Vertical clamp device

A method of engaging a flow cell component, the method comprising:

• inserting the flow cell component into a vertical receptacle of a carriage of a clamp device when the carriage is in the insert position, the clamp device comprising:
• the carriage including a vertical receptacle to receive the flow cell component, the carriage translatable between the insert position and a closed position;
• a fluidics interface block including a fluidics interface to engage flow ports of the flow cell component;
• an electronic interface setting to engage electronic pads of the flow cell;
• and
• a drive component to translate the carriage between the insert position and the closed position, the fluidics interface block to motivate the fluidics interface into contact with the flow ports of the flow cell component and the electronic interface to engage the electronic pads of the flow cell component when the carriage is in the closed position;
• and
• moving the carriage to the closed position, the flow cell component engaged between the fluidics interface and the electronic interface in the closed position, wherein the drive component is prevented from moving the carriage to the closed position when the flow cell component is absent from the vertical receptacle.