Cassette and Loading Tools: Fabrication & Vendor Information

The following directions describe how to fabricate SSRL cassettes and loading tools. In addition, individual cassettes, loading tools, and entire cassette kits may be purchased from Quality Machined Products.  Phone: 412-823-6016,  www.qmpmachine.com or Crystal Positioning Systems, http://www.crystalpositioningsystems.com/.

Contents List

  1. Sample Cassette - used for storage & transport of crystals
  2. Dewar Canister – replaces stock canister in dry shipping dewars
  3. Teflon Ring – to support the canister in the shipping dewar
  4. Transfer Handle – for transporting cassettes
  5. Magnet Tool – to mount pins in cassette & to test pin size
  6. Guide Tool – to aid mounting pins into cassettes with magnetic tool
  7. Styrofoam Spacer – to keep the cassette in place when shipping a single cassette
  8. Packaging
  9. New Loading Guide Tool
  10. Blue Foam Cassette Loading Dewar

Related Webpages:


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New Loading Tools

New Guide Tool - an aid in the transfer of pre-frozen samples into cassettes.  (This taller device will replace the standard guide tool.)

Custom Foam Dewar - improved container for loading cassettes requiring only 4 liters of liquid nitrogen for use.  This device is used to load cassettes with crystals and facilitates the transfer of pre-frozen samples from vials or pucks into cassettes.  

These new tools may be purchased online at http://www.crystalpositioningsystems.com/.


Sample Cassette

Description

The sample cassette contains 96 ports for storage and transport of crystalline samples mounted on Hampton-style pins. Two Cassettes fit inside a standard dry shipping dewar.

Assembly Drawings:

Vendor Information

Quality Machined Products Inc. will offer cassettes, loading tools and cassette kits for individual sale. 
Phone: 412-823-6016
www.qmpmachine.com


Sample Pins

Description:

The SSRL cassette supports Hampton CrystalCap Magnetic and CrystalCap Copper Magnetic pins. The allowed pins sizes are 12, 14,16 or 18 mm. The 18 mm size pin is preferred.  Hampton pins should be equipped with nylon cryo-loops which can be purchased through Hampton Research.

The MiTeGen pin base B2 may also be used with the SSRL cassette.  (The B2 pin is based on a copper magnetic pin with the copper diameter reduced to 2 mm over the last 5 mm.) The MiTeGen base may be used with the 11 mm MicroMounts, 11 mm MicroMeshes and with 10 mm nylon cryo-loops.  The 11 mm MicroMount uses a non-magnetic stainless steel tube.  Please note: the SSRL crystal autocentering routines are not yet optimized for use with the MiTeGen MicroMount. 

 

Assembly Drawings:

Vendor Information:

Sample Pins can either be purchased from Hampton Research, MiTeGen, or produced by a machine shop providing the above schematics.  

Hampton Research
http://www.hamptonresearch.com
Phone: 949-425-1321
Part # Crystal Cap Cu Mag 18mm

MiTeGen
http://www.mitegen.com/
Phone: 607 592-8812
Part # B2 Goniometer Base

Machine Shops:

Quality Machined Products
http://www.qmpmachine.com
Phone: 412-823-6016


Dewar Canister

Description:

The dewar canister replaces the stock canister in dry shipping dewars.

Assembly Instructions:

  • Canister Assembly

    Note: We recommend using cryo-epoxy for gluing the hook into the handle.

Vendor information for Cryo Expoxy Glue:  

Evroberts
http://www.evroberts.com/
Phone: 800-374-3872
Part #: EVR product # 002499 Versamid 140 (hardening agent)
Part #: EVR product # 000178 Epon Resin 828

Vendor information for Canister:

Chart Industries
http://www.chart-ind.com
Phone: 800-482-2473
Part #: 11752101 Canister SC4/2V (fiber glass tube and hook supplied but NOT glued together)


Teflon Ring

Description:

Teflon ring is used to support the canister in the shipping dewar incase the canister handle starts to bend.

Assembly Drawings:

Vendor Information:

Quality Machined Products
http://www.qpmachine.com
Phone: 412-823-6016


Transfer Handle

Description:

The transfer handle is used to move cold cassettes.

Assembly Drawings:

Vendor Information:

Quality Machined Products
www.qmpmachine.com
Phone: 412-823-6016


Magnet Tool

Description:

The magnet tool is used to mount pins inside cassettes and to test that the pins are the correct size. It contains a weak magnet on one side for inserting pins and a stronger magnet on the other side for removing pins from cassettes.

Assembly Drawings:

Vendor information:

Quality Machined Products
http://www.qpmachine.com
Phone: 412-823-6016

Vendor information - Strong & Weak Magnets:

Integrated Magnetics
http://www.intemag.com/
Phone: 800-421-6692
Part # for Strong Magnet: SMC018 0.250” Dia x 0.100
Part # for Weak Magnet: SMC018 0.250” Dia x 0.060


Guide Tool

Description:

The guide tool aids in the insertion of pins into cassettes and works with the magnet tool.

Assembly Drawings:

Vendor Information

Quality Machined Products
http://www.qpmachine.com
Phone: 412-823-6016

Styrofoam Spacer

Description:

The styrofoam spacer is used to keep the cassette in place when shipping a single cassette inside a dry-shipping dewar.

Assembly Drawings:

Vendor Information

Foam Distributors
http://www.foamdistributors.com
Phone: 510-471-5501


Cardboard and Styrofoam Shipping Boxes

Description:

The cardboard box is used for shipping and contains the styrofoam box and all the cassette loading tools.

Vendor Information:

SCA ThermoSafe
http://www.thermosafe.com
Phone: 800-323-7442
Cardboard Box Part #: 806KD
Styrofoam Box Part #: EPS 806 with dome style lid
(1 1/2" insulated walls, inside: 17 1/4 x 10 1/4 x 5)


Styrofoam Packaging

Description:

The styrofoam packing inserts are used for keeping all cassette tools in place when shipping.

Assembly Drawings:

Vendor Information:

Foam Distributors
http://www.foamdistributors.com
Phone: 510-471-5501
Part #: 2 lb. 'cassette kit inserts for foam box 806 top and bottom'