VIBRATION CRITERIA

Nearly everything with electronics in it is susceptible to issues caused by vibrations. Electrical/electronic connections can be particularly affected as the metal to metal, often gold plated to gold plated, rub together.  Over time this may even cause strange intermittent problems.   It's smart to try to reduce outside vibrations on any electronic device.  

There are no published specifications for Agilent GCs or GC/MSs.  They are all designed to be able to handle a lifetime in the typical laboratory environment.  The GC is less worry than any MS.  Turbomolecular pumps spin at 60,000 rpm. Vibrations and shocks can crash the blades, causing catastrophic failure.  GC QTOF instruments must have excellent vibration isolation as vibrations directly affect the measurement of ions in those systems. 

I have used an iPhone app called, appropriately, "Vibration" - $4.99 USD on the Apple store to capture potential problems.  A train ran quite close by a laboratory every day. The app showed that while the train could be heard and possibly felt through the human's feet, there was no evidence of it on the lab bench where the GC QTOF would be.  If laid on my desk, that app can see my typing. The accelerometers in phones are amazingly sensitive.

GCs and Single Quadrupole GCMSs are regularly mounted in mobile laboratories. Those benches should have vibration and shock isolation. The instruments are not turned on while in motion.

What vibrations are you worried about? 

Nearly everything with electronics in it is susceptible to issues caused by vibrations. Electrical/electronic connections can be particularly affected as the metal to metal, often gold plated to gold plated, rub together.  Over time this may even cause strange intermittent problems.   It's smart to try to reduce outside vibrations on any electronic device.  

There are no published specifications for Agilent GCs or GC/MSs.  They are all designed to be able to handle a lifetime in the typical laboratory environment.  The GC is less worry than any MS.  Turbomolecular pumps spin at 60,000 rpm. Vibrations and shocks can crash the blades, causing catastrophic failure.  GC QTOF instruments must have excellent vibration isolation as vibrations directly affect the measurement of ions in those systems. 

I have used an iPhone app called, appropriately, "Vibration" - $4.99 USD on the Apple store to capture potential problems.  A train ran quite close by a laboratory every day. The app showed that while the train could be heard and possibly felt through the human's feet, there was no evidence of it on the lab bench where the GC QTOF would be.  If laid on my desk, that app can see my typing. The accelerometers in phones are amazingly sensitive.

GCs and Single Quadrupole GCMSs are regularly mounted in mobile laboratories. Those benches should have vibration and shock isolation. The instruments are not turned on while in motion.

What vibrations are you worried about?