The Mechanical Workshop service is primarily responsible for constructing research instruments and apparatus, either in-house or through collaborations with the Legnaro National Laboratories (LNL). Additionally, the OM supports the setup of the facility’s experimental halls and assists with the maintenance of research equipment, as well as the fabrication of mechanical components for the services and research units active at the Laboratories.
The service currently comprises seven technicians with specialized expertise in machining, TIG/MIG/oxy-acetylene welding, high-vacuum furnace brazing, and technical drafting/CAD-CAM design.
Work undertaken by the Mechanical Workshop generally originates from requirements or proposals put forward by research groups and discussed with the Head of the Technical Division or the Head of the OM. This is followed by a consultation and design phase with the Technical Office, leading to the finalization of detailed drawings and the subsequent fabrication of the components in the workshop.
The Mechanical Workshop is organized into the following main areas:
• Offices and Metrology Laboratory;
• Micromechanics Laboratory;
• Machine Tool Workshop;
• Welding Area;
• Tool and Material Storage Area;
• Sheet Metal Processing Area;
• TAV Vacuum Furnace.
The “Vacuum Brazing and Composite Materials Department”—located in the “High Energy” building—falls under the OM’s purview; it handles heat treatments and brazing processes, primarily for the production of accelerating cavities.
Mechanical Workshop Capabilities and Equipment
Offices and Metrology Laboratory
• CAD-CAM design using AutoCAD, Creo, SolidWorks, and Esprit software
• Wolpert hardness tester for Brinell, Vickers, Rockwell B & C, and Knoop measurements
• Mahr height gauge
• Nikon profile projector
• Hexagon measuring arm
• 3D printer
Micromechanics Laboratory
• Schaublin 70 Mi CF precision lathe with digital microscope
• Aciera F1+ universal milling machine
• Schaublin 102NVM lathe
• Goldsmith’s soldering/brazing station
Machine Tool Workshop
• URSUS, EST-Ticino, and Schaublin lathes
• DMG CTX1250 twin-spindle multitasking lathe
• OMV-Bfc1050 5-axis CNC milling machine
• CB Ferrari D19 5-axis milling machine
• Deckel FP3 and FP42 milling machines
• Sachmann RP3 milling machine
• 2x Sodick wire-cut EDM machines
• Schaublin manual milling machine
Welding Area
• Castotig 300A TIG welder
• Fronius 350A wire-feed welder
• Axxair D20-100mm orbital TIG welder
• Spot welders
• Oxy-acetylene torches
• Plasma cutting equipment
Warehouse, Tooling, and Materials Area
Extensive stock of sheet metal, as well as round, square, and rectangular bars in AL6082, AISI304, brass, bronze, and plastic materials
Sheet Metal Processing Area
• Waterjet cutting machine 3000×2000
• Band saws
• OMAG shearing machine
• Schiavi press brake
• Aluminum profile cutting saw
• Plate rolling machine
• Sheet metal punching machine