ClarityChrom® 8.

7 Release Notes
Version 1.0, June 2022

Thank you for choosing ClarityChrom®. This document describes important information about the installation
and use of the product as well as features in ClarityChrom®. Read this document carefully before you install
and start using the product.
From version 7.4.1, the ClarityChromPrep is discontinued. The full preparative functionality from KNAUER,
provided with former ClarityChromPrep, is now available in ClarityChrom® with Knauer FRC Control Module.

Lost or stolen dongles will not be replaced. If the dongle is lost, the software license is lost.

Updates

ClarityChrom® 8.7 allows updating the KNAUER drivers. KNAUER has released a driver update after the
ClarityChrom® installer has been created. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to disable the KNAUER
driver installation during the ClarityChrom® installation (step: Choose Components) and later run the separate
KNAUER driver installer from the installation medium after the ClarityChrom® installation is finished. If you
forgot to deselect the Knauer driver installation during the ClarityChrom® installation, you have to uninstall this
driver version first via Windows Control Panel – Remove programs, before you run the separate KNAUER
driver installer. Also refer to the ClarityChrom® 8.7 manual for the installation.
Refer to the Release History at the end of this document.

System Configuration

ClarityChrom® Configuration
The ClarityChrom® program supports configurations up to 4 systems to be controlled by one computer. The
main license allows the control of one HPLC system. An additional instrument license is required for each
separate instrument. KNAUER only recommends running up to 3 systems or just two systems with a PDA by
one computer. If a MS is controlled, only one system should be connected to the computer. Some third-party
drivers also may allow only 1 system per computer. More information can be found in the control manuals.
Additional license options for special software features, as PDA, KNAUER FRC (support for KNAUER fraction
collector option), SST (system suitability test), GPC, MS and/or GC are available. The additional license
options have to be ordered separately. If more than one instrument can be controlled by a station, the
additional options are available for all instruments. That means, for one station (dongle) only one PDA, FRC,…
has to be ordered and can also be used with the other instruments.
For Offline licenses the same additional licenses has to be ordered as for the control license to review the
chromatograms acquired with the mentioned additional options.

Supported Instruments

Pumps
AZURA® Pump P 8.1L (LAN)
AZURA® Pump P 6.1L (LAN)
AZURA® Pump P 2.1L (LAN)
AZURA® Pumps P 2.1S/P 4.1S (RS-232 / LAN)
PLATINblue Pump P-1 (RS-232 / LAN)
BlueShadow Pumps 10P/20P (RS-232 / LAN)
BlueShadow Pump 40P (RS-232 / LAN)
BlueShadow Pump 80P (RS-232 / LAN)
Smartline Pump 1050 (RS-232 / LAN)

CC8.7 Release Notes V1.0 1/9

Smartline Pump 1000 (RS-232, for full functionality RS-232 Y-cable is required)
Smartline Pump 100 (RS-232 / LAN)
Preparative Pump 1800 / MacroStar K-1800 (RS-232, for full functionality RS-232 Y-cable is required)
WellChrom K-120 (RS-232)
WellChrom K-501 (RS-232)
WellChrom K-1001 (RS-232, for full functionality RS-232 Y-cable is required; LC 425, firmware 5.0 or higher)
WellChrom K-1000 (RS-232; also K-1001 LC 410, firmware version below 5.0, a pressure trace can not be
acquired, for full functionality RS-232 Y-cable is required)
any pump with analog flow rate input via Interface Box / Interface Module

