Chapter 1: Introduction

Winchrom 2.0 Ex Chromatography Package blends enhanced features with routine

functions to bring to a chromatographer a powerful package with a friendly user
interface.

Winchrom 2.0 Ex is a graphical user chromatography application that permits you

to use all the routine functions required by a chromatographer. Winchrom 2.0 Ex
can be used in either single or multiple channel configurations depending on the
requirement. It comes along with chromatography interface board or interface
module, required cables and software.

Winchrom 2.0 Ex system allows you to use all the routine functions that are
required by a chromatographer, using a standard PC running Windows, to achieve
the following:

1.1 Preparation
To prepare yourself before collecting the data. Preparing takes care of: -

 Creating, updating or modifying various Method Files that are required for
detection, report generation etc. by the Run and REPROCESS function.

 Customizing report looks by arranging reports columns as desired with

respect to position, width, and accuracy.

 Scheduling a Run and reprocessing jobs by arranging the sample data files
and method files.

1.2 Data Collection

Collecting the data from the chromatograph. It processes the collected data using
the desired Method files and generates the report. Each data channel can be
independently controlled. All quantitation methods like percent, normalization,
internal and external standards are supported. System suitability parameters can
also be reported. Unattended operations can be carried out by using remote start
and batch operations.

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1.3 Post Data Collection
Re-processing already collected data with change in method parameters directly or
in batch process. Stubbing of collected data in deep along with other data files.
This helps to Reprocess the method parameters by re-process function and
Reprocess report with the help of manual base line corrections.

1.4 Product Description

Winchrom 2.0 Ex is committed to facilitate the user all routine functions required
by a chromatographer coupled with friendly user interface for ease of use. The
package has following features:

Method Generation: Chromatography data collection, detection, report generation

depends on various parameters. Parameter values are set into a method file and
are made usable for Run or REPROCESS function.

Report Designer: Report Formatter enables you to customize your report and the
formats. Various columns can be added or deleted, header can be edited and
chromatogram size may be adjusted. Font can be set. A format file is created here
which can then be linked to a method file.

Schedule Editor: An editor used for scheduling the jobs for batch processing. The
sample data files and method files are arranged as desired in the spread sheet
layout. These files are then executed through the table one by one through Run or
REPROCESS.

Graph Customization: Customizes your screen getup by selecting colors of every

object. In case of hardware conditions setup is required, the same is supported
here (like Port Selection, Port Settings, etc).

Run: Collects the data, analyzes it, detects peak and then generates report as per
desired settings. Multi-channel operations are also possible with the facility to
select specific channel (s) for any Run. Every channel can be operated either in
PROCESS mode or COLLECT mode. In Collect mode, data collection and storing in
file is done. Report will not be generated in ‘COLLECT’ mode.

Reprocess: Reprocesss your detection, report generation on collected data on the

desired module. Data and Method files can be loaded, updated modified or stored.
Manual BaseLine adjustment can be done if required.

Batch Processing: It re-processes a list of existing data files without user

intervention. A schedule file is loaded at start of batch. The reprocessing of data
file is executed through the table one step at a time. Other options like export and

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printing are also available here. User can select abort the reprocess or to abort the
entire batch.

Calibration Curves: It is a process of finding out the relation between the amount
of a substance in standard and the response generated by the detector for that
substance after chromatographic separation of the standard mixture. Calibration
curves generated during multilevel calibration can be along with
chromatogram.Selection of different polynomials is possible.

Summary: Performs statistical analysis of a group of data files and gives mean,
SD, RSD values for selected component.

1.5 Pre-requisites
To use this guide, you need a working knowledge of the following:

1. Windows 2000 or higher

2. Chromatography techniques & methods.

1.6 How to Use This Guide

You do not need to read this guide cover-to-cover. It contains procedural
information for each of the Winchrom 2.0 Ex features, and you may be interested in
only some of them at this time. If you look over the Contents page and review the
topics before you start, you may find this guide easier to use.

1.7 Terms and Conventions Used in this Guide

The following conventions are used throughout this guide:

 The first letter of a keyboard key name is a capital and bold, eg., Enter.

 All menu items and options are included in double Quotations, eg., “View”

 Keys that indicate direction represent the corresponding arrow key on the
keyboard, eg., Down.

 When two keys are used together for an operation, they are joined with a (+)
sign. This means that while you hold down one key, you press the other key,
eg., Ctrl+Enter .

 Operating system, workstation, and PC are used generically for products

marketed under proprietary names.

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  Close refers to close any popped up menu or a window by pressing Esc key
or clicking close button or close system menu which is at a top corner of a
window.

 Select refers to choosing a menu by moving arrows keys, positioning the

highlighted bar on it and pressing Enter or clicking on menu and submenu.

 Click refers to pointing the mouse to an object (icon, button etc.) and press
left button of mouse momentarily.

 Double Click refers to pointing the mouse to an object and click twice in
rapid succession.

 Drag refers to pointing the mouse to the object, hold down the left mouse
button and move the mouse with the button pressed.

The following items are used to describe a typical WINDOWS screen:

 Text Box/ Edit Box refers to a box on the screen where user can type text
entries or numeric entries manually in this box. Use normal text-editing
procedures to make changes.

 List Box refers to a box where user can select a listed item by scrolling
through the list and selecting one item. The selected item appears in
highlighted text (and may also appear in the linked text box.)

 Option Button refers to a button where user can select one option from
group of option buttons. (Only one option button can be selected from that
group). Option buttons are round & have dark ended centers when selected.
To remove the selection, select a different option in same group.

 Check Box refers to a box where user can select multiple options from a
group of alternatives. Check boxes are square and contain an X or  when
selected. To deselect a check box , select it.

 Command Button refers to a button where user can complete the

command, cancel the command or open an additional dialog box for more
alternatives. Pressing Enter choose the command button that appears in
bold.

 File Selection refers to open / load an existing file or to save the file with
new name user has to select the proper file name. This is done through
standard File Selector Dialog box.

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1.8 Types Of Files Created/ Used by Winchrom 2.0 Ex
Winchrom 2.0 Ex creates number of files, which are identified by their extensions, a
list of which is given below.

1. *.MET Files with extensions “.MET” are generated by METHOD

editor in Reprocess window.

2. *.DAT These are data files. Chromatogram raw data is stored in

these files.

3. *.HRP Report files have this extension and contain the report
tables.

4. *.RFT Report format files have these extension. 18 report formats

are given & user can choose the required format file. User
can generate his own new formats using Report Formatter.
5. *.INF This file is created along with the data file and contains the
data used to process the corresponding data file.

6. *.S?? Standard run data files. “??” Is place holder for a two digit
number which indicates standard level no.

Apart from the above a number of file types are generated by Winchrom 2.0 Ex,
however user need not know them for operating the software.