Precursor supplies, material processing systems with which precursor supplies are configured to be used and associated methods

Abstract

In various aspects and embodiments, the present disclosure relates to the manner in which precursor materials are provided to processing equipment and, more specifically, to the manner in which precursor materials of organic polymers are delivered to systems for forming and, in some embodiments, depositing the organic polymers. In one aspect, the disclosure relates to precursor supplies, which comprise vehicles, such as binders, supports and cartridges, for delivering a precursor material to a material processing system, such as a deposition system or other processing equipment. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to material processing systems with which the precursor supplies are configured to be used. Methods for preparing precursor supplies, using precursor supplies, providing process control, and recycling precursor supplies are also disclosed.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for operating a material processing system, comprising:
 inserting a precursor supply into a precursor receptacle of a material processing system;   detecting a communication feature of the precursor supply; and   controlling operation of the material processing system based on the communication feature.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein controlling operation comprises initiating operation of the material processing system upon detecting a communication feature that confirms that the precursor supply is compatible with the material processing system. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein controlling operation comprises initiating an operation protocol in accordance with information provided to the material processing system by the communication feature. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 sending information about material processing from the material processing system to the communication feature.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 sending the information about material processing from the material processing system to a remote location.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein sending the information about material processing from the communication feature to the remote location comprises sending the information to at least one of a facility of which the material processing system is a part, other process equipment of the facility, a provider of the material processing system, a designated maintainer or repairer of the material processing system and a provider of the precursor supply.