Detectors (PDA and scanning UV detectors require a PDA license option for acquiring this data)
AZURA DAD 6.1L (LAN)
AZURA DAD 2.1L (LAN)
AZURA MWD 2.1L (LAN)
AZURA UV Detector UVD 2.1L (LAN)
AZURA UV Detector UVD 2.1S (RS-232 / LAN; limited data rate using RS-232)
AZURA RID 2.1L / RID 2.1L HighFlow (LAN)
AZURA Conductivity Monitor CM 2.1S (RS-232 / LAN)
AZURA ECD 2.1 (Antec Decade Elite, LAN)
PLATINblue PDA-1 (LAN)
PLATINblue MW-1 (RS-232 / LAN; limited data rate using RS-232)
BlueShadow UV-Detector 10D (RS-232 / LAN; limited data rate using RS-232)
BlueShadow UV-Detector 40D (RS-232 / LAN; limited data rate using RS-232)
BlueShadow UV-Detector 50D (RS-232 / LAN; limited data rate using RS-232)
Smartline UV Detector 200 (RS-232)
Smartline UV Detector 2500 (RS-232)
Smartline UV Detector 2520 (RS-232 / LAN; limited data rate using RS-232)
Smartline UV Detector 2550 (RS-232 / LAN; limited data rate using RS-232)
Smartline UV Detector 2600 (RS-232)
Smartline RI Detector 2300 (RS-232)
Smartline RI Detector 2400 (RS-232)
Smartline PDA Detector 2850 (LAN)
Smartline PDA Detector 2800 (LAN)
Smartline Conductivity Monitor 2900
WellChrom Detector K-2000/1 (RS-232; K-2000 only signal recording is possible)
WellChrom Detector K-2500/1 (RS-232; K-2500 only signal recording is possible)
WellChrom Detector K-2600 (RS-232, for full functionality RS-232 Y-cable is required; no data in acquisition
window outside of method run)
WellChrom Detector K-2700 (via separate interface card; driver for interface card only available up to
Windows 7, 32-bit; no 64-bit driver)
WellChrom Detector K-2800 (via separate interface card or LAN box; driver for interface card only available up
to Windows 7, 32-bit; no 64-bit driver)
WellChrom Detector K-2300/1 (RS-232; K-2300 only signal recording is possible)
WellChrom Detector K-2400/1 (RS-232; K-2400 only signal recording is possible)
Shimadzu Spectrofluorometric Detector RF-10Axl [RS-232, onboard COM port or PCI/PCIe extension cards
are recommended, USBtoCOM adapter and other adapters may not work; only 0.5 Hz data rate via
RS-232, special RS-232 cable (KNAUER article number G0743) required; for higher data rates the 1 V
integrator output with an A/D converter as KNAUER IFU 2.1 has to be used]
Shimadzu Spectrofluorometric Detector RF-20A/Axs [RS-232, onboard COM port or PCI/PCIe extension cards
are recommended, USBtoCOM adapter and other adapters may not work; only feature set of RF-10 AXL
(1 channel, no temperature control, no scanning), firmware version 0.90 required, up to 5 Hz data rate via
RS-232, special RS-232 cable (KNAUER article number G0743) required; for higher data rates the 1 V
integrator output with an A/D converter as KNAUER IFU 2.1 has to be used]
Virtual Detector
any detector with 1 Volt integrator output via Interface Box / Interface Module

CC8.7 Release Notes V1.0 2/9

Assistants
AZURA Assistant ASM 2.1L (LAN, various configurations possible with P 4.1S, UVD 2.1S, V 2.1S, VICI valve
drives; two pumps can run either as HPG or independently)
AZURA Assistant ASM 2.2L (LAN, various configurations possible with P 4.1S, UVD 2.1S, VU4.1 drives)

Interfaces / A/D converters

Knauer Interface Box IFU2.1 LAN (communication via LAN, using DHCP is default, fix IP can be set, data
acquisition via analog input and control of devices via analog outputs, up to 4 channels, up to 50 Hz
data rate if only channel 1 is used, digital outputs cannot be controlled)
Knauer Interface Box IFU2.1 (USB via built-in USB-to-serial adapter, data acquisition via analog input and
control of devices via analog outputs, up to 4 channels, up to 50 Hz data rate if only channel 1 is used,
digital outputs cannot be controlled)
Smartline Manager 5000/5050 Interface Module, BlueShadow Manager 40M (RS-232, data acquisition via
analog input and control of devices via analog outputs, up to 4 channels, up to 50 Hz data rate if only
channel 1 is used, digital outputs cannot be controlled; Manager 5050 Interface Module has to be
configured as Manager 5000 Interface Module; must not be added and configured for LPG valves or
degasser)
Knauer Interface Box IF2 (RS-232, data acquisition via analog input and control of devices via analog outputs,
up to 4 channels, up to 50 Hz data rate if only channel 1 is used, digital outputs cannot be controlled)
Knauer Interface Box (Model 96, RS-232, for full functionality RS-232 Y-cable is required, data acquisition via
analog input up to 4 channels; up to 100 Hz data rate if only channel 1 is used, control of devices via
analog and digital outputs only for box revision 3, Knauer S/N > 50000)

