VACUUM
News
M a n u f a c t u r e r s and o t h e r s Manufacturers and others are invited to submit information for inclusion in this feature addressed to The Vacuum New Editor V a c u u m Pergamon Press Ltd Headington Hill Hall Oxford O X 3 0 B W
New
products
and
developments
New isolation/air admittance valves The new version of the Edwards 'Speedivalve' isolation/air admittance vacuum valve is built to metric standards and is generally of more compact, rugged and modern design than valves previously available. Available in straight-through (Model SC5) or right-angle (Model PV5) versions, it can be pipeline or panel mounted and operates on the weir and diaphragm principle which isolates the mechanism and gives good tolerance to dusty conditions. The valve is suitable for most gas/liquid handling systems and for pressures down to 1 0 - 5 - 1 0 - 6 mbar depending on whether a nitrile or Viton diaphragm is chosen. The modern coupling system gives a choice of muff-coupling to plain 6 mm O/D tube or permanent connection by brazing or soldering; nominal internal bore is 5 mm. Edwards High Vacuum, Manor Royal, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 2LW, UK High current implanter with hybrid scanner Balzers High Vacuum Limited announce the Scanibal SC1 218, claimed to be the first ion implanter to apply electrostaticmechanical hybrid scanning to high current beams. The specially developed scanning and deflector system for high currents combined with a magnetic quadrupole ensures sufficient overscanning of a 5 in. matrix at a frequency of 1000 Hz with no space-charge expansion of the beam, eliminating extreme local hot spots. This fast scanning together with the 615 m/s circumference speed of the carousel keeps the wafer load low. The system operates between 20 and 200 keV and for scanned currents up to 1.5 mA. Requiring the minimum of electronic controls the Scanibal effectively implants high and low doses, but because of the electrostatic deflector does not implant neutral particles. The technique achieves uniformities of ±1% standard deviation over the whole dose range from 101~ ions/cm 2 to high doses. Balzers High Vacuum Ltd, Northbridge Road, Berkhamsted, Herts, UK Metric slimline spool valves Schrader have introduced a range of Slimline Spool Valves, utilizing their long established and much imitated static seal design. The new Slimline -~ in. BSP (-~R conforms to ISO R228) single sub-based 3/2 and 5/2 valves meet the demand for small compact units, delivering high flow, created by the trend towards packaged systems. The Slimline Spool Valves are suitable for use in systems and cabinets where space is at a premium. Schrader offers a choice of automatic actuator/return mechanism combinations. There is a choice of side- or bottom-ported valves and ganged manifold combinations are also available. All port connections in the sub-bases comply with CETOP recommendation RP68. The Slimline valves utilize a lightweight stainless steel balanced spool with short travel for high cycle speeds-fluctuations in inlet pressure do not affect the operating forces. Sealing the pressure and exhaust port in mid travel permits the pilot-operated valves to be used with air, oil or vacuum. The
The Scanibal SCI 218 high current ion implanter with hybrid scanner solenoid actuator in the Slimline features a new ultra-small coil assembly with 4 W consumption and 1 00% continuously rated. The exhaust connection has a built-on muffler which can be removed to pipe away exhaust air. Where space is limited the coil can be repositioned at 180 ° to the normal position as can the cable plug, with its built in collet cable lock. The solenoid/pilot valves are available with manual override. The bodies, bases and actuator housings on the Slimline Spool valves are in diecast zinc ; the stainless steel spools are guided by brass bushes and sealed by static 'Viton' rubber O rings. The valves can all be serviced without disturbing any of the pipe connections. Schrader-Bellows, Division of Scovill Manufacturing Co, Walkmill Lane, Bridgtown, Cannock, Staffs WS11 3LR, UK
Heater assemblies IVI has available two sizes of heater assemblies for use in vacuum systems. The Model 1010-1 offers 1000 W of radiant heat. The Model 1005-1 is designed for use in tight spaces and has 500 W capability. Both of these designs have specially designed contacts
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Vacuum News allowing for extended operation at high temperatures. The tungsten/quartz lamp elements are specially processed in order to reduce impurities. The assembly is virtually completely constructed of stainless steel for ease of cleaning. Optional quartz cover glasses are available. International Vacuum Inc, Oak Street, Pembroke, Massachusetts, USA
