Hi Clemens,
Thanks. Clearly I should've asked Jane first - she's already responded
to me, end it turns out these dummy samples were machined by her husband
Chuck. I think I'm going to take your suggestion. The shape of the
spinner portion of these dummy samples isn't quite the same as normal
spinners. I think that's why they get stuck in the mechanism.
-Robert
On 2026-01-26 12:18, Anklin, Clemens via groups.io wrote:
> Hi Robert
>
> these look like they come from a previous generation of sample changer.
> They do not make a lot of sense with the SampleCase.
>
> In case you want to have something int he magnet when nothing is running
> you are probably better off using a empty tube with a regular spinner.
>
> With best regards
>
> Clemens
>
>
> On 1/26/2026 1:55 PM, Robert Peterson via groups.io wrote:
>>
>> Hi everybody,
>>
>> I have an annoying problem that's becoming more and more frequent: dummy
>> samples getting stuck in our SampleCase sample changers.
>>
>> See the attached picture. We've always had users insert dummy samples
>> into the magnet after they're done running their experiments (if no one
>> is waiting to get on the instrument). The dummy samples that we've been
>> using for the last several years are these solid black combination
>> spinner/samples. I'm pretty sure we got them from Bruker, but I can't
>> find them anywhere on the Bruker website so maybe they've been
>> discontinued.
>>
>> We've always had a problem where are these dummies samples get stuck in
>> the SampleCases. It's most often during the process of ejecting the
>> sample - the dummy sample gets stuck in the mechanism as it tries to
>> drop it back down onto the sample holder. When that happens, someone has
>> to go up on a ladder and gently push it down so that it will drop. It
>> occasionally get stuck above the magnet, which is harder to deal with.
>> A
>> separate problem is that it often has trouble inserting the dummy sample
>> into the magnet - the sample descends into the magnet but never reaches
>> the bottom and gets detected. Then the system ejects the sample (all the
>> way back out onto the sample rack) and then tries to re-insert it.
>> Sometimes it goes through this cycle three or four times before it
>> finally goes in and the system detects it.
>>
>> These types of insert/eject problems almost never happen with ordinary
>> samples.
>>
>> The main problem (where the dummy sample gets stuck in the mechanism as
>> it tries to drop it back down onto the sample holder) used to happen a
>> couple times a week, but recently it's been happening several times a
>> day. Has anyone else experienced this? Is there some maintenance I can
>> do on the SampleCase to prevent this kind of thing? Or is this type of
>> dummy sample just problematic (possibly the reason that Bruker
>> discontinued them)? What type of dummy sample do people recommend
>> using?
>> Or are dummy samples not really necessary on heavily used instruments?
>>
>> Thanks in advance, and I'll summarize any responses.
>>
>> -Robert
>>
>>
> --
> =========================
==========================
=====================
> Clemens Anklin Ph.D. Vice President
> Bruker BioSpin NMR Applications & Training
> 15 Fortune Drive NEW Phone: 978-313-5NMR(5667)
> Billerica MA 01821 bluesky: _at_canklin.bsky.social
> web: http://www.bruker.com
> e-mail: clemens.anklin_at_bruker.com
> =========================
==========================
=====================
>
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Received on Mon Jan 26 2026 - 15:12:39 MST