<html><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:10px"><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418691070495_62709"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418691070495_62725">BTW I saw your blog, sounds like you need a new filament. They burn out every 25 hours or so. I hope you got the filament holder/whenelt. They are consumables but $$ and frequently pirated. I think most for ISI are the same, I have a few in fair condition I might sell one.</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418691070495_63184" dir="ltr"><br><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418691070495_62725"></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418691070495_63186" dir="ltr"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418691070495_62725">-Jeff</span></div><br> <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418691070495_62873" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: 10px;"> <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418691070495_62872" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418691070495_62871" dir="ltr"> <hr size="1"> <font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418691070495_62870" size="2" face="Arial"> <b><span style="font-weight:bold;">From:</span></b> John McMaster <johndmcmaster@gmail.com><br> <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">To:</span></b> Jeff Miller <mysterylectricity@yahoo.com>; Chris Murphy <chrisnoisebridge@gmail.com> <br><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cc:</span></b> "sem@lists.noisebridge.net" <sem@lists.noisebridge.net> <br> <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sent:</span></b> Friday, December 12, 2014 7:09 PM<br> <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Subject:</span></b> Re: All in on the mini-SEM?<br> </font> </div> <div class="y_msg_container"><br><div id="yiv5747781064"><div>
<div class="yiv5747781064moz-cite-prefix">Heyo,<br clear="none">
I haven't followed the noisebridge unit, but some updates on my
side if anyone is curious.<br clear="none">
<br clear="none">
I traced the vacuum leak to the column in my Super IIIA. I'm
having trouble safely taking apart the column to troubleshoot
further.<br clear="none">
<br clear="none">
Over the previous weekend I picked up a small ISI SEM similar to
the noisebridge unit ($500 + drive to LA and back). Some details
on it here:
<a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" class="yiv5747781064moz-txt-link-freetext" target="_blank" href="http://uvicrec.blogspot.com/2014/12/theyre-multiplying.html">http://uvicrec.blogspot.com/2014/12/theyre-multiplying.html</a><br clear="none">
<br clear="none">
The guy also threw in a carbon coater.<br clear="none">
<br clear="none">
Anyway, it has a broken PMT and needs a small vacuum adapter that
should have come in the mail today. PMT has unknown ETA but I
could steal a spare off of the Super IIIA if I wanted to test
sooner.<br clear="none">
<br clear="none">
I also have a *huge* (over 100 lbs) pile of ISI documents
(schematics, mechanical drawings, service notes, etc) I've been
scanning in that one of their retired lead techs gave me. Maybe
this weekend I'll finish the digitaization process and begin
uploading/organizing them.<br clear="none">
<br clear="none">
I have a small Pfeiffer/Balzers turbo pump system I assembled off
of eBay for under $500. It was chosen specifically because parts
for this particular system are readily available to piece
together. Of course, it would be hit or miss if the bearings are
sub-optimal but I imagine often times they will be good enough for
hobbyist use. I'd suggest others looking into the same route
before dropping 1k on a restore kit. I haven't decided if I'm
going to attach it to the SEM once it works better.<br clear="none">
<br clear="none">
I get class 10k using a high power Honeywell HEPA filter in my
bedroom. Very cheap and easy to setup.<br clear="none">
<br clear="none">
John<br clear="none">
<br clear="none">
On 12/12/2014 05:56 PM, Jeff Miller wrote:<br clear="none">
</div>
<div class="qtdSeparateBR"><br><br></div><div class="yiv5747781064yqt9895894788" id="yiv5747781064yqt00489"><blockquote type="cite">
<div style="color:#000;background-color:#fff;font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:10px;">
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_19032">I think we
should give the mini-sem project a second chance. <br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_19510"><br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_19511">I've been
thinking about what the SEM experience at NB drove home.</div>
<div id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_19126"><br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_19127">We should
think small and practical. <br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_19513"><br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_19514">Rather than
a clean room, let's think glovebox. Small glovebox, easy
enough to fab.<br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_25951"><br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_25952">The manual
vacuum controls have to go. It should all be electric valves,
interlocked and goof proof.</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_25953"><br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_25954">The coater
should be integrated, and interlocked with the SEM to use the
same pump(s). <br clear="none">
Perhaps a small, low temp vacuum oven for drying bugs and
plant samples, too.<br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_28674"><br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_28675">The console
has to more or less go. We have to commit to the digital
platform I developed, or develop a new one. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_39479"><br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_39480">Ideally,
the diff pump and forepump should be replaced.with a turbo and
a diaphragm pump. With that we get instant on, no exhaust
fumes. and no periodic cleaning of the column parts.</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_44946"><br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_42482">Alcatel
makes a high speed molecular drag pump. I may be wrong, but I
don't think it has stator blades. So I think you can up-to-air
it at full speed with no damage, and it may be able to choke
down a grain of sand or two without exploding. It will be
mounted upside down of course. <br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_43639"><br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_43638">The vacuum
isn't as deep as theoretical for a turbo or diff pump, but is
more than sufficient for a SEM and coater. <br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_50497"><br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_50498">I have a
bunch of these pumps. So many in fact that I'm thinking of
coughing up the $1,000 for the factory toolkit (probably a
bearing puller and two precision bore steel plates, if that)
to rebuild them. I think the bearings alone go for $300, but
it shouldn't be hard to find a pump with bad bearings</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_53761">for ~$250.
