7 July 2021
Our ability to manufacture ultra-high vacuum equipment was demonstrated recently with work for the FACET-II project at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in California. A stainless steel, rectangular section, beam tube was TIG welded to custom machined, knife-edge flanges. The machined components were made on high-precision CNC equipment using Sulphur free coolants compatible with high vacuum applications. During fit-up and welding, strict attention was paid to making sure the surfaces were kept free of contamination.
After manufacture, a comprehensive cleaning regime using alkali cleaners plus an ultrasonic bath was employed to remove any particulates adsorbed from the workshop atmosphere. Following ultra-high vacuum leak checks and vacuum bake-out, the chamber underwent RGA testing to ensure cleanliness was within specification.
The ability to control the manufacturing process in-house, allows us to take the special precautions required to manufacture high and ultra-high vacuum components to the highest standards. We manufacture chambers in stainless steel and aluminum. Where possible we either machine aluminum chambers from solid or use friction-stir welding to reduce potential porosity problems.