INFICON SQC-310 Thin Film Deposition Controller - Manual (Page 35)

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SQC-310 Operating Manual
Figure 2-12 Main Screen
The Auto/Manual key alternates between Automatic (PID) output control and
Manual (user) output control. In Manual mode, the SQC-310 immediately starts the
deposition phase for the current layer, whether the process was stopped or
running. However, the PID loop is disabled and the front panel control knob
controls output power.
In Manual Mode, you will usually display the Rate Graph, and manually adjust the
output power to achieve the desired deposition rate. It is easy to exceed a layer’s
Final Thickness in Manual mode, so watch the Thickness reading carefully. Manual
mode is particularly useful for determining preconditioning power levels, and loop
tuning.
Moving from Manual mode to Auto mode places the SQC-310 into automatic (PID)
control. The PID control loop will try to achieve rate setpoint, so there may be a
rapid change in output power.
NOTE: Don’t confuse the Auto/Manual SoftKey with a layer’s Manual/Auto Start
parameter. Manual/Auto Start is an Edit Layer parameter that tells the
SQC-310 to wait for operator intervention before starting a Layer.
The Zero SoftKey can be used to zero the thickness reading at any time. It is not
normally needed, since the SQC-310 automatically zeroes the thickness at the
beginning of each layer. However, it is useful when simulating a process, and when
operating in Manual mode.
Next Layer moves the starting point for the Start SoftKey to the next layer,
wrapping back layer 1 at the end of the process.
The last SoftKey on this menu is used to Start and Stop the deposition cycle. Press
Start to start the layer shown on the first line of the screen at the preconditioning
phase. Press Stop Layer to halt the current layer. You can restart the current layer
by pressing Start. Press Next Layer, then Start, to start any other process layer.