Note that the ‘tip comb’ plate 5 is the empty tip combs placed in an empty standard (shallow) plate. This is placed into the machine first (the screen on the machine tells you which plate to load in – starts on plate 5 and works backwards). When loading in your plates, make sure the A1 of the plate lines up with the A1 indicated in the plate holder of the machine. When placed in, the plates can ‘bounce’ when pressed in lightly. There is no clicking sound or fast securing of the plates in the machine so no need to use force. Close the door of the machine each time you’ve loaded in your plate then press ‘start’ and the machine will move the rotator around so you can place your next plate in (which will also be displayed on the machines screen). Remember you add the plates in the following order: plate 5,4,3,2,1, sample plate.