Autosamplers
AZURA AS 6.1L (LAN; functionality depends on firmware version; refer ClarityChrom manual)
Smartline Autosampler 3950 (RS-232 / LAN, depends on device, device has only one communication port;
functionality depends on firmware version; refer ClarityChrom manual)
Autosampler Knauer Optimas (RS-232)
PLATINblue Autosampler AS-1 (LAN)
Smartline Autosampler 3800 / Autosampler Basic Marathon K-3800, also Plus und Cool (RS-232)
Smartline Autosampler 3900 / Autosampler Midas (RS-232)

Column ovens
Thermostat CT 2.1 (RS-232 / LAN; also modified device with S/N FCC… and FW 2.02)
PLATINblue Column Thermostat T-1 (RS-232 / LAN)
Smartline Column Thermostat 4050 (RS-232 / LAN)
Column Thermostat JetStream / Smartline Column Thermostat / PLATINblue T-1 Basic (RS-232, JetStream
from firmware version b 1.17)

Electrical Valve Drives

AZURA VU 4.1 (RS-232 / LAN; RS-232 only via build-in USB-to-serial converter)
AZURA V2.1S (RS-232 / LAN)
Smartline Electrical Valve Drives V2, 6, 12, 16 (RS-232 / LAN)
WellChrom Electrical Valve Drives K-2, 6, 12, 16 (RS-232)

Note: By using the AZURA VU 4.1 by RS-232, check in Windows Control Panel – Device Manager for the
COM port number of the build-in USB-to-serial converter of the VU 4.1.

Others
Bronkhorst Mini Cori-Flow Flowmeter (RS-232), (Auxilliary trace)

KNAUER Fraction Collectors (requires FRC license option):

Buechi C660 (RS 232)
ISCO Foxy R1 (RS-232 / LAN static IP)
ISCO Foxy R2 (RS-232 / LAN static IP)
ISCO Foxy Jr. (RS-232)

CC8.7 Release Notes V1.0 3/9

Labocol Vario 4000 / 4000 Plus (RS-232 / LAN)
KNAUER ASM 2.1L valve for fractionation, only one valve, no valve cascading
KNAUER MultiValve FC (RS-232 and/or LAN, depending on the valve drive type VU 4.1/V 2.1/ Smartline valve
drives / WellChrom; valve cascading with up to 32 valves possible)
KNAUER Smartline 3050 (RS-232 / LAN, communication port needs to be selected on the device; peak
recycling is not supported)
KNAUER Virtual FC
(Support of ISCO Foxy 200 FC is discontinued due to different incompatible firmware versions.)

Note: There are instrument functions that cannot be influenced by the software due to the fact that the control
protocol of the instruments internal firmware does not allow for this.

Drivers for non-Knauer devices.

Data Apex supports systems and single devices from different manufacturers. Below you find a range of
products, a complete list of supported devices can be found on www.knauer.net, document V1677 for
ClarityChrom® 8.7.

Antec Decade Elite (LAN), Decade II (also MD, SDC; RS-232), ROXY Potentiostat (RS-232)

Elysia-raytest Gabi Nova (USB, LAN), Gabi Star Radiodetector (RS-232), POMO Radiodetector (USB),
Ramona Star (RS-232) – ONLY devices Elysia-raytest have allowed for; ask Elysia-raytest for support

Berthold HERM LB500 (UNI Ruby script upon request)

ERC RefractoMax 520

Sedere Sedex ELSD 80/85/90/100LT/Sedex-LC (RS-232, USB with special cable for 90LT and Sedex-LC)

Runge Mikron 81 conductivity meter

VICI Valco valve drives (RS-232), also as Fraction Collector (only with Data Apex FRC setup; not compatible
with Knauer FRC option)

Advion Expression CMS (USB, requires MS license option)

Microsaic 4000 and 4500 MiD single QUAD MS (LAN, requires MS license option)

Agilent (HP) 5890 GC, Agilent (HP) 68xx GC, Agilent (HP) 1100 HPLC PDA; most Agilent devices with
RC.Net/ICF drivers

Shimadzu RF-20A/Axs – via CBM-20 with LC10 properties (1 channel only, no temp. control)
Shimadzu GC 14C and GC 17A

Spark-Holland autosamplers Triathlon, Endurance, Marathon, Midas, Alias

Pumps, detectors, autosamplers and balances from different manufacturers.

