Machine Shop Overview

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• Machine Shop Overview
• Charles Matthews

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Machine ShopOrganizational Chart
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Current Number of Employees

• Machinists 18
• Welders 8
• Machine Shop Assistants 3
• Operate Cut Shop
• Operate Tool Crib
• Lube Machines
• Control Waste
• Rad Swipes and Rad Surveys
• Setup Radiation Machining Areas

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Current Number of Employees (contd)

• Machine Repair 2
• Repair Shop Equipment
• Provide Repair Service to Other Departments
• Staff Supervision 3
• Office Support 1
• Total - 35

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How the Shops Function

• The Fermilab Machine Shops are comprised of a
  Main Shop and four Satellite Shops ranging from 1
  to 4 Machinists in each shop.
• Main Shop
• The Main Machine Shop is equipped to handle large
  fabrications, special welding requirements, EDM,
  CNC machining and programming, prototype
  development, long and short run jobs, and perform
  radioactive machining.
• Satellite Shops
• Satellite Machine/Weld Shops are located in the
  major production and repair areas of the
  Laboratory. There are five Satellite Weld Shops.
• Offer the convenience of not having to travel to
  the main shop.
• Priority is established by the Group.

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Mission Statement for Machine Shop

• The mission of the Fermilab Machine Shop is to
  provide a range of onsite machine shop and
  welding capabilities coupled with quick response
  for
• Modification of existing components in support of
  accelerator and experiment operations.
• Manufacturing of urgently needed details.
• Machining of slightly radioactive materials
  (class I, II).
• Development of prototypes and proof of principle
  concepts.
• RD associated with new machining technologies
  and processes.

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The Future of the Machine Shop

• The vision of where the Fermilab Machine Shop
  needs to position itself for the future includes
  having the ability to
• Perform high precision machine operations in a
  temperature controlled environment.
• Fabricate rapid prototypes of complex geometries
  in composite and other unique materials.
• Provide quick turnaround on component
  modifications.
• Investigate challenging machine and welding
  processes that offer solutions to manufacturing
  problems.
• Provide a safe and efficient work environment for
  machinists and welders.

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The Future

• In the 21st Century a Laboratory, such as
  Fermilab, operating at the frontier of science
  will require a cutting edge support system.
• It is necessary, therefore, to position the
  machine shops in a way that it can continue to be
  an asset to the Laboratory (and not just a short
  run production facility).
• This will require state of the art CNC machines,
  water jet machining, electrical discharge
  machining, and laser machining/welding etc. will
  be essential to achieving our goal.
• Facilities for a stable environment must be
  provided for the reliable production of piece
  parts and prototypes to exacting tolerances.

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Specific Strengths Weaknesses

• Some examples of specific strengths are
• Able to handle high priority work on very short
  notice
• Capable of machining complex 5 axis geometry
• Machine radioactive materials
• Have cross trained personnel capable of
  performing multiple tasks
• Apprentice Training Program for Machining/Welding
• Possible specific weaknesses are
• Not able to properly train workers in new
  technology due to lack of training budget
• Antiquated lathes and mills
• Over crowded work areas
• Decreasing manpower
• Aging workforce
• Unavailability of an annual equipment budget