Precision machining, sheet-metal work and welding at the heart of CERN

From the writing of specifications and the production of high-tech components, to technology transfer and call-out work on-site, the MF group in EST Division offers CERN users a wide variety of services. Its full range of activities is presented in a new brochure.

In addition to its many physicists and engineers, CERN also has teams of mechanics, welders and sheet-metalworkers whose expertise is a precious asset for the Organization. Within the MF Group (Manufacturing Facilities, EST Division) these teams perform precision machining, sheet-metal work and welding. As an example, the Group has been responsible for producing radiofrequency accelerating cells to a precision of the order of 1/100th mm and with a surface roughness of only 0.1 micron. The Group's workshops also manufactured the stainless steel vacuum chamber for the brand new n-TOF experiment (Bulletin n°47/2000), a 200-m long cylindrical chamber with a diameter of just 800 millimetres!

The MF Group is assisted in its task of providing mechanical manufacturing support by several workshops, including Building 100 (above), and a comprehensive stock of advanced machinery.

To make itself better known, the MF Group has produced a brochure presenting its activities, which have evolved in recent years. Mechanical fabrication support for all CERN users, design offices, physicists and collaborations remains the Group's core activity. Drawing on more than thirty years' experience in CERN's high-tech fabrication projects, the MF Group builds prototypes and conducts feasibility studies with a view to technology transfer to industry. It also has a subcontracting support service, which handles the technical, logistics and commercial aspects of mechanical jobs subcontracted throughout the Member States.

But the MF Group's scope of action goes far beyond these activities. The Group provides technical evaluations, draws up specifications and gives advice on design matters in tandem with the design offices. In the framework of technology transfer, EST-MF and SM (Surface and Material technologies) built the first prototype module of the Linac Booster (LIBO), designed for the treatment of certain tumours (Bulletin 04/2001). The MF Group can also perform specific jobs on site such as the welding of the 15-m LHC prototype magnets. It also has a metrology and quality control service equipped with 3D inspection machines and contactless surface inspection devices. This service is currently playing a very active role in the inspection of LHC components.

Two customers look on as a prototype component for the LHC's Beam Position Monitor (BPM) is assembled. The prototype was produced in the MF Group's workshops from start to finish.

All these skills are enhanced through collaboration with other groups in EST Division, in fields such as surface treatment, metallurgical analysis or vacuum tests. This diverse range of services is available to all CERN engineers, technicians and physicists.

For more information to obtain the brochure or to visit the workshops, please contact:

Ginette Perréard, tel. 73197
E-mail : Ginette.Perreard@cern.ch
You can also visit the Web-site:
http://cern.ch/est-div-mf