From: Hutch Neilson
Sent: Wednesday, January 05, 2005 9:34 PM
To: Barry Sullivan; Sam Barish; Gregory Pitonak; Jeffrey Makiel
Cc: Michael E. Viola; Phil Heitzenroeder; Wayne T. Reiersen; Richard J.
Hawryluk; Jim Lyon; Pamela Hampton
Subject: 20050105 NCSX procurement status

Wešll have our usual Thursday telecon tomorrow at 11:30.  hn

NCSX Procurement Update of 1/05/05

1. MCWF procurement

* The C-1 casting, which was poured and removed from the mold before the
holidays, has gone through heat treat.  The overall appearance of the
casting is good.   Analysis of the results  and visual inspection are under
way.  The processing is going well and it is forecast that the casting may
be shipped to the outside radiography lab next week, a few days ahead of
schedule

* One particularly noteworthy achievement: the casting filled very fast,
which may enable pouring of future castings at a lower temperature. This
would reduce cleaning time, thus improving overall lead-time.

* MetalTek completed flow solidification analysis for the Type A casting.
Lawton has completed modeling of the top half of the drag core box for Coil
A.  Modeling is progressing well and so far, there have not been any
surprises.   Lawton has begun gluing up portions of the Coil A pattern.

* Major Tool has completed all of the internal drawings for the machining
fixtures. The fixtures are currently being fabricated along with the
interchangeable mounting plates.


2. VVSA procurement

* Major Tool reports that the die designs are almost complete and they will
be ordering the die material soon.

* Fixture design is in progress.

Planning is under way for visits by project personnel to MetalTekšs facility
on Jan. 18 and Major Tool on Jan. 19.  The MetalTek visit will include a
joint meeting of the EIO and NCSX project teams to discuss MCWF program
schedules and issues.

Hutch Neilson