Relocating a Shasta Synthesizer

This guide explains how to prepare, move, and recommission a Sierra BioSystems Shasta synthesizer. It covers two situations: a move within the same lab (a few benches over) and a move to a different floor, building, or site.

NOTE: A Shasta holds flammable, corrosive synthesis chemistry under gas pressure. Every move starts with the Long-Term Shutdown procedure, which clears and depressurizes the fluid lines and chamber. Do not disconnect, lift, or transport an instrument that has not been shut down.

Applies to

Shasta synthesizers, all serial numbers.

Audience: customers and their facilities or lab teams, and Sierra BioSystems FSEs and FASs.

The two move types

In-lab move. Same room, moving a few benches over. Services (argon, waste, vent) stay in the same space and the instrument does not leave the controlled environment.
Facility move. A different floor, a different building, or a different site. The instrument leaves the bench and travels, and services must be re-established at the destination.

Who can perform the move

In-lab move. The instrument must be moved on a hydraulic lift and re-leveled, so a Sierra FSE should perform or supervise the move. Facilities staff may assist under Sierra guidance after the Long-Term Shutdown.
Facility move. Sierra recommends the move be performed or supervised by a Sierra FSE, with a hydraulic lift, re-leveling, and full post-move verification.

Before you begin

Confirm the destination is ready: a level bench rated at least 300 lb with at least 34 in (864 mm) of overhead clearance for the chamber door, a dedicated 1.5 kVA power line, Argon Grade 5 supply, waste and vent handling, and relative humidity held below 50% RH.
Gather PPE (safety glasses, gloves, lab coat) and work in or near a fume hood. Have the current SDS for each reagent and amidite on hand.
Back up the system database, saved to an external drive or network location.
Arrange a hydraulic lift rated for at least 1,500 lb and personnel to guide the move.

WARNING: Pressurized gas and flammable reagents. Disconnecting a fitting or bottle while the system is pressurized can cause reagent spray, chemical exposure, and injury. Complete the Long-Term Shutdown and confirm all gauges read zero before disconnecting anything.

Step 1. Shut down and clear the fluid lines

Complete the Long-Term Shutdown procedure in Chapter 6 of the Shasta User Manual (Section 6.10). This clears the lines and depressurizes the chamber and bottle pathways. Follow each on-screen prompt and depressurize the bottles only when prompted.

WARNING: Never turn off the high-pressure gas supply while reagent or amidite bottles are still pressurized. Depressurize the bottles first, at the point the shutdown procedure prompts you.

Step 2. Decommission and disconnect (uninstall)

Uninstall per Section 4.9 of the Shasta User Manual:

Complete the Long-Term Shutdown (Step 1).
Power off the instrument at the rear-panel switch. Save open data and power off the control computer.
Disconnect the power cord from the instrument first, then from the wall.
Disconnect the Ethernet cord from the instrument first, then from the computer.
Disconnect the gas supply line
Disconnect the waste outlet and any vent lines from the waste container
Disconnect the monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Bag and label all cords and accessories.

Step 3. Lift and transport

WARNING: The Shasta weighs approximately 300 lb (136 kg). Attempting to lift or carry it by hand can cause serious injury or drop damage. Move the Shasta only with a hydraulic lift rated for at least 1,500 lb. Center the instrument over the forks, keep the lift low while in motion, and keep the instrument vertical and level at all times.

Center the Shasta over the lift forks in both width and depth. The weight is evenly distributed; use a direct, balanced vertical lift.
Keep the instrument near the ground while moving it to the destination.
Facility move: pad or crate the instrument and secure it against shock. Confirm doorway, elevator, and loading-dock clearances before the move. Keep the instrument vertical in transit and secure the control computer and monitor separately.

Step 4. Reinstall at the destination

Using the hydraulic lift, lower the Shasta onto the bench so all four feet are seated flat. Verify the instrument is level and stable before connecting any services.
Reconnect power to the instrument and reconnect the control computer, monitor, and Ethernet.
Reconnect the gas supply (Argon Grade 5, 99.999% or higher; about 50 psi, 40 to 70 psi acceptable) and uncap the gas inlet.
Reconnect the waste line.
Reinstall the reagent and amidite bottles. Allow the AMIDITES and REAGENTS pressures to equalize for 10 to 15 minutes after installing bottles.
Leak-check all fittings.

Step 5. Recommission and verify

Initialize the software and run the Pressure Test. A drop of more than 1 psi in 1 minute is a fail; resolve leaks before proceeding.
Open Calibrate Pressure and set the zero point with the chamber open to air, then verify chamber pressure.

Calibrate the dispense valves and verify the XY stage.
Run a short verification run before returning the instrument to production.

PM and calibration: pre-move or post-move

In-lab move: post-move verification is recommended (Pressure Test, dispense-valve calibration, verification run). A post-move PM is optional.
Facility move: post-move PM and calibration are recommended before the instrument returns to service. A pre-move baseline is optional.

Typical turnaround

Contact Sierra BioSystems to schedule a move. A typical lead time from receipt of a purchase order to a scheduled move date is about 2 to 4 weeks subject to field engineer availability and, for facility moves, crating and freight coordination. Confirm the current lead time with Sierra when you request scheduling.

Site requirements (quick reference)

Weight and bench: approximately 300 lb (136 kg); bench rated at least 300 lb with at least 34 in (864 mm) overhead clearance for the chamber door.
Relative humidity: keep below 50% RH.
Temperature: 16 to 22 C recommended.
Power: 120 to 240 VAC on a dedicated 1.5 kVA line.
Gas: Argon Grade 5 (99.999% or higher), about 50 psi (40 to 70 psi acceptable).