). The rod needs to be replaced and the pipette should be recalibrated. A rod should only be replaced by a qualified Gilson representative. Top
Problem	4. Poor, Inconsistent Results
Solution	Change the piston seal and the 'O' ring Worn piston seals and 'O' rings can cause leaking and lead to inaccuracies. A good seal should move freely about the piston with a slight resistance to sliding. It should never drop freely under its own weight. Pipetman seals will withstand a minimum of 100,000 operations. But if they show any signs of wear or collected dirt particles, both the seal and 'O' ring should be changed.   Top
Problem	5. Corrosion or Staining
Solution	Never leave pipettes on their side with liquid still in the tip When not in use, pipettes should be placed vertically on a stable pipette stand such as the Gilson Carrousel™ or a Single™ wall-hanger. Otherwise liquid will run back into the tip holder and possibly damage the piston. Operate with care Like all precision instruments, Pipetman needs to be operated with care. If the push-button is allowed to spring back too quickly, the pistons will be splashed causing possible corrosion.   Top