System alarms that display on the screen indicate the presence of a condition that is preventing the system from operating a normal test cycle. To acknowledge and clear the alarm, press F1. However, if you do not fix the issue, the alarm will not clear.
Yes.
Prior to returning the unit, please contact our service administrator at 631-737-0900 ext 134 or send an email to service@vicleakdetection.com so we can issue you a return authorization number.
You may then send the unit along with a Certificate of Contamination to our repair and maintenance facility at:
Vacuum Instruments Corporation
2101 Ninth Avenue
Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
Yes, before initiating Auto Calibration make sure the following requirements have been met:
• Verify the system has been started using the COLD or HOT startup procedure described in the Getting Started section and warmed up.
• Verify that two helium-free test parts have been installed.
• Verify that the calibrated leak standard is properly installed on the chamber and the 10% fall off date has not passed.
Calibration is used to determine accurate calculation of leak rates and is an important part of system operations. With auto calibration, the calibration sequence is performed automatically. The system calibration values for the chamber are based on dynamic test results obtained during a series of cycles with the calibrated leak valve closed and a series of cycles with the calibrated leak valve open. Auto Calibration is initiated via the CAL key on the console control panel. Refer to the Console Control Panel for more information.
For inside-out leak detection, the test part can be filled with helium and sealed; it can be “bombed” with helium after it is sealed; or it can be pressurized with helium during the actual test. Then, the part is placed in a vacuum chamber; the chamber is evacuated; and the mass spectrometer looks for helium escaping from the part into the chamber. For outside-in leak detection, the test part is evacuated and connected to the mass spectrometer. Then, helium is sprayed around suspected areas outside of the part. If the part has a leak, helium will be drawn into the test part and be detected by the mass spectrometer.
The MD-490S suppression feature will automatically correct for changes in the ambient helium level; it is similar to using the standard auto zero function. This mode allows the unit to detect and prevent the leak rate from dropping below zero within the user selectable test range as ambient helium levels in the testing area begin reducing. This feature allows the unit to provide accurate quantified measurements for “go/no go” leak testing to a specific reject set point in areas where the helium background levels are dynamically changing. For program revision 01 or higher this feature can be turned off via the menu function. In addition 01 and higher zero suppression only operates when the unit is in a testing mode and enabled.
Hold the sniffer probe perpendicular to the test object. In operation, as the probe tip is drawn over the exterior of the test object, it samples the atmosphere adjacent to the test object surface. Helium escaping from a leak, will be drawn into the probe tip and pass into the Leak Detector through the connecting tubing where it becomes visually evident on the leak rate meter.
When probing products for general leakage location, always start leak probing from the lowest point on the product and proceed systematically to the highest point. This will prevent an unusual reading if a large leak is present at the lowest point and rises up.
The MD-490S Helium Leak Detector incorporates a zero feature that when initiated measures the current ambient helium back ground level in the testing area then stores this value and offsets the collector output so the display reads zero. This allows the unit to provide accurate quantified measurements for “go/no go” leak testing when using a specific reject set point. The LED located next to the ZERO soft key will blink once indicating the auto zero was active.
A high internal background is an indication that the system may be leaking. To check if a high internal background is present, follow the steps below:
1. Press the stop key and turn the filaments off.
2. Perform an Auto Zero function and then turn the filaments back on.
An internal reading of greater than 4 x 10–5 with the “Stop” key activated indicates a high background and means the system may have developed an atmospheric leak into the vacuum system.
Vacuum Instruments Corporation is a pioneer in providing state-of-the-art leak detection solutions for diverse applications and industries. Our systems have ensured the safety and performance of countless products that we use in our daily lives from the cars we drive to the air conditioners in our houses, the pacemakers in our bodies, and the satellites we launch into space.