The pumps have a very high foreline pressure tolerance, 30
torr I think: I've seen them backed with run-of-the-mill two
stage diaphragm pumps from Gast. Meanwhile, high performance
four stage diaphragm pumps seem to be fetching less than half
of what I was getting for <br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_65013">them 5
years ago, $150 might buy a working pump and $200 more might
effectively rebuild it. <br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_57288"><br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_59126">As it turns
out, I've already done some of the heavy lifting. It's
probably been close to ten years now since I first wanted to
make the mini-sem portable, to bring to classrooms. To that
end I had custom pieces milled that attach to the top and
bottom vacuum ports, and convert them to the KF standard.
Short lengths of stainless bellow also show up cheap enough
these days.</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_67112"><br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_69228">Perhaps as
much as anything, it would highlight vacuum technology as well
as the SEM itself. <br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_69229"><br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_69234">I might
have almost everything we need on hand. I can see lending the
core components for proof of <br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_88474">concept ,
or until they can be found serendipitously on ebay.. <br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_108767"><br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_108768">For all
the little pieces and parts, $200-$300 might be a good guess
and represent a good working minimum budget for retrofitting
the valves and <br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_116695">piping.
If we have to do it from scratch, the glovebox could be
another $150 or so but further down the line. <br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_98537"><br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_130752">I say
pitch it as far more user friendly and less invasive, and see
if we can get funds allocated. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_139660"><br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_139661">Anyone
care any more? How are you guys coming along with your SEMS,
coaters, and turbos? <br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr"><br clear="none">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">-Jeff</div>
<div dir="ltr"><br clear="none">
</div>
<div class="yiv5747781064" dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_69230" style=""><br clear="none">
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<div id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_18966"><span></span></div>
<br clear="none">
<div id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_25391" style="font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:10px;">
<div id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_25390" style="font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:16px;">
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_25389">
<hr size="1"> <font id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_25392" size="2" face="Arial"> <b><span style="font-weight:bold;">From:</span></b> Chris
Murphy <a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" class="yiv5747781064moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" ymailto="mailto:chrisnoisebridge@gmail.com" target="_blank" href="mailto:chrisnoisebridge@gmail.com"><chrisnoisebridge@gmail.com></a><br clear="none">
<b><span style="font-weight:bold;">To:</span></b> John
McMaster <a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" class="yiv5747781064moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" ymailto="mailto:johndmcmaster@gmail.com" target="_blank" href="mailto:johndmcmaster@gmail.com"><johndmcmaster@gmail.com></a> <br clear="none">
<b><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cc:</span></b>
<a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" class="yiv5747781064moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" ymailto="mailto:sem@lists.noisebridge.net" target="_blank" href="mailto:sem@lists.noisebridge.net">"sem@lists.noisebridge.net"</a>
<a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" class="yiv5747781064moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" ymailto="mailto:sem@lists.noisebridge.net" target="_blank" href="mailto:sem@lists.noisebridge.net"><sem@lists.noisebridge.net></a> <br clear="none">
<b><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sent:</span></b>
Tuesday, September 2, 2014 12:13 AM<br clear="none">
<b><span style="font-weight:bold;">Subject:</span></b>
Re: [Sem] Picked up a sputter coater<br clear="none">
</font> </div>
<div class="yiv5747781064y_msg_container" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_25393"><br clear="none">
Well that's a breakthrough. Maybe Alan has something to
coat. <br clear="none">
<br clear="none">
Sent from my iPhone<br clear="none">
<br clear="none">
> On Sep 1, 2014, at 22:41, John McMaster <<a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" id="yiv5747781064yui_3_16_0_1_1418428069474_142720" ymailto="mailto:johndmcmaster@gmail.com" target="_blank" href="mailto:johndmcmaster@gmail.com">johndmcmaster@gmail.com</a>>
wrote:<br clear="none">
> <br clear="none">
> ...3.5 hours of driving each way later. Hit me up if
you need to coat something. I have a gold target for it<br clear="none">
> _______________________________________________<br clear="none">
> SEM mailing list<br clear="none">
> <a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" ymailto="mailto:SEM@lists.noisebridge.net" target="_blank" href="mailto:SEM@lists.noisebridge.net">SEM@lists.noisebridge.net</a><br clear="none">
> <a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" target="_blank" href="https://www.noisebridge.net/mailman/listinfo/sem">https://www.noisebridge.net/mailman/listinfo/sem</a>
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</blockquote></div>
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