Agilent 5975: how to remove the 1 piece lens insulator?

[JPoulin]

EI Source Cleaning:

This is a quick question. I was surprised to see that Agilent has switched to a 1-piece lens insulator. How do I remove it safely, without breaking it! I cannot find any videos showing this. I am nervous to try without advice. All my experience is with the 2-piece insulator.

Any help is much appreciated!

Jennifer

[Erika.Miller]

Hi Jennifer,

I used this style on my Agilent 5975 MS, and just gently pried it open, like with a small flat head screwdriver (not hard at all, a gentle touch will do it) and then slide apart. This always worked for me, and no damage.

Erika

[MSCHemist]

I spread it apart with my fingers and slide/work/wobble the two metal parts out with my other hand (they sit in a trench in the insulator). On a side note don't over-tighten the brass set screw as I had one develop cracks in that area. Just enough so the set screw makes light contact with the insulator.

[James_Ball]

As above, just spread them a little and slide the lenses out the ends. I too preferred the two piece design.

[JPoulin]

Thank you for your responses!

What a nerve-wracking new addition to the ion source cleaning.

Jenny

[whdees]

here's a question; will the old 2-piece insulators work on the new ion source? I know some parts are interchangeable from one source to the next, others not so...

[Steve Reimer]

The new one piece will prevent the accidental shorting of the lens to the body. I haven't had a problem getting the parts out of the holder.

[whdees]

The new one piece will prevent the accidental shorting of the lens to the body. I haven't had a problem getting the parts out of the holder.

OK, but I'm just wondering what would happen if I fumble-fingered the one piece and broke it...

[James_Ball]

The new one piece will prevent the accidental shorting of the lens to the body. I haven't had a problem getting the parts out of the holder.

OK, but I'm just wondering what would happen if I fumble-fingered the one piece and broke it...

The two piece should work, just be sure not to over tighten the set screw so that it makes contact with the lenses. Use an Ohm meter to make sure there is no shorting to ground before reinstalling and you should be good.