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User Manual

Table of Contents
6x6x6 Vacuum Cube Specification Sheet.............................................................................................3
Assembling a Vacuum Cube system...................................................................................................4Vacuum Cube Frame..................................................................................................................4Plate Installation.........................................................................................................................4
Mounting for Cube Plate Accessories.........................................................................................6Cube Coupling............................................................................................................................6Vacuum Port Connections..................................................................................................................7NW/KF Connections...................................................................................................................7CF Connections..........................................................................................................................7ISO Connections.........................................................................................................................8Window Plate Assembly....................................................................................................................8Accessories......................................................................................................................................9Thermal Vacuum Cube Plates......................................................................................................... 10
Liquid Nitrogen Insert............................................................................................................... 10
Circulatory Thermal Insert.........................................................................................................11Vacuum Cube Operation................................................................................................................. 12System Cleaning...................................................................................................................... 12Baking...................................................................................................................................... 12
Rough Vacuum........................................................................................................................ 13High Vacuum............................................................................................................................ 142016 © Ideal Vacuum
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6x6x6 Vacuum Cube Specification Sheet
Dimensions
6x6x6 Cube Volume

83.5 in3 (1.37 Liters)

6x6x6 Cube Inside Dimensions

4.38” x 4.38” x 4.38” (111.4 mm x 111.4 mm x 111.4 mm)

6x6x6 Cube Inside Surface Area

110.3 in2 (711 cm2)

Vacuum Cube Material

6061 Aluminum

6x6x6 Cube Mass (No Plates)

3.74 lbs (1.7 kg)

Accessory Mounting Threads

1 4/ ”-20Pressures
Cube Ultimate Vacuum Pressure
Maximum Cube Internal Positive Pressure

1x10-7 Torr
15 psig

1x10-8 std cc/sec atm

Vacuum Cube Leak Rate

Temperatures
Maximum Operating Temp (Viton Seals)

150°C (300°F)

Minimum Operating Temp (Viton Seals)-20°C (-4°F)

Optional Accesory Recirculator Trap

-100°C (-148°F) to -200°C (-328°F)

Thermal Inserts

Assembling a Vacuum Cube System
The Ideal Vacuum Cube is a modular high-vacuum chamber system,
conceived to enable creativity and design flexibility in vacuum
chamber system construction. Cubes can be stacked together into
various shapes and configurations, with interchangeable plates
offering a variety of features for connections, windows, andfeedthroughs.
Configuring and building a Vacuum Cube chamber is a simple process.
Once the desired plates have been selected, they can be quickly
assembled onto the Cube Frame. Single or multiple plates can beeasily swapped when reconfiguration is needed.

Vacuum Cube Frame
The core of a Vacuum Cube chamber system is the Cube Frame. Machined from 6061 aluminum alloy
and reinforced with stainless steel thread inserts, a Cube Frame accepts a single Vacuum Cube
Plate on each side (6 total).

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A 6x6x6 Vacuum Cube Frame is machined as an exact 6.000” cube. See Figure (1) for additional
dimensions. The exterior size of a fully assembled Cube system will vary based on the types ofplates equipped.

Plate Installation
On the underside of each Cube Plate is a tapered O-ring groove. Before installing a Plate onto
the Cube Frame, carefully clean the O-ring groove and install a clean O-ring around the groove.
For the best vacuum performance, be sure the installed O-ring has minimal twist. In the sameway, ensure the tapered sealing surface of the Cube is also clean before positioning the plate.

O-rings can be re-used many times, but should be discarded if the material has been nicked,torn, or otherwise damaged. An O-ring should also be replaced if the cross-section becomespermanently deformed and is no longer round.
Plates are fastened to the Cube with 1/4”-20 x 5/16” long socket head cap screws (3/16” head size).
When installing each plate, begin by inserting and gradually tightening 2 opposite mounting screws
until the Plate sits flush against the Cube. Then, install all remaining fasteners and torque in a “star”
star pattern to 75 in/lbs.
Vacuum Cube components are machined to very precise tolerances so that Plates will sit very flat
against the Cube and create a consistent seal over varying fastener tensions; over-tightening will not
improve the vacuum performance.

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In a 6x6x6 Vacuum Cube system, each Plate accepts up to 8 mounting bolts. If it is necessary toensure the best vacuum performance, install all bolts into the plate. For quick installation, a minimumof 4 mounting bolts may be used, skipping either the center or corner fasteners.
A Vacuum Cube system can be pressurized to amaximum of 15 psig positive pressure. When pressurizing
a Vacuum Cube, it is important to install ALL 8 plate mounting bolts for each installed plate. Serious injury or death may occur if
a Vacuum Cube is pressurized improperly or beyond its rated limit!

