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Pneumatic System Check

Pneumatic System Check is a tool to detect errors with the pressure and vacuum regulators and solenoids in the TEMPEST instrument. The test automatically runs at the start-up or can be manually run from the Tools menu.

Opening the Pneumatic System Check from the Tools Menu

Important: Connect with the TEMPEST instrument to run the Pneumatic System Check. The test cannot be performed when the TEMPEST software is in the simulation mode.

Read the following sections to learn more about the Pneumatic System Check tests and results.

Regulator Check

Once the Pneumatic System Check wizard is open, TEMPEST will execute the Regulator Check procedure. The TEMPEST software will set target pressure and vacuum values and display either passed or failed status.

To display the Regulator Check results, click the Show Details button. If any of the measured values are outside of the allowable range, retry the procedure and/or contact FORMULATRIX support to report the issue. If there are no errors with the regulator portion, proceed to the System Leak Check.

Regulator Check Passed

Regulator Check Failed

Regulator Check Result

The regulator test results will be automatically generated in the table that consists of the following sections.

Pressure Chip	The regulator that provides pressure (Pressure Chip) and vacuum (Vacuum Chip) to the chip’s small and large diaphragms.
Vacuum Chip
Pressure Out	The regulator that provides pressure (Pressure Out) and vacuum (Vacuum Out) to the fill, purge, and output valves.
Vacuum Out

Detail Values of Each Checking and Status Shown in Table

Setpoint: The setpoint of pressure and vacuum that the regulators are instructed to reach during the test.
Actual (psi or inHg): The actual pressure values reached by the regulator during the test. To pass the check, the minimum and maximum Actual values of each Setpoint must be achieved within the Target range.
Average (psi or inHg): The average values that the regulators achieved during the test.
Target (psi or inHg): The passing range for a given Setpoint value.
Status: Shows the test results as passed or failed, indicated by the green check icon and red cross icon .

Status Indicator in the Regulator Check

System Leak Check

The System Leak Check detects any possible leaking pressure drop in the pneumatic system before generating the static values in the solenoid check. This check will not affect the dispense results accuracy, but will determine the Solenoid Check process.

The leak check is passed when the Pressure drop (Δp) value is less than the maximum target value (10 psi or InHg). If the pressure drop exceeds the target value, the following tests may be inaccurate and the TEMPEST will not proceed to the Solenoid Check. We suggest you to click Contact Support and Continue to get further assistance, or close the wizard and proceed normally. If a normal leak rate is detected, proceed to the Solenoid Check.

System Leak Check Passed

System Leak Check Failed

The system leak check results will be automatically generated in the following indicators.

Initial value (psi or InHg): The actual pressure values auto-generated by TEMPEST before running the system leak check. It will gradually change based on the system’s current condition.
Pressure drop (Δp): The differences in initial value and the last pressure value in 2 seconds during the system leak check.
Target (psi or InHg): The passing pressure drop value that must be achieved during the system leak check. The default value is ≤ 10 psi or InHg.

Solenoid Check

The Solenoid Check procedure verifies that the solenoid control valves are operating normally. When the Solenoid Check finishes, the results will be displayed in a table along with a clear pass or fail icon.

Solenoid Check Passed

Solenoid Check Failed

If any of the expected values under the Pressure drop (Δp) column exceed the default target value, retry the procedure and/or contact FORMULATRIX support to report the issue.

Solenoid Check Result

The Solenoid Check results are displayed in five valve functional statuses:

Small — Small diaphragm control solenoid
Large — Large diaphragm control solenoid
Fill — Fill valve control solenoid
Purge — Purge valve control solenoid
Out — Output valve control solenoid

The values displayed under the Pressure drop and Target columns assist the FORMULATRIX support team when troubleshooting solenoid problems. A simple test result is shown under the Status column.

Pressure drop (Δp): The differences in pressure values before and after solenoid switching.
Target: The passing pressure drop value that must be achieved during the test. The default value is >0,5.
Status: Shows the test results as passed or failed, indicated by the green check icon and red cross icon .

Disable Pneumatic System Check at Startup

You can disable the automated Pneumatic System Check at start-up by following the steps below.

Go to the Tools menu, and select Options.
In the Options window, select the Advanced tab.
Scroll down to the Pneumatics System Check on Startup option under the Device section. Set the option to False.

Configure the Pneumatic System Check at Start-up

Click Save.