Knowledge Base

Install the Goal Box

The goal box is an optional addition to the CatWalk system which can facilitate getting an animal to cross the walkway during training and testing. See the CatWalk XT Help for an example of a protocol for training and testing of rats. To attach the goal box, you need three sets of hexagonal bolts and sliding nuts. The longest and medium bolts can be found in the plastic bag inside the goal box packaging.

Step 1: Prepare the Walkway

Before installing the goal box, first take all parts from the box.

Remove the plastic strip from the right side of the walkway profile.

Insert the sliding nut in the left side of the glass plate profile.

On the other side, the goal box support beam will be attached to the side of the walkway profile.

Step 2: Attach the Support Beam

Attach the goal box support beam to the walkway using two hexagonal bolts. For this step you need the two medium bolts.

First attach the bolt on the right side. Next, align the sliding nut in the glass plate profile with the hole in the support beam and attach the bolt.

Step 3: Attach the Bottom Support

Insert two sliding nuts into the standing profile of the CatWalk stand. When you insert the first nut, use the small screwdriver to prevent the nut from falling down to the bottom of the profile. Insert the second nut above the first one.

Loosely attach the bottom support to the CatWalk stand so that you are still able to slide it up and down. Use short bolts in this step.

Step 4: Attach the Goal Box

Remove the plastic nuts from the support connected to the walkway. Make sure that you use the longest bolts available in this step.

Attach the goal box to the support.

Step 5: Level the Goal Box

Loosely fix the plastic nuts. Slide the triangular bottom support upwards until it touches the bottom of the goal box and the goal box is level.

Before tightening the plastic nuts, make sure the goal box is shifted as far as possible towards the glass plate.

Step 6: Fit the Lid and Inserts

Put the goal box lid on top of the goal box. Make sure the bumpers are outside the lid.

Depending on the height of the cage you want to keep in the goal box, insert the appropriate number of inserts into the goal box.

Parts List

The CatWalk system (excluding the computer and its accessories) comes in three separate boxes: one box contains the CatWalk stand, one box contains the walkway, and the third box contains the illuminated ceiling.

CatWalk System

• Base frame with 2 swivel wheels and 2 regular wheels.
• Two large support angles with 4 bolts, 4 sliding nuts, and 4 washers attached to each support angle.
• Two profiles with one large and one small support angle each. See the standing profile illustration for reference.
• One profile with a hole in the middle (horizontal profile) and one profile with two sliding bolts.
• Two black ground plates.
• Two fixation plates for the stand with four sliding nuts, bolts, and washer rings each.
• Walkway with glass plate and green LED lights located inside the profile. On the left side of the walkway is a box with a connector.

Note: The length of the standing profiles may differ from that represented in these instructions. However, this does not affect the assembling procedure.

Illuminated Ceiling

• Two profiles for the illuminated ceiling, each with a support at the top, a small support angle in the middle, and a ceiling support fixation plate at the bottom.
• Illuminated ceiling.
• Two spacers and washers for the attachment of the illuminated ceiling.

Corridor and Camera Components

• Corridor lift mechanism for the spring-operated corridor.
• Two protection plates for the corridor lift mechanism.
• Four sliding nuts, bolts, and washer rings for the protection plates.
• Camera profile with a small support angle at the top, two plastic nuts, and a ruler at the front.
• Two support profiles.
• Camera holder with two small screws and serrated washers.
• Camera and lens (in separate boxes).
• Two black corridor walls and one white diffusion plate.
• Eight screws for the diffusion plate.
• Two corridor holders.

Control Unit and Accessories

• Six black protection caps to put on the open sides of the support angles.
• The CatWalk XT Control Unit.
• Three sliding nuts, bolts, and washer rings to attach the control unit to the stand.
• Power supply and cables for the control unit, including a camera cable and an LED cable for the green LEDs in the glass plate and the red LEDs in the illuminated ceiling.
• USB cable (5 m).
• Network cable (10 m).
• CatWalk assembly tools: 4 hexagonal (Allen) keys of 3, 4, 5, and 6 mm, a small Phillips head screwdriver, and a spirit level.

Goal Box

• If you purchased the CatWalk Goal Box, it can be found in a box labeled Goal Box [serial number] (perspex home cage not included).
• A separate bag with bolts, spacers, and sliding nuts can be found in the same box.

Source: CatWalk XT 11.0 Assembly Instructions, Noldus Information Technology