Instruction manual

Calibration, Maintenance, Troubleshooting and Warranty
Adjustment Screw Maintenance Procedure
Rev. B MultiMode SPM Instruction Manual 327
2. Use a swab stick (e.g., Q-tip, Puritan swab, etc.) to carefully clean grit from the threaded
brass inserts. Be sure to remove all grit from threads; air dry.
3. Carefully inspect surfaces for signs of wear or damage. If small burrs are visible inside of the
threaded brass inserts, they may removed by gently sanding with fine emory cloth, then
recleaned using a swab and solvent. If threads are cross-threaded or stripped, the unit will
have to returned to Veeco for repair.
15.14.4 Clean Guide Bushings
Plastic guide bushings are installed to stabilize screws and increase rigidity. Tolerances between
screws and bushings are very tight, necessitating removal of all grit. Use a swab and methanol as
described above to clean bushings thoroughly.
Note: It is not necessary to remove setscrews from the scanner base to clean bushings.
(Setscrews are used only to apply pressure to the shoulder of each adjustment
screw; see diagram above.) If setscrews are removed, they should be retorqued
to approximately 4 in/oz., or until the adjustment screw can be turned snugly
without binding.
15.14.5 Lubricate
Apply a very fine layer of lubricant to each adjustment screw. Lubricant may consist of high-
vacuum grease, optical coupling grease, or equivalent. Screws should exhibit a slight sheen and no
more, indicating that they have been finely coated.
Note: Excessive use of oil and grease on screws can cause the head to drift slightly.
This is due to a slow displacement of lubricant between the screw and threaded
insert. As lubricant is slowly squeezed out between the screw and threaded
insert, the screw settles, causing the head to lower itself (and the tip) toward the
sample. This is especially apparent during atomic-resolution imaging.
15.14.6 Reinstall
1. Verify that all screws, threaded inserts and plastic bushings are free of grit.
2. Replace adjustment screws in their threaded inserts. Carefully turn them down clockwise
until the shoulder of the screw engages the plastic bushing, and the screw’s ball bearing
appears at the top of the scanner body.
Note: If screws bind during reinstallation, stop immediately. Back the screw out again,
reclean as described above, then redo installation. Recheck that the setscrew is
properly torqued at the plastic bushing. If screw still cannot be installed without
binding, return to Veeco for repair.
3. Verify that each screw turns freely in both directions, but feels snug. (Adjustment screws
should turn freely while exhibiting sufficient rigidity to stabilize the head).