Each piece of
equipment has one or more Superusers, a
Technician-in-Charge of maintenance, and Qualified Users. To become a
general qualified user, you must go through the following procedures:
(1)
Read the operation manual for the specific piece of
equipment. Be sure you have a fairly good
understanding of the operation of the machine before
contacting a qualified user for training. This will save both of
your time and trouble. The lab manual is available on line on
the Microlab's web page, and in hard-copy form in three binders located on a
shelf above the Sun workstations, in the lab lobby.
(2)
Make an appointment with any qualified user of that
piece of equipment to learn the operation of the
machine. (Please do not ask staff members to train you on
equipment.) You can obtain a listing of qualified users for
any given piece of equipment here.
[Click]
(3)
Prepare and clean any necessary materials and
accessories. Ask the trainer about this when you make the
appointment.
(4)
While being trained on any equipment, the student trainer
should use the "recharge" option under the Equipment
category on the Wand. This way the student being
trained incurs the charges for the equipment usage.
(5)
After training, you should practice on the
equipment under the supervision of a qualified user, to become
familiar with it. A qualified user MUST BE
WITH YOU by the machine at all times while you are learning
to operate it. You are not permitted to use any equipment alone
before being officially qualified.
(6)
When you feel you can operate the
machine independently, you may start the qualification procedure. Review
the manual, paying attention to the study guide at the end. Not all manual
chapters have a study guide at the end, only those that require a written test
do.
[Click]
(7)
Take the written test in the Microlab Office (406 Cory) and
wait for an e-mail notification that your test has been graded. Come to the
office to review your test. If you passed, you will receive the oral test form
specific to that equipment, then make an appointment with a superuser to take
the oral qualification test. If you failed the written test, study some more
and take the written test again.
(8)
If there is no written test for the piece of equipment you
wish to qualify on, proceed to make an appointment with a superuser for verbal
qualification. General equipment Qualification Forms are available in the lobby
by the login terminal.
You will notice that there are a few exceptions to the
no-qualification-by-staff rule cited above, for especially sensitive
equipment, such as the scanning electron
microscopes, the pattern generator and furnaces. In these cases, the
script (Superuser) will appear only next to staff names.
(9)
Have your samples and materials ready for
the qualification process and bring your qualification
form. During the oral test the Superuser will
watch you use the system
while you explain your actions. If you are well
prepared, the Superuser will sign your qualification form.
(10) Place the
form in the marked box on the counter in the reception area in front
of the lab or turn it into the office. Your name will be added
to the computer database of qualified users, permitting you to
enable the machine through the Wand the following day.
K. Voros
3/01