Some drivers do not support the full functionality of the device or only allow one system per computer. For
some systems, additional interfaces or controllers are required. Refer the separate control manuals for more
information.

CC8.7 Release Notes V1.0 4/9

Computer requirements

To control devices by Ethernet, a router can ease providing the required IP addresses by DHCP. If no DHCP
server, as a router, is used, all devices as well as the computer have to receive fixed IP addresses manually.
A separate COM port is required for each instrument with RS-232 port that is to be controlled. USB-to-COM or
Ethernet-to-COM adapters can be used to expand the number of COM ports. For Shimadzu Spectro-
fluorometric Detectors RF-10Axl, RF-20A and RF-20Axs and Autosamplers AS 3800 / Spark Marathon either
USBtoCOM adapter A3108 or onboard COM ports or PCI/PCIe adapter cards are recommended.
For each computer a free USB port for the license dongle is required.
For comfortable operation, it is recommended that the standard requirements be followed.
Do not install several versions of ClarityChrom® at the same time on a computer!

ClarityChrom 8.7

Operating System Windows 11 64-bit; 10, 8.1, 7 (SP1) both 32- and 64-bit

Microsoft .NET version 4.7.2 or higher is required.

CPU Pentium, 2 GHz

Memory RAM 4 GB

Graphics Separate graphics card recommended if more than 1

system is to be controlled

Free Hard Disk Space 80 GB for installation and data storage.

The program uses approx. 1 GB of disc space.

The chromatogram file size depends on chromatogram

length (run time), data rate and scan range for PDA.
While the typical file size for a single detector is below
1 MB and for a PDA below 3 MB, the file size for long
runs with PDA and MS can exceed 20 MB.

An SSD instead of an HDD is highly recommended.

Connectors and PC USB for license dongle; LAN and/or COM or USB for
Slots device connections; compatible (!) PC card slots for
control cards, if required

Optical Drive DVD-ROM drive for the installation

Monitor Minimum resolution: 1024 x 768,

Recommended resolution: 1280 x 1024 or 1680 x 1050

CC8.7 Release Notes V1.0 5/9

Driver Update
ClarityChrom® 8.7 allows for updating the KNAUER drivers, using a separate installer. Check first in the
Windows Control Panel – Remove programs, if KNAUER drivers already have been installed (ClarityChrom –
C:\Program Files (x86)\Knauer\ClarityChrom” (without “…(x86)” on 32-bit Windows) and if the version is lower
than the one you want to install. If so, first uninstall the existing driver before you install the new drivers.

Language Selection
The ClarityChrom® installer offers the installation in English, French, German, Spanish, Russian or Chinese.
Independently from the selection, all language versions will be installed. You can change the language after
installation from the Help menu. Note that some screens are not available in the selected language; in this
case it will be displayed in English.

Installation Folder
In Windows the program folder [C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86)] has a special security option
which prevents any data in that folder from being overwritten or modified. If ClarityChrom® is installed in the
Program Files folder, it will not be possible to save a configuration file nor to acquire data. Therefore, it is
strongly recommended that ClarityChrom® will be installed in the default installation folder C:\ClarityChrom.

Uninstalling ClarityChrom
To uninstall ClarityChrom, use the Program – Uninstall program function in the Control Panel. A screen
shows the modules and hardware drivers which have been installed, to select if it should be uninstalled.

Energy Saving Feature / Hibernate not allowed / Network

Energy Saving feature is not allowed to be set if you use ClarityChrom® or Maintenance software. Make sure
that setting for "Turn Off Monitor", "Turn Off hardware" / “Turn Off Hard Disk”, "System Standby" is "Never" at
Power Schemes TAB after pressing "Power" button in Display Properties dialog.
The "Hibernate" feature available on some computers will save the contents of the RAM to the hard disk and
shut down the hardware so that when the computer is restarted these programs are immediately available.
The "Hibernate" feature will however disrupt data acquisition under ClarityChrom® and so should not be
active.
From Windows Vista, more advanced power save settings has been introduced. It is strongly recommended to
disable all these options (set to “Disabled” or “None”). This is also suitable for USB and LAN adapters.
In case that more than one Ethernet adapter is installed, make sure that the attached networks use different
IP address ranges. For laptops it is strongly recommended to switch off the WLAN if devices will be controlled
via LAN. In some cases, no communication with the devices can be established if WLAN is enabled.

