CUSTOM SKIMMERS - Please email or
call to determine availability.
We are interested in a custom skimmer design. Do you
provide design assistance?
No, we do not provide design assistance other than
suggestions to ensure Beam can make the desired skimmer. We will undertake the
production of a custom skimmer based only on drawings the customer provides. The
drawings must be adequate for the programming of a lathe in order to cut the
mandrel used for electroforming. This means the A, B, C, and D dimensions on our
specifications page are supplied by the
customer, as well as the wall geometry (straight or curved).
For any design, we recommend that a small radius be added
where the wall of the cone meets the brim. This provides strength and helps
prevent cracking at the joint.
Curved or straight walls can be chosen for the design.
Curved designs need to begin with straight walls of 3mm to 5mm from the apex and
then a radius can begin. The customer should specify the radius desired or
specify a “best fit” relative to desired outside diameter and brim width.
The first shop drawing is included in the cost of a new
custom skimmer mandrel. Any revisions will require additional drawings and
additional charges.
Your web site includes drawings of Model 1 and Model 2
skimmers. Do you have drawings of the custom models offered?
Yes we do, but not in electronic form. We will fax drawings
upon request but to help visualize the shapes, Models 1, 2, 5.1, 7.0, and 10.2
have curved sides while the balance are straight sided.
Could you help me understand the designation system used
for your skimmers?
The Model 1 and Model 2 skimmers are our standard models.
The balance of our skimmers’ designations refers to the length of the skimmer
in mm from base to apex prior to machining. This is dimension A on the drawings
and the specifications tables.
We’ve been using an old skimmer model in our lab and
need to replace it. The designation is a combination of letters and numbers
(e.g., UR-N2 or KFAJ-1) but there is nothing similar on your web site.
These are older designations for our skimmers, all of which
were converted to the number system discussed above. We can convert to the
current designation from the old style naming, or if need be, from measuring the
old skimmer.
Does Beam produce replacement skimmers/nozzles for OEM
mass spectrometers?
Yes. Beam supplies certain manufacturers with skimmers or
nozzles for their equipment. For example, Vestec incorporated a Beam nozzle and
two skimmers into their Thermospray ion source for a mass spectrometer. The Beam
products were designated AC-1 at the time and are now called Model 10.2. We
maintain an inventory of replacements for these parts as well as certain other
manufacturers. Please inquire as to availability.
Can Beam produce tapered cone walls? Can Beam produce
skimmers with brim thickness that is different than the wall thickness?
Does Beam produce skimmers with different orifices sizes than those
listed?
Yes, we can produce skimmers with dimensions other than
those listed, subject to our normal size tolerances. For example, we could
produce a skimmer with a 0.35mm orifice if desired. The price would be
interpolated between the 0.3 and 0.4 prices, plus the set up charge.
Can Beam produce skimmers with very small orifice sizes?
Yes, but the minimum size orifice depends greatly on the
included angle at the orifice. For example, we can produce Model 1 or Model 2
skimmers with a 0.1mm orifice. Other narrow apex angle models could also be made
with small orifice sizes. The reverse is also true. The Model 10.0 model with
its 90°
included angle cannot be produced with an orifice size smaller than about 0.35
to 0.40mm.
We would like to use a Model 1 skimmer but with an
outside diameter of 21mm rather than the listed size of 22.2mm. Can you produce
this for us by reducing the brim width?
No. All skimmer machining is done on the same mandrel that
was used for the electroplating and the finished dimensions cannot be different
than the mandrel.
Changing any dimension of height, included angle, outside
diameter or brim width requires the fabrication of a new mandrel.
Can Beam produce a skimmer with a narrower included
angle than any shown on your dimensions page?
Yes we can but it is expensive. The mandrel tip can break
off during fabrication and the electroplating process is quite difficult. Please
inquire regarding your design.
We
plan to mount our skimmer using holes drilled through the brim. Would Beam
provide skimmers with the appropriate holes?
We
prefer not to do any additional machining operations after the completion of the
skimmer.
Can Beam produce a skimmer from a refractory material?
Beam sourced a supplier who would form tungsten cones for
us, but at a very high cost. In addition, although our machinist has experience
working with tungsten, there is no certainty that sharp enough orifice edges
could be produced. Thus we would undertake the production of a tungsten skimmer
only if the process were fully funded by the customer, despite the results.
We have not and likely will not explore ceramics,
molybdenum or any other materials.