Cleaning the buffer tube

All required materials for this procedure are provided in the support kit.

Required materials

  • Buffer fluid

  • Syringe with a stopper and needle

  • Syringe kickstand

Cleaning the buffer tube by aspirating the buffer oil

Step Description Images

1

Remove the antifouling mesh assembly

2

Clean the buffer tube assembly

  1. Insert the needle into the buffer tube assembly, all the way

  2. Draw out the plunger of the syringe past the 10ml point

  3. Install the syringe kickstand so that it cups the plunger and supports it in the drawn-out position; the syringe will brace against the flange on the plunger and the barrel

The syringe will draw up oil and any particles until the assembly is empty, and then, it will draw air.
syringe
kickstand

3

Refill the buffer tube assembly

Cleaning the buffer tube by purging with buffer oil

Debris can be removed from the buffer tube assembly by purging the assembly with buffer oil. This method will consume more oil, but it may be more effective in some situations.

Step Description

1

Prepare the instrument and the syringe

  1. Remove the antifouling mesh assembly

  2. Remove the instrument from the foam stand and lay it on its side

  3. Fill the syringe and de-gas the buffer oil

2

Clean the buffer tube assembly

  1. Insert the needle into the buffer tube assembly, all the way

  2. Depress the plunger and flush the buffer tube assembly

  3. With the syringe still in the pressure port, stand the instrument with the port up

  4. While depressing the plunger, remove the syringe

3

Refill the buffer tube assembly