Screen Saving Feature is not allowed

Screen Saver feature is not allowed to be set if you use ClarityChrom® or Maintenance software. Make sure
that setting for "Screen Saver "is "None" in Display Properties dialog.

Windows Updates
Windows updates, which have been found but not installed, may block some software processes; this can also
influence communication. It is highly recommended not to allow the software to download and install Windows
updates automatically. The automated computer reboot will interrupt the chromatography runs. For
Windows 10 the automated reboot should be postponed (varies in the different Windows 10 versions). If
Windows installs updates, the installation of ClarityChrom® might be not processed properly. Only install the
software if no Windows updates have been found.

Virtual Memory setting

KNAUER recommends allowing Windows to set the virtual memory.

CC8.7 Release Notes V1.0 6/9

Known issues

Not all buttons or text are visible at the Device Manager

The settings for scale the computer monitor have to be set to 100 %, then reboot the PC.

Mobile Control Monitor Mode

The Monitor Mode is not supported in this ClarityChrom® release.

P 6.1L / P 8.1L with SSV

The SSVs (Solvent Selection Valves A1/A2, B1/B2) of the pumps can be switched from Device Monitor. If the
Set Flow option will be used, the SSV setting will be escaped from the currently opened method, not from the
Device Monitor! It can just be switched after sending the flow. The Purge option will not refer to the SSV
setting in the Device Monitor.

Gradient pumps
If a method with a disabled solvent channel A is sent, the Purge (Set Flow) option in the Device Monitor will
not work; the pump(s) will not perform the set flow and gradient composition.

Detector UVD 2.1S

Sending the method will not perform an auto zero for this detector type. If a run is started, the detector will
perform an auto zero.
If you reopen the configuration window of the UVD 2.1S, you first have to search for the instrument using the
…-button, otherwise you cannot change any setting in the configuration window.

Detectors UVD 2.1L, MWD 2.1L, DAD 2.1L, DAD 6.1L

If one of these detectors is used, wait after powering up the device for opening the instrument in ClarityChrom®
until the calibration of the detector is already performed (middle LED of the detector is flashing during
calibration). Otherwise, you will receive a communication error message.

Shimadzu Fluorescence detector RF-10 Axl / RF-20 A/Axs via KNAUER RS-232 driver
The detectors may not work on COM ports which have been installed additionally via USB-to-serial adapters
other than the adapter KNAUER part number A3108. You can also use a built-in COM port on the computer or
a COM adapter card with PCIe interface for the connection with these detectors.
The KNAUER driver for serial control and data acquisition for model RF-20 A/Axs only works with firmware
version 0.90. This firmware version is only available through KNAUER. All other firmware versions are not
compatible with this driver. The driver does not allow for running the detector with all features, the 4-channel
mode, flow cell thermostatting and scan acquisition is not supported, the maximum data rate is limited to 5 Hz.

Smartline Manager 5050 / IFU 2.1 / IF2 / Manager 40M

It is highly recommended to read out the serial number using the …-button while configuring the device. If
you need to enter the serial number in the configuration manually, only enter the last 5 digits (6 digits by using
IFU 2.1) of the serial number from the label. The full serial number will not work.

Chromatogram format conversion, if old chromatograms will be opened with new ClarityChrom®
Due to the introduction of a new data format with ClarityChrom® 6.x, chromatograms, acquired with older
ClarityChrom® versions can be opened, but will be converted into the new format. In the new format it cannot
be opened by older ClarityChrom® versions.

