4.2 Sample loading

 

In order for the rotor to spin stable and fast, the rotor has to be well balanced. Load the sample loosely into the rotor barrel and tap the rotor lightly on a hard surface. Do not attempt to pack the material tightly into the spinner. If you wish to add more sample into the rotor, it is better to spin up the rotor first, so that the sample is packed against the walls of the barrel, and then add additional material.

 

Liquid or viscous samples are easily loaded using a syringe or a small pipette. Solvent swelling can be done with the powdered sample in the rotor.

 

Push the rotor cap on all the way; if the cap is improperly positioned the rotor may not spin. Clean the outside of the rotor with a tissue, so that no sample ends up in the MAS stator. Mark half of the beveled rim on the bottom of the rotor with a black marker for optical spin rate detection.

 

For loading samples using spherical inserts, see Appendix B or the instruction sheet that came with the inserts.