Fusor Forums

I indicated above that I would post the spark plug information. The spark plugs we used for feedthroughs were the Autolite 3095. This is a nonresistor plug with a 1/2 inch pipe thread. They are used in vintage engines, and other manufacturers list equivalents. The 1/2 inch thread is good from the standpoint of giving more clearance between HV and ground compared to a standard size plug, but is probably too large to use with a 2.75 conflat and still have adequate space for the gas feedthrough pipe thread. We were mounting the ion sources on ISO63 aluminum flanges. The aluminum ISO flanges have the advantage of being easier than stainless to drill and tap. The downside is that they use an O-ring seal which could be problematic due to heating from extended use of the ion source. One needs of course to cut off the side electrode. Cutting back some of the thread gives more HV clearance, but requires access to a lathe.

Dan,

Do you have pictures of the sources that you built? How are they working for you?

Photo below. We made four of these, but the project was tabled before we ever used them, so I have no operational data. Other than the flange and feedthroughs, we reproduced Andrew's sources as posted on his web site. I hope some day to resurrect this project and (if and when) will post data.

Center pole pieces, CNC machined out of 410SS, have arrived. The copper like color is due to chemical cleaning

That's enough for quite a few sources while only several of us agreed to buy one. Are you going into mass production or building a reactor with 100 ion guns?

Based on the setup fees for CNC machining a batch, it was most economical to have a large batch made for the parts that require CNC machining. I have 50 center pole pieces and will have 40 outer cases(hopefully they will ship tomorrow). Including all the other parts though, I have enough to make 10 complete sources.

But yes, this gives me the option of doing a limited mass production run.

Andrew Seltzman wrote:Based on the setup fees for CNC machining a batch.

Should have reached out to me Andrew. I'm always willing to trade.

We're now up to x6 HAAS VF2's, x1 SMM, x1 VF3, and a new 5 axis. We also just installed a new Fanuc robot to completely automate one of the VF2's.

Nice equipment, what are you guys building?

I partnered with this CNC shop for the duration of my research. My side of the partnership gives me a key to the shop and as a result access to all equipment outside their usual production schedules. Its been a fantastic relationship. The shop itself works a lot of government contracts. On my side of things, we're still working on a neutron source. Definitely reach out to me if you want some help in the future. Also, I still want to pick your brain on the your liquid feed through. Getting off topic now though. We can chat more about it later if you're interested.

http://host.atomiklan.com/bot.mp4

All parts except outer casings:
vented 10-32 screws
vented 10-32 standoffs
center pole pieces
SmCo magnet rings
anode rings
ceramic insulators
clip rings
0-80 nuts

Can I get a headcount for anyone interested in buying an ion source, they are $200+$7 shipping. They should hopefully be ready late this week.

So far I have:
1x David Kunkle
1x Garrett Young

The casings arrived today. Ten ion sources have been assembled and are ready to ship. I also have Emco F40 12v to 4kV proportional DC-DC converters to run them if people are interested in those as well. Additionally I can ship the sources with either the pictured male threaded standoff, or with a female threaded standoff.

40 Casings SmCo magnets installed Anode rings Anode rings installed Anode retaining clips and ceramic insulators Central pole piece and vented screw Assembled source front Assembled source back 10x sources Source testing