Assembling the source ion block assembly

Required materials

• Chemical-resistant, powder-free gloves
• Combined 2.5-mm hex wrench and cone extraction tool
• Isopropyl alcohol in small container
• HPLC-grade (or better) 1:1 methanol/water
• Lint-free cloth

To assemble the ion block assembly:

Notice: To avoid recontaminating the components, wear clean, chemical-resistant, powder-free gloves.

Notice: To avoid damaging the heater cartridge assembly wires, do not bend or twist them when removing the assembly and ceramic heater mounting block from the ion block.

1. Carefully fit the PEEK terminal block and ceramic heater mounting block, complete with heater cartridge assembly, to the ion block.
2. Use the combined 2.5-mm hex wrench and cone extraction tool to tighten the captive PEEK terminal block securing screw.
3. Ensure that the grooves for the cover seal, cone gas O-ring, and isolation valve O-ring are free from dirt and debris.

Tip: If contamination is present, use 1:1 methanol/water, applied to a lint-free cloth, to carefully clean the grooves.

4. Fit the cover seal (a new one if you disposed of the old seal) to the ion block, ensuring that it is correctly seated.
5. Fit the cone gas O-ring (a new one if you disposed of the old O-ring) to the ion block, ensuring that it is correctly seated.
6. Fit the O-ring to the isolation valve.

Tip: If you use a new O-ring, first soak it for several minutes in isopropyl alcohol, so that it better fits the isolation valve.

7. Fit the isolation valve to the ion block assembly, so that it is in the closed position.
8. Fit the ion block cover plate to the ion block assembly, and then use the combined 2.5-mm hex wrench and cone extraction tool to tighten the 2 captive securing screws for the ion block cover plate.
9. Hold the sampling cone assembly so that the cone gas nozzle handle is oriented horizontally and at the top, and then slide the sampling cone assembly into the ion block assembly.
10. Grasp the sampling cone assembly handle, and use it to rotate the sampling cone assembly through 90 degrees.