Mounting for Cube Plate Accessories
Vacuum Cube Plates are configured with multiple 1/4”-20 threaded mounting holes for adding bothinternal and external accessories to a Vacuum Cube system.

For the best vacuum performance, it is recommended to use vented 1/4”-20 fasteners when attachinginternal accessories to the Vacuum Cube. This helps prevent virtual leaks in the form of trapped air
volumes under internal mounting screws.
When mounting external accessories to the Vacuum Cube, be sure to select 1/4”-20 hardware which
requires .300” or less thread engagement.

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Cube Coupling
If needed, multiple Vacuum Cubes can be coupled together to create larger chamber volumes invarying shapes and sizes. Coupling kits can be used to attach 2 or more Cubes together.
A cube coupling kit for a 6x6x6 Cube contains a Coupling Seal and 4
Coupling Connectors. The Coupling Seal isplaced between the two
Cube Frames, and at alternating fastening points between the Cubes,a Coupling Connector can be installed.
To ensure the Cube Frames are aligned with each other, it is helpful toplace the cubes together on a flat suface as the coupling connectors
are tightened. Torque the coupling connectors in a “star” pattern to pull
the Cube together. Once the faces of each
Cube Frame have made full contact, tighten
the coupling connectors with a 7/16” wrench
until they are snug. As with Plate installation,
do not over-torque cube coupling hardware;
this will not improve the vacuum seal.

Vacuum Port Connections
6x6 Cube Plates are available with a number of standard vacuum port types and sizes:

NW/KF Connections
Standard NW/KF style centering ring assemblies can be used to make NW style connections to theVacuum Cube. These connections can be secured with the use of 2-piece bulkhead clamps, 10-32 x 1/4”
5/38” socket head cap screw 32 in./lbs. max torque / 8” max thread depth. 					•NW-16

•

NW-25

•

NW-40

•

NW-50				2016 © Ideal Vacuum
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CF Connections (Conflat®)
CF flanges can be attached to the Vacuum Cube with Viton CF style gaskets.
••••

CF 1.33, 8-32 x 0.50” Bolts

CF 2.75, 1/4”-28 x 1.00” Bolts

CF 3.375, 5/16”-24 x 1.00” Bolts
CF 4.5, 5/16”-24 x 1.00” Bolts

Vacuum Cube Plates with CF style ports are notcompatible with copper gaskets! Use only Viton gaskets
to avoid damaging the plate sealing surface.

ISO Connections•ISO-63, 5/16”-18 Single Claw Clamps•ISO-80, 5/16”-18 Single Claw Clamps

In systems where a standard plate design cannot be used, Ideal Vacuum can custom design
and manufacture plates for unique applications. Machine-able blank plates are also available todesigners who wish to create their own custom plates.

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Window Plate Assembly
Before a Window Plate can be added to a Cube system, it must first be pre-assembled. Before
assembly, clean the O-Ring groove and inspect the Window O-ring Seal for damage. Likewise,
before inserting the Glass Pane, inspect the Pane for chips or cracks. If the Glass Pane is damaged,
replace it immediately.
Installation of Window Assembly components is shown in the figure below. The Glass Pane is heldin place by a Window Trim Ring. The Window Trim Ring is held in place by four 8-32 x 1/4” socket
head cap screws. Use a 1/8” wrench to torque to 22 in/lbs (max).Installation of a complete Window
Plate assembly onto a Cube system is the same as other plate styles.

Exercise care when working around windows andviewports. Safety Glasses should be worn at alltimes when operating a vacuum chamber. Windowscan fracture and implode if struck by a hard object, causing
personal injury or damage to the vacuum system.

Accessories
Cube Plates have internal and external 1/4”-20
mounting threads for compatibility with standard
optical components mounting hardware.

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Rubber Vacuum Cube Foot Kit can be used forbenchtop operation.

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The Vacuum Cube Hinge Kit is compatible withall Vacuum Cube Plates and can be used toconvert any Plate into a door.

The Quick Knob Kit allows tool-less installation
and removal of any Cube Plate. Four Quick
Knobs are recommended for installing a single
plate or two Quick Knobs can be paired with aHinge Kit to create a quick access door.

