This document is meant to serve as a guide for technicians and other experienced personnel who work in the XRF Core Scanner Lab. Although it's not necessary for most users to be aware of the regular maintenance checks that need to be performed, it can be helpful to be aware of some of the day-to-day needs during your visit.
The following activities should be performed at regular intervals to keep the lab in good working order. Please not that these lists are not exhaustive, and you should use your best judgement about what needs to be done and when. This is just meant to serve as a starting point.
These are the activities that are recommended on a daily basis, if the lab is in use:
Make sure that all core sections that will be needed for the next two days are available in the lab, and if they are not, arrange to have them pulled
Make sure that all routine supplies are available, and re-stock the tables if necessary (paper towels, utility blades, DI water, etc.)
Make sure you are aware of all individuals who will use the lab that day
Make sure that all users know what they intend to do, and ask if them if they need any assistance
Check if the films on the bottoms of the prisms need to be changed
Look at the spectra and make sure the data is actually being acquired. Monitor the data to ensure that the source, detector, and filter assembly are operating as intended
These are the activities that are recommended on a weekly basis:
Change the bottom films, if they haven’t already been changed that week
Check the helium pressure in the tanks. Change tanks if the pressure gets below ~200psi.
Check the coolant reservoir levels (on top of the old instrument, behind the bottom left panel in the new instrument)
Spray chain grease on the chain and sprockets in the new instrument. Actuate the door several times to distribute the grease, and wipe up any excess. Make sure to move the measurement assembly to the center of the track before spraying the grease. You want to avoid getting any grease on the parts. You must use the designated chain grease, and not any other type!
Check the threads where the gas springs screw into the door on the new instrument. Make sure they haven’t come unscrewed.
Vacuum the dust and dirt out of the instruments
Clean the prep tables and sweep the floor
Empty the trash if needed
These are the activities that are recommended on a monthly basis:
Copy recent data to the server, as a backup
Change source-side (back) films on prisms, if they haven’t already been changed. Note that this is a potentially dangerous operation, as it involves exposing the detector to risk of damage. Only trained and experienced personnel should do this!
Check standards data for long-term stability. Look at both intensity and peak ratios.
Raise and lower the lab tables to make sure that the hydraulic lifts still work
Test the safety interlocks on the doors; try to open the door when the source is turned on (if it starts to move, stop immediately!)
These are the activities that are recommended only on an as-needed basis:
Order new supplies for the lab, including helium tanks when necessary
Inspect the filter wheel, and check for alignment issues if source intensity appears to be dropping
Delete data from host PCs after backing up to the server and possibly to LIMS (for program measurements)
Apply dielectric grease to the ends of the high-voltage cable between the source and the transformer. This should be done if there are any signs of flashover (i.e. sparking, accompanied by loud pops when the source is at 50kV). Alternatively, in the absence of flashover, this may be good to do 1-2 times per year. Note that this is a potentially dangerous operation, as it involves taking about critical components. Only trained and experienced personnel should do this!
Clamp and re-tighten the gas springs on the old instrument door. Do this only if the bolts are coming unscrewed! Future replacements of these springs with ones of lower force should negate this issue. DO NOT DO THIS ON YOUR OWN! THIS OPERATION IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!