How to Replenish the Cartridge with Distilled Water

If and when a Water Hydraulic Micromanipulator declines in performance due to a decrease in the volume of water causing a reduction in the movement range of the drive unit, please use the following procedure to replenish the cartridge with distilled water.

Getting Started

Always use distilled water for replenishment.
Make certain you have a disposable syringe (3cc or thereabout), a flat-blade screwdriver and an Allen wrench on hand.
To avoid letting air in, never loosen the sealing screw except when replenishing water.
Check to see which cartridge of three axes (X, Y and Z) needs replenishing.
The vernier control knob incorporating a cartridge can be detached simply by loosening the set screw with an Allen wrench.
There are four ways of detaching the vernier control knob depending on the micromanipulator model, as shown in the illustration. Check to see which method should be applied to your micromanipulator model before starting the procedure.

Type1	Type2


Type3	Type4

Replenish the Cartridge with Distilled Water

Turn the vernier control knob incorporating the cartridge in need of replenishment fully clockwise so as not to let air in when unscrewing the sealing screw.

Unscrew the sealing screw using a flat-blade screwdriver to detach it.

	Turn the control knob clockwise and allow a meniscus of water to form at the injecting nozzle with the aid of surface tension. If turning the control knob will not allow a meniscus of water to form at the injecting nozzle, allow the syringe (filled with distilled water) to drip water into the injecting nozzle so as to form a meniscus of water. A meniscus of water formed at the injecting nozzle prevents the entry of air (bubbles).
	Insert the tip of a syringe filled with water into the injecting nozzle. Applying pressure to the syringe, turn the vernier control knob fully counterclockwise so as not to let air in.
	If air bubbles come out in the tube, push or pull the syringe slowly without turning the control knob in order to purge air from the tube. In this procedure, allow the tube connecting part at the cartridge to face downward to facilitate purging air. After purging air, putting pressure on the syringe again, turn the control knob fully counterclockwise in order to replenish with water. Repeating this procedure a few times permits removing air bubbles completely.
	After injecting water, remove the syringe. Ensure that the injecting nozzle is filled with water full to the brim by surface tension.

Being careful not to admit air, put the sealing screw back on and fasten it securely with a flat-blade screwdriver.

Caution!

If the cartridge is overfilled with water, the vernier control knob may feel tighter when turning toward the maximum working range. In that case, drain some water or use the instrument within the working range before the knob gets tight. If the knob is turned forcedly, the diaphragm inside the driving mechanism will break, thus causing the instrument to malfunction.

In Closing

By turning the vernier control knob clockwise close to "0" on the graduated scale, the drive unit should start moving. If it won't move, repeat the above procedures.

If the knob stops turning halfway through a task, the cartridge may be overfilled with water. In that case, loosen the sealing screw slightly to drain excessive water, being careful not to let air in. If accidentally too much water drains out, repeat the above procedures.
If the knob stops turning in the region of "10" on the graduated scale, you may leave it as it stands. A small amount of excessive water should not be a problem as it gradually evaporates.

If air bubbles come out in the tube, push or pull the syringe slowly without turning the control knob in order to purge air from the tube. In this procedure, allow the tube connecting part at the cartridge to face downward to facilitate purging air. After purging air, putting pressure on the syringe again, turn the control knob fully counterclockwise in order to replenish with water. Repeating this procedure a few times permits removing air bubbles completely.

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