Ion Guide Electrode Alignment Through Frame-Assisted Machining
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for manufacturing ion guides face challenges in aligning elements with high accuracy and consistency, leading to inconsistent performance in analytical instruments.
Innovation Solution
A method involving machining a part-machined electrode set attached to a frame, followed by aligning and further machining to separate the electrode sets, using techniques like wire-erosion, to achieve precise alignment with ±25 µm accuracy and consistency, allowing for complex electrode shapes and improved assembly accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional machining methods (milling or erosion) are used to manufacture ion guides, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but alignment accuracy and consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is divided into distinct stages: initial machining of the frame with electrode sets attached, alignment of electrode sets, and final separation machining. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, achieving high alignment accuracy without excessive overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Electrode sets are pre-attached to the frame part before alignment and final machining. This preliminary action establishes reference positions that guide subsequent alignment operations, ensuring consistent and accurate positioning of multiple electrode sets relative to each other
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional alignment elements (dowels) are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but alignment consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical alignment elements like dowels with a machining-based alignment system. The frame part and electrode sets are machined with precise reference surfaces and features that automatically establish accurate relative positions during the machining process, eliminating the need for separate mechanical alignment operations
3Manufacturing precision
If electrode sets are machined separately and then assembled, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but assembly accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the machining of the frame part and electrode sets into a coordinated process. The frame part is initially machined with electrode sets attached, allowing their relative positions to be established in a single setup. After alignment, final separation machining creates the finished components with precisely maintained relative positions, achieving high assembly accuracy without excessive manufacturing time
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method enables high-accuracy and consistent alignment of electrode sets, facilitating the construction of ion optical devices with improved performance and controlled conditions, particularly in mass spectrometry applications.
Implementation Method 1
the steps of machining and/or further machining are performed by wire-erosion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A component of an ion optical device is manufactured. The component comprises aligned first and second electrode sets. A first material is machined to provide a part-machined first electrode set that comprises the first electrode set attached to a frame part of the first material. A second material is machined to provide a part-machined second electrode set that comprises the second electrode set attached to a frame part of the second material. The component of the ion optical device is assembled by aligning the part-machined first and second electrode sets. Subsequent to aligning the part-machined first and second electrode sets, the part-machined first electrode set is further machined to separate the first electrode set from the frame part of the first material and the part-machined second electrode set is further machined to separate the second electrode set from the frame part of the second material.