Bi-Directional Transporter

Bi-Directional Transporter (BD Series)

Standard Range of Linear Travels with option of independent sample carrier movement
Bakeable to 250°C
Positioning reliable to ±1mm
Special Versions made to order
Customised chambers can also be provided to house BD drive
Allows sample transfer between two separate chambers.

One of the problems with transport devices such as MLRMs or RLRPs - especially the long travel versions - is that they take up large amounts of space on the outside of the vacuum system. This can pose a problem if it is required to connect two chambers together, but there is not the physical room at one end to fit an MLRM or RLRP to pass through both chambers.

The solution is to use a Bi-Directional Drive. It is designed to be mounted between two chambers in either an existing chamber (subject to a suitable mounting flange being available) or in a small connecting chamber (to be customer designed with advice from our Technical Support Department at VG Scienta).

The BD Drive.

The BD Drive is based around a rack mechanism (similar in principle to the LRP / RLRP devices) except that the rack is supported in the middle and can move in either direction parallel to the BD mounting flange. An optional secondary wire operated movement device allows a sample carrier to be moved independently along the length of the rack whilst still allowing the complete rack to be moved from side to side.

With careful design, the BD drive can be incorporated into your preparation chamber or fast entry air lock.

An example of a BD Drive