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Basics of Operation

XO-VAC+ can be used to test a wide range of components and payloads. XO-VAC+ is a scientific research instrument for professional use only and must only be operated by competent personnel.

Warning

The user is responsible for ensuring the safety of any test regimes carried out using XO-VAC+.

The user is responsble for ensuring the test subjects and test regime are compatible with XO-VAC+ and will not lead to hazardous conditions during use.

XO-VAC+ is a pressure chamber and is only rated for pressures between 0kPa (vacuum) and atmospheric pressure.

Careful consideration must be given to whether the test subject contains any substance which may be inflammable, vapourise, or transform to gaseous phase in a vacuum.

The potential consequences of this include the risk of toxic gasses or smoke being ejected from the vacuum system directly into the laboratory environment, and/or the risk of serious explosion.

Warning

XO-VAC+ is a piece of complex scentific equipment. Users must familiarise themselves with the documentation before attempting to operate it.

Note

Detailed steps are available in the How-To section of the documentation. The purpose of this page is to give an overview of the steps required to operate XO-VAC+.

Note

Users must read with Safety documentation section before operating XO-VAC+.

A standard test using XO-VAC+ would involve the steps below:

Planning stage

  1. Verify the suitability of the test item for testing in XO-VAC+.

  2. Determine the tests to be carried out using XO-VAC+, and consider how the test subject will be mounted in the XO-VAC+ in order to achieve the required thermal conditions.

  3. Review the safety aspects (failure modes, required PPE, etc) of how the test subject may behave under the test conditions.

  4. Using the user software, build a recipe for thermal cycling as required for the test, and save for future reference.

Testing stage

Danger - Fire & Electric Shock Hazards

Do not operate the XO-VAC+ Thermal System without the chamber being under vacuum!

Danger

Only vent the chamber if it is at temperatures 5 degrees above the water dew point and below 40C. You can determinee the current chamber temperatures by connecting to XO-VAC+.

  1. Ensure the XO-VAC+ is powered off and properly connected to protective earthing.

  2. Load the test subject into the XO-VAC+ payload tray.

  3. Position the payload sensors on the test subject at locations of interest.

  4. Inspect the door seal for possible dust or damage.

  5. Shut the XO-VAC+ door delicately and secure it with the thumbscrew.

  6. Switch on the power to the Vacuum Control box of XO-VAC+.

  7. Start the vacuum system and bring the XO-VAC+ chamber down to the required pressure for the test.

  8. Switch on the power to the Thermal Control box.

  9. Using a PC with the user software installed, connect to the XO-VAC+ and check that all the system information and background readings are correct.

  10. Load the previously built recipe onto the XO-VAC+ device, ensuring the settings are configured as desired.

  11. From the run page, click Run recipe on connected device, select the preferred reference sensors for the test cycle (see Selecting Run Parameters for more info on reference sensors), then select Run.

  12. Monitor the test as it progresses from the charts on the run page, and if necessary cancel the run.

  13. Once the run is complete, save data as required.

  14. Ensure the chamber has returned near room temperature (within 5C above dew points and under 40C).

  15. Download and review run data in View Data page of the software.

  16. Turn off the power on the Thermal Control box.

  17. Stop the turbopump. By default, the chamber will automatically vent when the turbopump speed is low enough.

  18. Open the vacuum chamber door. Remove the test subject from the payload tray, clean tray as necessary.

  19. If another test run is to be done, go back to step #1. If no more experiments are required see the instructions for shutting down XO-VAC+ below.

Shutting down

  1. Pump down the vacuum chamber to a pressure under 1E-4 mbar (about 10 min).

  2. Check that the venting valve setting is set to no venting (Value 1 for setting 30 on the Vacuum Panel Control). More information is available here

  3. Power off the vacuum pumps using the on/off button on the Vacuum Control Panel.

Warning - Damage to the turbovacuum pump and drive

Even after the mains power is switched off, the subsequently running pump delivers electric power to the electronic drive unit. There is a danger of electric body contact by premature separating the pump from the electronic drive unit.

  • Never separate the electronic drive unit from the pump when the mains power is connected or the rotor is running.
  • Do not remove the mains cable if the turbopump is still running.