Hello
I am planning to make a load lock using magnetic manipulators. The following website describes the common type-
http://www.lesker.com/newweb/sample_manipulation/sample_transfer/linear_rotary_motion/lppseries.cfm
The design that i am thinking has the manipulator in vertical orientation with the motion directed vertically down. The question that I have is that can these manipulators used in vertical orientation? Wont the outer or inner magnet fall on its own under gravity?
thank you in advance for the reply .
Dear Saurabh Mukherjee,
In general I believe the manipulators are made to work only in the horizontal or with a angle, although it should also be possible to use a magnetic manipulator in the vertical. But in this case you should have in consideration that:
- the break-away force needs to be higher that the weight force of the inner part of the manipulator + load + force applied to move the manipulator + friction force;
- the guidance for the inner arm of the manipulator can not be prepared for vertical use, and if used in vertical can result in a imprecise movement.
I would recommend you to contact directly the company and they will provide you with a precise answer.
Yes. I was talking to engineers from UHV design. I had thought about it but never thought that it will be such a big problem. They are suggesting that instead of a normal magnetic manipulator, we should use-LPP35-304-SS. The website for this is-
http://www.uhvdesign.com/index.php?op=subproducts&id=27&pid=178&ln=english
Earlier my thinking was- i have a small load lock chamber on top of the main chamber. In between there is a valve. The magnetic manipulator goes on top of the load lock chamber. When I am not using the manipulator, I will close the valve and gently rest the manipulator shaft on it. I am getting a feeling that this might not be such a great idea!
I think the design might be getting slightly complicated and i need to go back to the horizontal design.
Hi,
Just thought i'd mention that you would not need to rest the manipulator on the valve. If you look at the linear powerprobe carefully you can see a small screw on the magnet. This is to lock it in place...so as long as your manipulator is completely clear of the valve (and anything else) it shouldn't need to touch anything...
Hadeel,
thank you for the reply. the guys at UHV design (one of the best in manipulator buisness) told me that the screw on the outside will probably fix the outer magnets. But the magnets on the inside (which are attached to the shaft which moves in UHV) will fall due to gravity. Thats why its not such a good idea.
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