Horizontal CNC boring center machining a box chamber plate over 13 feet (4 meters)

Introduction

The Kurt J. Lesker Company is a leading manufacturer of high and ultra-high (HV & UHV) vacuum chambers. Customers throughout the world, in both research and production environments, count on us to provide first-rate chambers manufactured to their exacting specifications.

From smaller, spherical chambers several inches in diameter for R & D, to large box chambers over 13 feet (4 meters) long for production coatings, our expansive machine shop at our Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA facility is poised to service any and all of your custom vacuum chamber needs.

Building a custom chamber is as simple as 1, 2, 3 with the Kurt J. Lesker Company

1.Clarify Your Needs

Submit your sketch, CAD drawing, or process requirements by email to chambers@lesker.com or use the Custom Chamber RFQ (request for quotation) form. Our Process Equipment Division will review your fabrication requirements and specifications to resolve any design conflicts and provide you with a quotation.

2. Engineering & Design

Our Process Equipment Division and engineers work together to devise a sound, economical design to suit your custom chamber needs. During this process, your input is encouraged and timelines are established to suit all parties involved.

3. Manufacturing

Our cutting-edge facilities are equipped to handle the integral machining, inspection, and cleaning processes with the available on-site support of our vacuum technicians and engineers to ensure a quality, timely finished product built to your specifications.

Wire sealed UHV box chamber used to vary x-ray wavelengths

UHV R & D chamber with laser-aligned ports through multiple focal points

Common Geometries:

• Spherical and hemispherical
• Cylindrical
• Box and rectangular
• Bell jar
• D-shape
• Custom (heagonal, wedge, etc.)

Standard Materials:

• Stainless steels selected for low magnetic permeability
  • 304 and 304L SS
  • 316 and 316L SS
• Aluminum (6061)

Machining Capabilities:

• State-of-the-art CNC machining centers with accuracy and repeatability to 0.0002"
• Sulfur-free coolant used on machining centers reduces outgassing
• Robotic fixturing and laser alignment of weldable components for critical tolerances

Surface Finishing Options:

• #8 Mirror
• #4 Brush
• Glass Bead Blasted
• #2 B
• DA
• #1 Mill
• Electropolish
• Surface Ground
• Blanchard Ground
• Others upon request

Water Cooling Options:

• Double wall construction
• Water trace channel
• Rigorous pressurized leak testing of water cavities

Precision CMM inspection arms check tolerances

6061 Aluminum box chamber with hinged lid using gas struts

Inspection:

• Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) inspection arms check tolerances on smaller chambers
• In-process inspection probes retrofitted to CNC machining centers check tolerances on larger chambers
• Helium mass spectrometers sensitive to < 10^-9 Torr-L/sec used for leak checking

Cleaning:

• Deburring and passivation of components
• Biodegradable "vacuum friendly" detergent and di-ionized hot water baths ensure cleanliness
• Hot oven drying and other customer-specified cleaning processes available

Packaging:

• Flanged components capped and foil-packed for protection
• Expertly built crates, custom fixtures, and foam packaging ensures safe delivery