Rotary vacuum pumps are used in virtually every research lab, especially those engaged in vacuum science such as electron microscopy and mass spectrometry. In the majority of these situations the exhaust can and should be vented to the outside. Unfortunately, many labs lack this capability. Oil mist vapors emitted from pumps under a load can be quite annoying and may be a potential health hazard. Pumps located in small confined spaces such as microscope rooms, darkrooms, etc. are particularly a problem. Often the manufacturer supplied filters are either inadequate or poorly maintained.

Performing X-ray analysis on a sample in an SEM used to be relatively straightforward. Straightforward and not always very exciting. Things have gotten a lot more interesting, In jus! the past few years, the amazing development oi variable pressure SEMs has revolutionized the way we can look at samples. At the same time these new machines have changed the way we can image samples, they have also affected how we perform X-ray analysis on those samples.

I apologize in advance for the following gross simplification. For quite a lot of samples, the point and click method of X-ray analysis was and is sufficient to get meaningful data from a sample. Put the beam on a feature, collect a spectrum, and move onto the next sample.

The recent completion of a company-wide PC network system, supported by network servers intended to rapidly handle large data files from CAD systems, made implementation of digital imaging in the Corporate Materials Engineering laboratory of Case Corporation a wise investment. Laboratory reports in Microsoft Word with linked image files can be rapidly received through any of the networked PC's and are archived in the server system. The changeover from film imaging to digital imaging was very sudden. This change was accelerated by satisfied users, whose work was made easier and more productive, and satisfied customers within Case Corporation.