|
How are we meeting the demands of the European Organisation
for Nuclear Research (CERN) - the world's largest particle
physics laboratory.
Accles & Pollock are amongst a group of select UK
companies to win a major supply contract to provide
CERN with components for their principal current project
- The Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
The Collider is being installed 100 metres underground,
in a circular 27Km tunnel, at CERN's Headquarters in
Geneva, Switzerland. The project, funded by 20 European
countries, is the most advanced in the world for studying
accelerated particle behaviour. This branch of science
may have far-reaching applications for the future of
power generation and other industrial and medical applications.
Operating at absolute zero
Against strong European competition Accles &
Pollock were awarded the contract for 'Finishing the
Beam Screen Tube' assemblies. These assemblies run through
the whole tunnel, acting as a deflector guide to the
proton beams, which will travel in opposite directions
and are guided by sophisticated magnets. After encouraging
particle collisions of up to 800 million times a second
within the tunnel, scientists from all over the world
will observe the resulting reaction. Operating conditions
for the assembly are unusual to say the least, including
the fact that the operating temperature of the Accelerator
is nearly -273oC (absolute
zero).
Each Beam Screen Assembly varies between 6 metres and
16 metres long, which then have to be transported to
CERN, and joined inside the tunnel. Due to the length
of each assembly, an exacting approach to mechanical
handling operations was applied to our site.
In order to ensure precise fitment between the sections
Accles & Pollock have developed a 'precision cut
to length' laser cutting process.
Because of the unusual operating conditions of the Accelerator,
cooler tubes have to be assembled on either side of
the main tube. Also attached are a series of guide,
retaining and end fittings. Accles & Pollock's research
and development of the process has led to laser welding
methods which are controlled by the provision of multi-axis
robots, ensuring consistent and precise welding operations.
The integrity of the welds for these smaller diameter
tubes and fittings is critical to the project. The absence
of leaks is vital to the particle acceleration process,
where access for repairs would be highly problematic.
An Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) leak testing process has
been incorporated within the Accles & Pollock clean
room facility.
Each of the above facilities ensures that CERN quality
requirements are met to the very high levels of functionality,
cleanliness and finish. In order to ensure that the
process is critically controlled throughout, every stage
of production is carried out and monitored within a
temperature and environmentally controlled unit.
Partners in design and planning
A partnership between CERN's own project engineers and
ourselves refined the product design and planned methods
of production prior to the selection of the new facilities
and equipment. Working with a number of carefully selected
UK based specialists the entire facility was then specified,
project managed, and commissioned by Accles & Pollock.
After successfully completing the prototype phase of
the contract we are now producing and delivering 'Beam
Screen Tubes' to a mutually agreed schedule.
The project has led to Accles & Pollock becoming
involved with CERN, and other allied organisations,
on a number of other exciting projects within the scientific
field.
Our customers have always acknowledged and appreciated
our willingness to take a flexible approach in assisting
them to develop and arrive at the most suitable solutions
to their needs. This project has demonstrated our commitment
to continue in this vein.
Our aim is always to utilise our operational facilities
in a creative and cost-efficient way. More importantly,
we will tap into the fund of accumulated engineering
expertise embodied in the company to help provide an
efficient outcome for you.
It may not create a big bang, but it could make a big
difference to you and your colleagues.
|
