Inking Troubleshooting Guides

Standard Controller Maintenance and Diagnostics      motorized-z (PDF 115KB)    auto-z (PDF 39KB)

Sequence of Operation
To initiate an ink dot, the Prober sends a 12-60 V (AC/DC unregulated) active-low signal to the Controller. After receipt of the signal, the microcontroller performs various checks of system status prior to firing the pneumatic valves.

Upon completion of the status checks, a 22.47ms pulse is sent to the Shuttle Valve, while at the same time a 6.4-24.8ms pulse (depending on position of Dot Size knob) is sent to the Cartridge Valve. 

Note:  In the X5200 Series Inkers the valves are part of the Valve/Manifold Assembly 231-0071 on the Inker Base and not contained inside the controller.  Sequence of operation is identical to the standard controller.

As the shuttle extends to the lower position, the air pulse from the Cartridge Valve forces ink out of the cartridge barrel and forms a drop at the end of the needle tip. When the shuttle is at its lowest position, the drop makes contact with the wafer surface and forms a dot. The shuttle then returns to the normal position.

At the completion of each dot, a small amount of vacuum is developed in the cartridge by the closure of the valve, preventing dripping. If another dot sequence is not initiated within 10 seconds, a short "puff" pulse equal to 1/2 the dot size duration (10-20ms) is sent to the cartridge to displace a small amount of ink back into the Teflon tube to aid in maintaining proper dot size after a long delay between dots.

Diagnostics
There are a few internal diagnostic tests available for testing the Controller. To enter the Diagnostics mode, apply power to the Controller with the "RESET" button to the right of the thumbwheels depressed.

The following tests are available:

Test Thumbwheels

1. Place the toggle switch on the front panel to SET-UP, set the thumbwheels to 12345, then reset the LCD Counter.

2. Press the RESET button and verify that the counter increments 15 counts.

3. Place the toggle switch to RUN, set the thumbwheels to all 1’s, reset the LCD Counter, and press RESET. The counter should increment one count.

4. Repeat the procedure for the rest of the digits (2 through 9). With the thumbwheels set for 00000, the counter increments 10 counts.

Test Dot Size Potentiometer

1. Place the toggle switch to DISABLE, set the HOURS thumbwheels to 01, then reset the LCD Counter.

2. With the Dot Size knob set at the minimum position, press the RESET button and verify that the LCD Counter does not increment.

3. Set the knob to 50% and press RESET. The Counter should display approximately 130 counts. (Variations in Dot Size knob alignment to scale may occur. An increment of ± 10 is not significant in this case.)

4. Reset the LCD Counter, adjust the knob to maximum, and press RESET. The Counter should display 255 counts.

Test Cartridge Valve

To test fire the Cartridge Valve 20 times:

1. Set the HOURS thumbwheels to 02

2. Place the toggle switch to DISABLE

3. Reset the LCD Counter

4. Press RESET. The cartridge valve fires 20 times, each time incrementing the LCD Counter.

Test Shuttle Valve

To test fire the Shuttle Valve 20 times:

1. Set the HOURS thumbwheels to 03

2. Place the toggle switch to DISABLE

3. Reset the LCD Counter

4. Press RESET.

The shuttle valve fires 20 times, each time incrementing the LCD Counter.

Life Test

This test will continuously fire the Cartridge and Shuttle valves for a predetermined number of cycles as set on the thumbwheels.

1. Place the toggle switch to DISABLE.

2. Set the HOURS thumbwheels to 10.

3. Set the DOTS X1000 thumbwheels for the desired number of cycles X1000 (i.e., 250 Equals 250,000 cycles).

4. Reset the LCD Counter.

5. Press RESET.

The Controller begins continuous firing, incrementing the Counter each cycle. To discontinue the Life Test prior to reaching the set amount, remove power.

Internal Maintenance

CAUTION: Use appropriate ESD precautions when working inside of the Controller!