PSI Manipulators FAQ

Do you prefer vacuum or magnetic bases?
Vacuum bases require a vacuum source (either the pump offered by PSI or in-house vacuum). Vacuum-based manipulators are much easier to position and fine-adjust than magnetic manipulators. Magnet manipulators are used primarily for test points that do not change.

Do you need a collet? Which collet material do you need? What diameter collet do you need? And on what length shaft?
Standard collets (devices that hold the probe holders), not to be confused with the collet shaft holder of various lengths, are made from Delrin, a hard plastic with good electrical isolation properties. Two collet sizes are available, 0.04" (1mm) is the standard size that works with most probes) or the optional 0.12" (3mm), usually used to probe larger diameter targets with larger diameter probes). Besides Delrin collets, PSI also offers optional Teflon collets in both diameters. Teflon collets offer higher electrical isolation than Delrin. Teflon collets are used primarily in specialized applications. Shaft lengths typically vary from 1" to 3" although PSI offers shafts up to 6" long. The shaft length you choose depends on how many probes you will be using and where the test points are that you will be probing. The higher the number of probes, the greater the length of the shaft for at least some of the collets. PSI offers shaft lengths from 1" to 6". Note that when shaft lengths are greater than 2", a vibration isolation table is recommended because the longer shafts are highly prone to problems from environmentally induced "jitter." These vibrations can come from sources external to your building (such as a nearby highway or railroad track). The standard 1mm collets made from Delrin with 1" and 2" standard shafts (both are provided with the manipulators) are usable for most probing applications.

How small is the smallest target you are planning to probe?
The number of threads per inch (TPI) in the manipulator thread screws directly affect your ability to position the probe tip. Four "finenesses" of thread screws are available; 32 TPI (for proving targets 10 microns and larger), 50 TPI (for targets between 2 and 6 microns), 100 TPI for targets as small as 1 micron), and 200 TPI (for probing sub-micron sized targets). The smaller the target, the higher the required threads per inch, the higher the cost.

How far apart are the points you want to test?
If the test points are very close together, rectilinear manipulators are preferable to standard mini-arc manipulators. Rectilinear manipulators have no "handed" orientation because all of the micrometers are at the back of the manipulator, making it very easy to adjust these manipulators even if several are located very close together. Rectilinear manipulators have fast 'Z' lift that allows the collet/probe holder/probe tip to be lifted quickly without having to make numerous turns on the 100 TPI or 200 TPI micrometers.

Other manipulators are available that include articulating arms and RF/Microwave. The articulating arms (four pivot points) that simplified repositioning the probe tip in applications where the probe tip is moved frequently. RF/Microwave configurations that include probe planarity and theta adjustments as well as optional probe head links. The microwave manipulators are available in both straight and right angle configurations. These links are required for microwave head probing.
 

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