MagiXstickTM
- the ultimate electro-magnetic pin holder
Ever despaired when rearraying crystal harvesting
pins and the pins stuck together when using a simple permanent magnet
stick? Repetitive motion injury from ejecting the pins with your
thumb? Lack of precise control with the permanent magnet holder?
You need MagiXstick.
Developed for in-house use at q.e.d. labs,
MagiXstickTM (patent pending) is an electromagnetic pin holder with
footswitch control that allows precise and reliable
manipulation of
magnetic protein crystal harvesting pins. Much more controllable than a permanent
magnet, MagiXstickTM allows you to exchange and rearray
pins,
harvest crystals, and place pins in precise fashion in any liquid
nitrogen storage pucks. We use the same magnetic pin holders in our
crystal harvesting robots. A must-have just for
re-arraying pins by size, shape, etc.
The
MagiXstickTM:
The MagiXstick
itself: The stick harbors a specially designed
and machined electromagnet which is powered so that it safely
holds the pins while it can be even continuously powered without
significant heating. The magnet fits all commonly used
soft-magentic mounting pin bases.
The control box:
Powered by a simple AC/DC wall converter, the control box
supplies the magnet with stabilized voltage and sends specific
modulation signals for proper pin pickup/release counteracting
magnetic remanence of the pin base. Do not
unplug/plug the stick or the control box from/to the audio cable
when the control box is powered.
Use of the
MagiXstick:
Make sure the control box is unpowered and disconnected from the
AC/DC wall adapter (power supply). Connect the stick to the box
with the 6 ft mono audio cable. THEN connect the control box to
the power supply. A green light illuminates when the box is
powered. You can keep the stick and the box connected at all
times, there is no need to disassemble the components after use.
Place the box under the table.
The green light should be on. If you step (not stomp) on the red
button, a red light comes on, and the magent is energized.
Stepping on the black button sends the release signal and turns
the magnet and the red light off. Should the red light be
illuminated right away, push the black button first. Self-adhesive
super-sticky rubber pads are attached to the bottom
of the box. You can customize the box position and try to place various rests for your heel
such as a brick or woodblock in front of the box to make the
footswitch operation optimally convenient for you.
Harvest and
mount as usual. Place the stick into the
depression of a mounting pin. The magnet should be perpendicular
to the pin base for proper pick-up. Step on the red button, harvest and/or manipulate
as desired. Place the pin into a LN2-submerged puck as usual.
Step on the black button to release the pin. Very easy. Like any
scientific instrument, please
keep the MagiXstickTMclean and dry
and blot any mositure/condensation off prior
to extended storage.
Easiest way to order: For US
orders, from my web
store using secure PayPal
checkout (accepts also credit
cards). International orders: RoHS compliant model available -
please
inquire. California
orders will be charged 9.75%
sales tax, otherwise tax exemption code must be provided. Purchase orders: Please click here for
quote by
email. Please provide complete billing address in that
case.
Visit the web store:
Contents of package: (1) MagiXstick, (2)
Control box, (3) 6 ft cable, (4) AC/DC power adapter (110 V
in USA)
Warranty:
There are no user serviceable components
in this practically indestructible instrument. Each
MagiXstickTM is calibarated and tested for quality assurance. If something breaks, its is
probably because you did not follow the instructions. Please read the instructions,
all of them, in the right sequence.
Disclaimer: Absolutely NO responsibility
for any damages, consequentially, incidentally, or otherwise caused
by the use of this product. Warranty limited to product replacement.
Not for children under the age of 3.
Warranty: 30 days
full replacement and return warranty. If a component breaks, you have probably dropped it, stepped on it, or
thrown it at somebody, all of which voids the warranty. Design
changes as a consequence of product improvment are possible.
Comments and suggestions for improvement
are welcome.
Absolutely guaranteed to
break it (I):
Never ever
unplug/plug the stick or the control box from/into the audio cable
while
the stick is powered. Doning so can destroy the electronics. ALWAYS disconnect the power
supply before connecting or disconnecting the
MagiXstick to/from
the control box. I really mean it. You will need to ship a fried
box back for board replacement.
Absolutely guaranteed to
break it (II): Competely submerging
the stick in LN2 and then dropping it onto a hard floor or desk.
Ditto, submerging or exposing the control box to LN2, water, buffer,
solvents etc.
Absolutely guaranteed to
break it (eventually): Keep
the MagiXstick dry between uses. Blot any condensation or
moisture off prior
to storage, or the magnet might over time corrode. We sell
replacement sticks. Don't stomp on the box. Light touch
suffices.
The MagiXstickTM is proudly manufactured in the
U.S.A. by immigrant labor and distributed
exclusively by
q.e.d.
life science discoveries.
Designed by Bernhard Rupp. Please contact
Art Robbins directly for pricing and quotes of
the
CrysCam systems.