CC8.7 Release Notes V1.0 7/9

Release History

The latest driver for version 8.7 is 8.7.0.6076. It has to be installed separately, after ClarityChrom® 8.7 is
installed. The following changes and improvements have been added or bugs have been fixed from version
8.5.0.6060 (previous release driver, released with ClarityChrom® 8.5):
- Pump P 8.1L supported
- AS 6.1L Configuration solvent scheme added (two different wash port configurations: wash
right/transport left and vice versa)
- AS 6.1L Method User program supported
- AS 6.1L Method Syringe Scale factor supported
- CM 2.1S Configuration/Method pH alternatively can be acquired as detector channel instead of
auxiliary trace
- AS 6.1L flush volume field is now inactive for µl pickup injection mode
- Fraction valve in ASM 2.2L: Recycling counts fraction number
- Fix for message “Administrator right required to load TIDAS” if a DAD is configured
- DAD S2800 cannot be read out
- RID 2.1L serial number is not shown in configuration window
- VU 4.1 error reset by software in case of a valve error

The following enhancements were made in version 8.5 is 8.5.0.6060. It has to be installed separately, after
ClarityChrom® 8.5 is installed. The following changes and improvements have been added or bugs have been
fixed from version 8.5.0.6051 (previous release driver, released with ClarityChrom® 8.5 and included in the
installer of ClarityChrom® 8.5):
- P 6.1L: Fix for limitation of solvent type selection to default and custom
- P 6.1L: Fix for switching pump to flow 0 while opening instrument if set that pump should not switch off
if software is closed
- P 4.1S/P 2.1S: Fix for communication problem in case of using more than 6 devices
- All pumps as auxiliary: fix for error “Out of memory” when storing modified method
- AS 6.1L: Fix for reagent A + B, vials 85-87 are not allowed
- AS3950: Fix for very old FW, which does not recognize Set Buffer command
- ASM 2.2L: Fix for valve switch interval
- ASM 2.2L: Adding Service Dialog in Device Monitor
- DAD 6.1L/DAD 2.1L: Fix for crash if switching lamp off and on several times
- DAD 6.1L/DAD 2.1L: Adding possibility of measurement wavelength outside of scan range
- DAD 6.1L/DAD 2.1L: Removing of default-enabled reference wavelength of channel 2
- S 4050: Fix for temperatures higher that 85 degrees are not allowed

The following enhancements were made in driver 8.5.0.6051 (driver is included in ClarityChrom® 8.5 installer)
from version 8.3.0.6042 (released with ClarityChrom® version 8.2.3):
- AS 6.1L/prep: Advanced needle wash is supported from Device Monitor
- AS 6.1L Prep: Fix for large injection volumes
- Bugfix for all pumps: If device is configured for sending a trigger, run starts after pressing Flow Off in
Device Monitor
- DAD 6.1L; DAD 2.1L, MWD 2.1L: Time constant 0.00 s added
- DAD 6.1L: Message if recommended lamp lifetimes are exceeded
- K-2600: Fix crash for crash if Device Monitor is opened

The following changes and improvements have been added or bugs have been fixed in driver from version
8.0.1.6036 (released with ClarityChrom® 8.2.2):
- The modified column thermostat CT 2.1 (part no. ATC00) is supported
- Bugfix for P 6.1L: If device is in Standby and waked up by ClarityChrom®, degasser does not start.

CC8.7 Release Notes V1.0 8/9

 - Bugfix for UVD 2.1L/40D/S 2520: ClarityChrom® crashes while opening instrument if device is
configured but not connected.
- Bugfix AS 6.1L: Skip missing vial did not work
- Bugfix for VU 4.1 in ASM 2.2L: Position names are not shown in Method and Device Monitor

The following enhancements were made in former ClarityChrom® 8.2.2 for bugs found in ClarityChrom® 8.1:
- KNAUER ASM 2.2L supported
- P 6.1L, support of SSV switching during a run (FW 1.06 required)
- Bug fix for correct recognizing a P 6.1L isocratic with SSV
- Optimizing start in trigger for P 6.1L and UVD 2.1L
- Bug fix for ClarityChrom® crash if Start In of detectors is closed while instrument is opened
- Bug fix for memory consumption for DADs and MWD (software crashes have been observed if 3D
option was disabled)
- AS 6.1L, 100 µl syringe supported (FW 1.19 required)
- Support LAN connector for ISCO Foxy R2

CC8.7 Release Notes V1.0 9/9