The Fixomat overcomes specimen p r o b l e m s The EM-Fixomat from Balzers High Vacuum Limited claims to overcome difficulties encountered in the fixing and dehydration of very small specimens when preparing them for electron microscopy. The EM-Fixomat has 10 micro filters (with maximum pore size of 10-16/~m) in which specimens are placed. Because the specimens remain there during the whole fixation and drying process the danger of drying out or mechanical damage during the transfer to various solutions is avoided. Compared with previous methods the process is said to guarantee easy detection of specimens up to a size of 80/=m with low consumption of solution and a minimum of work. A thermostat and cooling coils are fitted and for work at 4°C an additional cooling unit is available. Balzers High Vacuum Ltd, Northbridge Road, Berkhamsted, Herts, UK Advanced m e t a l l u r g i c a l l a b o r a t o r y p l a n t With the introduction of their new electron-beam zone refining plant for refractory metals, ESZ 1.5/5, Leybold-Heraeus have completed a range of rare- and precious-metals purification, melting, casting and deposition equipments. These are of laboratory and pre-production size, but can also play their part in normal production. Specialized metallurgical techniques are used, such as vacuum, over-pressure, electron-beam melting and refining, crystal growing, induction heating and centrifugal casting. This latest addition to the range uses an electron beam to produce a travelling melted zone of the rod material that is to be purified, which is held vertically under high vacuum. Both ends of the rod are clamped, and the electron-beam cathode travels slowly up and down the length to be annealed, degassed or melted. For this purpose the rod becomes the anode, and is connected to a voltage source capable of giving 20 kV. Leybold-Heraeus Ltd, 173 Greenwich High Road, London SE10 8JA, UK
Commercial
Vacuum Thermal Processes has taken delivery of a £30,000 450 W carbon dioxide laser which is to be the heart of a sophisticated cutting and welding system designed by the company. The new system enables VTP to offer an important new service to industrial customers. It can now produce at high speed linear and circular cuts and welds with clean parallel sides in such materials as plastic, fabric, plywood, quartz, paper, board and sheet metal--in sample or production quantities. With the full numerical control work handling system to be added later this year, fast production of irregular shapes will become possible-for example cutting perspax letters for shop fronts. Vacuum Thermal Processes Ltd, Edison Road, Industrial Estate, St Ives, Huntingdon, Cambs PF17 4LU, UK
Wrap-around high-voltage power supply triple-mode image-intensifier tubes
for
A high-voltage power supply designed to fit around the neck of a triple-mode X-ray image-intensifier tube is available from Brandenburg Ltd. The supply, Model 831, incorporates five high-voltage outputs and is fitted to the tube by two adjustable collars. Although designed mainly for use with a 9 in. triple-mode X-ray image-intensifier tube, the power supply is also suitable for single, dual and triple-mode operation for a wide range of tubes. The Model -31 operates from a +24 V dc input al'td has the following outputs: anode, +30 kV at up to 3/~A; getter, 2.5-3 kV at up to 20/~A; grid 1 (multirange), + 7 5 - + 4 5 0 V each range at up to 2/~A; grid 2 (multirange), +400-+900 V each range at up to 1 /~A; grid 3 (multirange), 2.85-3.35 kV, 6.45-6.95 kV and 10.2-10.85 kV at up to 1 /~A. The three rnultirange outputs each have three ranges with presettable values. For a ~-10% input variation on the 24 V dc input, the three grid outputs and the anode output remain within 0.01% of their nominal value with the high-voltage outputs fully loaded. Ripple on the same outputs is within 0.1% (peak-to-peak) for similar variations. The temperature dependant tracking ratio between the grids and anode outputs for all adjustment values in maintained to within ±0.3%. All high-voltage outputs are protected against flashover and continuous short circuit to ground. Brandenburg Ltd, High Voltage Engineering, 939 London Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey CR4 6JE, UK
news
Ferrofluidics soft seal A cryopumped 48 in. optical coating system designed and manufactured by KH F Co features a water-cooled Ferrometic® rotary feedthrough to centre drive their large 48 in. Flip-Flop planetary fixture. The feedthrough was designed and manufactured by Ferrofluidics Corporation. The feedthrough utilizes a 2 in. ID, quartz sealed hollow shaft for on-centre optical monitoring. The ferrofluidic feedthrough was selected for its reliability and smooth operation essential in noise sensitive optical monitors. These rotary seals consist of a permanent magnet source, focusing structure and inert low vapour pressure fluid sealant. No external energy or power is required. The low drag torque of the fluid permits unusually smooth operation with minimal friction. The absolute seal formed by the fluid barrier is mass spectrometer leak tight to 10-e torr. Ferrofluidics Corporation, 144 Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, MA 01803, USA 92
N e w industrial laser service
Salad d a y s ! The increasing acceptance of modern techniques of mayonnaise production is largely a result of the consistently high standards obtained with equipment such as the Bryma MZM mayonnaise unit, manufactured by Fryma-Maschinen AG of Switzerland. The unit is marketed by M ~- M Process Equipment. During the last few months, MZM units have been installed for several UK companies enabling them to sustain the highest possible standards of quality control. Recent customers include RHM Foods Ltd ; Hammonds Sauce Ltd ; Williams 8- Woods Ltd ; The Manchester Chemical Company and Leon Frenkel Ltd. Historically, production of salad cream has been a well-established process. A premix would be made in one of two tanks'. When ready, it would be passed through a high pressure homogeniser and into storage. During the latter stage of the process, the next batch would be pre-mixed, providing a continuous operation at the homogenizer.