Multipole Electrode Assembly Kinematic Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of high-precision multipole devices like quadrupole mass filters and linear ion traps is costly due to the need for extremely tight tolerances and accurate alignment, which is difficult to maintain after initial assembly, especially when disassembly is required for processes like cleaning and plating.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the assembly of precursor multipole electrodes into an intermediate device, machining to define their spatial relationship, and using kinematic alignment formations to allow for repeatable reassembly with minimal deviation, enabling disassembly and reassembly while maintaining precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If components are permanently bonded together before machining, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of repair and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The multipole device is divided into separate components (electrode assemblies) that can be detached from one another. Each component maintains its structural integrity while allowing independent access for maintenance processes such as cleaning and plating, resolving the contradiction between precision assembly and ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
Alignment formations are pre-configured on the components during manufacturing. These formations enable precise reassembly after disassembly without requiring permanent bonding, allowing maintenance operations to be performed while ensuring the spatial relationship of electrodes is restored to its original precision.
2Ease of repair
If components are disassembled for maintenance processes, then ease of repair is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment formations act as intermediary features between components. These formations provide reference surfaces and geometric constraints that guide the reassembly process, ensuring that components return to their precise original positions after maintenance operations without requiring complex measurement and adjustment procedures.
3Manufacturing precision
If tight tolerances are maintained throughout assembly, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple alignment functions are merged into integrated alignment formations that are incorporated into the basic component structures. Rather than adding separate alignment mechanisms, the alignment capability is built into the electrode assemblies themselves through features such as precision-machined surfaces, dowel holes, or keyed interfaces, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining tight tolerances.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing a multipole device includes the steps of: (a) forming an intermediate device by assembling a plurality of components including a plurality of precursor multipole electrodes, wherein the plurality of precursor multipole electrodes in the assembled device extend along and are distributed around a central axis; (b) forming a multipole device from the intermediate device by machining the precursor multipole electrodes within the intermediate device to provide a plurality of multipole electrodes having a predetermined spatial relationship; wherein a first component of the multipole device that includes a multipole electrode is attached non-permanently to a second component of the multipole device, the first component including a first alignment formation, and the second component including a second alignment portion configured to engage with the first alignment formation on the first component so as to facilitate alignment of the first component and the second component when the first component and the second component are attached, thereby allowing the first component to be detached from and then reattached to the second component while retaining the predetermined spatial relationship between the plurality of multipole electrodes.