I received the KingFisher Flex/KingFisher Duo Prime tip combs and the retaining clips are bent or broken off. When I try to unbend the retaining clips, they break. Can I still use the tip combs if the retaining clips are bent or broken off?
Do not use the tip combs if the clips are bent or missing. Not having clips can cause the tip comb to drop from the holder during the run, which would cause the run to abort. If you received tip combs with bent or broken retaining clips, you can contact Technical Support at techsupport@thermofisher.com to request a free-of-charge replacement.
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Automated Nucleic Acid Purification Support Center.
What should I do if the tip comb does not load correctly onto my Thermo Scientific KingFisher system?
If the tip does not load correctly onto a Thermo Scientific KingFisher magnetic head, we recommend that you try manually flexing the tips both lengthwise and widthwise to level the tip comb. A video of flexing the tip comb can be found here: https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/dna-rna-purification-analysis/automated-purification-extraction/kingfisher-systems/resources.html. The video is under "KingFisher Flex" and titled "How to install the magnet head and check the tip comb." Flexing of the tip comb is demonstrated at timepoint 1:35. If that does not work, try a different box or lot of tips. This applies to all KingFisher instruments.
Can I use the same tips and plates for the KingFisher Flex instrument with the 96-well magnetic head and the MagMAX Express-96 instrument magnetic head?
Yes, the KingFisher Flex instrument 96-well magnetic head and the MagMAX Express-96 instrument magnetic head can use the same tip combs and KingFisher plates even though the magnetic heads are different.
Do I have to buy any additional consumables along with the MagMAX kits if I want to use them on the KingFisher Flex instrument?
Yes, depending on the kind of protocol and head that is used, the following consumables will have to be purchased:
- KingFisher 96 deep-well plate (Cat. No. 95040450)
- KingFisher 96 deep-well plate, sterile (Cat. No. 95040460)
- KingFisher 96 tip comb for deep-well (Cat. No. 97002534)
- KingFisher 96 deep-well tip comb and plate, sterile (Cat. No. 97002820)
- KingFisher 96 microplate (200 μL) (Cat. No. 97002540)
- KingFisher 96 tip comb (Cat. No. 97002524)
- MicroAmp Clear Adhesive Film (optional) (Cat. No. 4306311
I see that the KingFisher 24 Deep Well Head has a processing volume of 5 mL. Does that mean that I can process up to 5 mL of my sample?
No, the processing volume refers to the maximum volume that can be held in the 24 Deep Well plates. This incorporates the volume of binding buffers and beads, so when scaling up reaction volumes, it is important to make sure that the total volume does not exceed 5 mL.