Thermal Vacuum Cube Plates
6x6 Thermal Vacuum Plates are available for both recirculating and reservoir-based heating/coolingapplications in Vacuum Cube chambers. Thermal Vacuum Plates feature a breadboard patterntapped 1/4”-20 on 1” center for mounting standard test hardware components. (See “Mounting for
Cube Plate Accessories”)

Liquid Nitrogen Insert
The Liquid Nitrogen insert can be used to achieve cryogenic conditions
as low as -196°C. The 6x6 Plate insert has a reservoir volume of.14 Liters. Cooling the insert from room temperature requires
approximately 1 Liter Of Liquid Nitrogen.

When operated onan evacuated Cubewith no heat load,
the reservoir life of
the insert is approximately 240 mins.

Liquid Nitrogen insert should be oriented verticallyto avoid spills. Observe safe handling practices
when working with liquid nitrogen and always use
eye and hand protection.

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Circulatory Thermal Vacuum Insert
For precise temperature control, the Circulatory Thermal Vacuum Insert can be utilized to cool orheat a specimen. 1/4” Stainless Steel circulation lines can be connected with compression style fittings. Flow direction through the insert is reversible.
With standard hardware and seals, the recommended temperature operating range of the circulatory insert is -200°C to 150°C. If a greater temperature range is needed, contact Ideal Vacuum
Products for information on upgraded seal and plate components.
When needed, the Circulatory Insert Plate can be disassembled for cleaning and inspection. Whenthe cooling shroud is disassembled, inspect the internal O-ring and replace if damaged. Maximum
installation torque of the four 1/4”-20 x 3/8” button head cap screws is 75 in/lbs. using a 5/32” wrench

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pg. 10Vacuum Cube Operation
There are a variety of common methods in the vacuum industry which are used to help a systemachieve optimal vacuum performance. These methods and techniques can be applied with great
success to your Vacuum Cube chamber. With high-vacuum pumping equipment, a Vacuum Cube
system is capable of reaching 1 x 10-7 Torr vacuum pressure.

System Cleaning
Vacuum Cube Plates come standard with a blue powder coat finish on external faces. Powder
coated surfaces are durable and scratch resistant, and can be cleaned with a damp cloth. It is notrecommended to use any abrasive materials to clean Vacuum Cube components.

Surfaces which are exposed to vacuum have their original machined finish to minimize chamber
outgassing. Contact with these areas should be avoided in order to decrease contamination. It isbest to wear gloves when cleaning Cube components. Do not touch vacuum surfaces (surfaces without blue powder coat) with bare hands.
When assembling a Vacuum Cube system, be sure to wipe all vacuum surfaces down with clean,lint-free wipes. A solvent such as Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) or Methanol can be used to remove residue
or other contamination. If water is used to clean vacuum surfaces, it is important to thoroughly dry
components before use. (See Baking)

Baking
It is permissible to bake Vacuum Cube components in vacuum oven prior to assembly. This process
will pre-outgas the components and improve chamber pumping speed. For best results immediately
assemble the Vacuum Cube and pump down the system following a bake cycle.
The Vacuum Cube system can also be baked during pumpdown in order to quickly achieve ultimate vacuum pressure. The maximum recommended baking temperature for degassing or during
operation is 300°F (150°C). If higher baking temperatures are required, please contact Ideal Vacuum
Products for information on high-temperature Vacuum Cube accessories.

Be caution when baking, high temperatures may bepresent. Gloves and safety glasses should be wornat all times.

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Rough Vacuum
For a single cell Vacuum Cube system, a 2-4 CFM roughing vacuum pump will achieve good pumpdown performance. Typically a single Vacuum Cube can reach the ultimate pressure of its roughpump within a few minutes. (See “Pumping Curves”) Refer to the table below for a list of suggested
vacuum pumps for the Vacuum Cube system.

Recommended Rough Vacuum Pumps
BrandModel

Agilent

IDP-3

Agilent

Pumping Speed

Ultimate Pressure

Dry Scroll

2.1 CFM2.47 Torr

SH-110Dry Scroll4.0 CFM

4.95 Torr

Agilent

DS-42

Rotary Vane

1.2 CFM

3 TorrAgilent

DS-102

Rotary Vane

3.5 CFM

0.75 Torr

Edwards

NXDS-6i

Dry Scroll

4.0 CFM1.50 Torr

Edwards

E2M0.7

Rotary Vane

0.65 CFM

1.20 Torr

Edwards

E3M1.5

Rotary Vane

1.2 CFM1.20 Torr

Edwards

RV3

Rotary Vane

2.6 CFM1.50 Torr

Leybold

SC5D

Dry Scroll

3.8 CFM3.75 Torr

Leybold

Trivac D4B

Rotary Vane

3 CFM

0.75 Torr

Pfeiffer

ACP 15

Dry Roots

8.5 CFM2.25 Torr

Pfeiffer

DUO 3

Rotary Vane

2.5 CFM3.75 Torr2016 © Ideal Vacuum
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High Vacuum
When high vacuum is needed, a roughing pump should be augmented with a turbo-molecular pump.
An 80 L/s turbo pump pairs well with the Vacuum Cube to easily reach pressures down to 5x10-7 Torr.
(See “Pumping Curves”)

