Summary of NCSX System Integration Team (SIT) Meeting of Monday, April 26, 2004

1.   Critical FDR issues
The FDR documentation goes out in two weeks (May 10).  What are our issues and what can be done to improve on them in the short time remaining?  (Corrections to this summary would be appreciated.)

• Structural performance:  there are bigger gaps in the data than we’d like to see at this late date, though we may get the missing tension data next week.  The calculated strain in the conductor under magnetic loads (~0.1%) seems to be in the box from a field error standpoint but is a concern from a fatigue standpoint.  We don’t know how serious a problem it is for sure, and may not by the FDR, however less strain is better, so the philosophy is to reduce it by thickening the shell structure where needed.  It was agreed that Tom Brown’s involvement in this effort is urgently needed. Follow-up responsibilities were taken by Wayne and Brad.  A  meeting on the status of the MCWF structural analysis is planned for April 30 at 9:00 a.m.
• Modular coil cooling concept:  the baseline design appears to satisfy performance requirements but concerns have been raised about the potential fabrication costs associated with the making the chill plates and assembling them to the winding pack.  Alternate designs are being examined but they could impact the MCWF design, causing a potentially serious schedule setback. A meeting is planned for Tuesday, April 27 at 2:00 p.m. to discuss the situation. Decisions will need to be made soon.
• Vacuum vessel shell deflections: Large deflections (1/4-inch) under atmospheric loading have been calculated in some regions of the shell.  A local “patch” stiffener was evaluated by Kevin Freudenberg, but appeared not to help much. The addition of local ribs is being examined but space is tight. Resolution path is not clear.
  

2.  FDR Preparations

• Drawings:  A procedure for promoting drawings to the FDR release level has been developed.  A schedule for promoting the drawings has been laid out for the modular coils but not the vacuum vessel.  The issue is that the number of drawings is large, the process is good but time-consuming, and the hour is late.  Hard-copy drawings will be made available to the FDR reviewers at the time of the review.
• Documents:  A documentation plan has been developed by Reiersen and documentation responsibilities have been communicated to the team.  The issue is the volume of material to be produced in a short amount of time.  Continued priority-setting will be necessary. It was decided that drawings are adequate for defining interfaces and we will not have Interface Control Documents for the FDR.
  

3.  Preparations for IPR, June 8-9  (Neilson)

• Preparations for the Independent Project Review are moving forward. The charge, agenda, and review committee have been set. The dry run plan and speaker guidance will be issued this week. Responsibilities:  Hutch continue to work on the preparations;  John follow up on documentation requirements other than those required for the FDR.
• The SIT was asked to provide feedback on IPR plans as they are issued and to respond to documentation requests. However, the FDR has the highest priority for the Engineering team.
  

4.  Project Control

• April job status meeting is planned for the first week of May. Ron will announce.
  

5.  Next SIT Meeting:  Monday, May 3 at 11:00 a.m. EDT.

Summary by:
Hutch Neilson