VSP-G1 Operating and maintenance guide

Warning: Important points to remember when conducting maintenance activities involving disassembly and reassembly: Turn off the spark generator and disconnect it from the power supply; Transport the reactor assembly with the transport plate and open it in a safe environment; Do not apply pressure when wiping the surface; The coating on the viewport filter screens electromagnetic radiation. Do not scratch the coating, nor replace it with a different type; Dry all surfaces before reassembly; Retract the electrodes sufficiently to avoid collision with each other; and Screw down both alignment pins.

To remove generated particles from the reactor:

1. Stop gas flow and depressurise.
2. Select "remove reactor" in the menu.
3. Switch off the mains supply and unplug.
4. Unscrew the alignment pins, transfer the reactor from the mount plate to the transport plate, screwing in the alignment pins to the transport plate. (See "Mounting the reactor assembly" for visual reference if needed.)
5. Move reactor and transport plate to an environment where particle exposure is limited, such as a fume hood or glove box.
6. Starting with the right or left endcap, loosen and remove the clamp and O-ring holding the endcap to the central reactor housing. image
7. Gently wipe the inner surfaces of the reactor and the endcaps with a cleaning cloth/wipe. A solvent (ethanol, water, IPA, etc) can be used. Use a (moistened) cotton tip to clean inside tubing. image
8. After ensuring that the surfaces are dry, place a clamp, lying open, with the side of the handle under where the endcap would be, on the transport plate. image
9. Insert the O-ring onto the end cap and place the endcap on transport plate with the O-ring fitting into the clamp. Align the endcap with the reactor housing and tighten the alignment pin on the endcap. image
10. Close and tighten the clamp. image
11. Repeat steps 6-10 for the other side.Clarification needed: does the reactor remain on the transport plate or do we handle it? Where are all the components positioned in all this? (images would help address this issue)
12. Ensure that all surfaces are free of moisture.
13. Remove the reactor from the transport plate and remount onto the mount plate, tightening the alignment pins (See "Mounting the reactor assembly" for visual reference if needed.).

To replace electrodes

1. Stop gas flow and depressurise.
2. Select "change electrodes" in the Menu.
3. Switch off mains and unplug.
4. Unscrew the alignment pins, remove the reactor from the mount plate and place on the transport plate, screwing in the alignment pins to the transport plate.
5. Move reactor and transport plate to an environment where particle exposure is limited, such as a fume hood or glove box.
6. Starting with the right or left endcap, loosen and remove the clamp and O-ring holding the endcap to the central reactor housing.
7. Holding the endcap with one hand, screw the electrode tip on the electrode and finger tighten with the other hand. image
8. Place a clamp, lying open, with the side of the handle under where the endcap would be, on the transport plate.image
9. Insert the O-ring onto the endcap and place endcap on transport plate with the O-ring fitting into the clamp. Align the endcap with the reactor housing and tighten the alignment pin on the endcap.
10. Close and tighten the clamp. image
11. Repeat steps 6-10 for the other side.
12. Ensure that all surfaces are free of moisture. (See "Removal of particle build-up" for cleaning instructions.)
13. Remove the reactor from the transport plate and remount onto the mount plate, tightening the alignment pins.

To clean the viewport:

1. Stop gas flow and depressurise.
2. Select "remove reactor" in the menu.
3. Switch off the mains supply and unplug.
4. Unscrew the alignment pins, remove the reactor from the mount plate and place on the transport plate, screwing in the alignment pins to the transport plate.
5. Move reactor and transport tool to an environment where particle exposure is limited, such as a fume hood or glove box.
6. Holding the viewport with one hand, loosen and remove the clamp. image
7. Remove the viewport and the O-ring. image
8. Wipe the inner surface with a cleaning cloth/wipe. A solvent (ethanol, water, IPA, etc) can be used. Use a (moistened) cotton tip to clean inside tubing. Do not apply too much pressure, as the inside of the viewport window is coated with a delicate coating. image
9. Once the surfaces are dry, mount the O-ring back onto the reactor housing, followed by the viewport. image
10. Holding the viewport in place with one hand, attach and tighten the clamp with the other. image
11. Remove the reactor from the transport plate and remount onto the mount plate, tightening the alignment pins.

Periodic maintenance

It is necessary to periodically clean the left insulator, which is normally left in the fully retracted position when removing the endcap for any reason already described in this manual. If there is too much particle build-up in the reactor there is a risk of electrical damage to the VSP-G1 unit. To clean the hidden insulator surface, the electrode position can be adjusted by turning the gear on the underside of the endcap. image Ensure that all surfaces are dry before reassembly.

Other periodic maintenance includes replacing the filters and the fuses.

To replace the filter(s) and dispose them

This procedure is entirely dependent on your particular setup and deposition system, but we highly recommend the use of a HEPA filter or one of higher quality. Particle filters are characterized by a drop in filtration efficiency for particles between approximately 100 and 300 nm. For particles smaller than 20nm as generated by the spark generator, filter efficiency is typically >99.99%. Dispose the filters depending on your local disposal guidelines and any particular requirements outlined by the filtration system you choose for your setup.

To replace the fuse

The fuseholder, located on the back of the base unit between the power switch and the mains supply plug, accepts 5x20mm T2.5A/250V fuses. Before replacing the fuse, be sure to shut down the system and unplug it from the power supply.