Recommended Turbo Molecular Pumps
Brand

Model

Pumping Speed

Pfeiffer

HiPace 80

60 L/sAgilent

TwisTorr 84-FS

53 L/sEdwards

EXT 75DX61 L/s

Leybold

TurboVac TMP 5055 L/s

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Ordering List
6x6 Plates
REFERENCE 					

23
910
15
20
23
24
25
26
27
28

DESCRIPTION				

6x6 Vacuum Cube Chamber Plate With One Each KF-25 Pumping or Feedthrough Port 		
6x6 Vacuum Cube Chamber Blank Plate, Glass Viewing Window, Plate Assembly			
6x6 Vacuum Cube Chamber Plate With One Each KF-40 Pumping or Feedthrough Port 		
6x6 Vacuum Cube Chamber Plate With 4 KF-16 Pumping of Feedthrough Ports			
6x6 Vacuum Cube Chamber Blank Plate, Without Flanged Ports, 6061 Aluminum Alloy 		
6x6 Vacuum Cube Chamber Plate With One Each ISO-63 Pumping or Feedthrough Port		
6x6 Vac. Cube Chamber, Liquid Nitrogen LN2 High Vac. Pumping Trap Cryogenic Fixture		
6x6 Vacuum Cube Chamber Plate With One Each KF-50 Pumping or Feedthrough Port 		
6x6 Vac. Cube Chamber Plate With One Each CF 2.75 in. Pumping or Feedthrough Port		
6x6 Vac. Cube Chamber Plate With One Each CF 3.375 in. Pumping or Feedthrough Port		
6x6 Vac. Chamber Plate With One Each CF 4.75 in. Pumping or Feedthrough Port			
6x6 Vac. Cube Chamber, Thermal Vac. Test Fixture for Cooled or Heated Vac Instrument 		

Accessories

REFERENCE 					1445,6,13,175,6
17
13
13,1613,16211918
1127811DESCRIPTION				

6x6x6 In. Vacuum Chamber Frame Only, 6061 Aluminum Alloy				Hinge Assembly & Hardware. Turns Any Plate Into a Door on 6x6x6 Vacuum Cube		
Multicube Inner Connection Coupling Kit for 6x6x6 Vacuum Cubes, Inc. Hardware & Seals
Multicube Vacuum Tight Coupling Connector, For Joining Two 6x6x6 Vacuum Cube EndsMulticube Connecting Hardware, Inner Frame Connector, Includes Nut & Washer		Replacement Viton Sealing O-ring, Designed For Sealing 6x6 Vacuum Cube Plates 		Hardware Kit, Viton O-rings & Plate Bolts, For 6x6x6 Vacuum Cubes Plates		Hardware Kit, High-Temperature & Chemical-Resistant, O-rings & Plate Bolts, for 6x6 Plates
Rubber Vibration Support Feet Kit, Designed to Thread Into Any Plate for 6x6x6 Cube		ISO-63 Centering Ring, Aluminum with Viton O-ring						Single Claw Clamp, Metric 8x35L Bolt, for ISO-63 Port					KF-25 Bulkhead Clamp									KF-25 Centering O-ring									KF-40 Bulkhead Clamp									KF-16 Centering O-ring									KF-16 Bulkhead Clamp									2016 © Ideal Vacuum
12142016 - V 1.1|(505) 872-0037|

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PART No.

P106865
P106869
P106863P106866
P106862
P106864
P107301
P107296
P107298
P107299
P107300
P107302PART No.

P106861P106868
P106870
P106867
P107292
P107295
P107293
P107294
P107297
P101766
P101786
P104599
P101961P104600
P101960
P104598

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pg. 14Stack 6x6x6 Exploded View

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Ideal Vacuum5910 Midway Park Blvd. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109(505) 872-0037
www.idealvac.com

2016 © Ideal Vacuum
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