From: Hutch Neilson
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2005 11:05 PM
To: Barry Sullivan; Sam Barish; Gregory Pitonak; Jeffrey Makiel;
gene-nardella-science-doe-gov-offsite
Cc: Michael E. Viola; Phil Heitzenroeder; Wayne T. Reiersen; Richard J.
Hawryluk; Jim Lyon; Pamela Hampton
Subject: 20050112 NCSX procurement status

Weıll have our usual Thursday telecon tomorrow at 11:30. Call 877-653-7764,
code 361326#.  hn

NCSX Procurement Update of 1/12/05

1. MCWF procurement

* Processing of the C-1 casting continues to go well. Initial visual and
liquid penetrant inspection were completed, with good results. Dimensional
inspection was completed this week by 3D ScanCo, the same laser scanning
subcontractor that inspected the Lawton pattern in December.  The casting
has been shipped to an outside source for radiographic inspection.

* A detailed review of the radiographic inspection plan was conducted prior
to release for that step. The extra attention was  prompted by warnings from
our German colleagues, who encountered problems in the radiographic
inspection of W-7X coil cases. The EIO team was responsive to the projectıs
questions about their inspection plans and provided satisfactory and timely
answers, enabling the inspection to proceed without delay.

* Modeling and assembly of the Type A casting pattern continues to proceed
better than expected, as a result of lessons learned on the Type C.

2. VVSA procurement

* Major Tool presented the basic concept for the 60-degree (half-period)
weld fixture.  The 60-degree section will be fabricated by joining two
fabricated sections almost in the middle of the section. The fixture design
is undergoing internal review and a final design is expected to be ready
soon.

* Major Tool reports  being behind schedule in die and fixture design tasks,
due to greater than expected difficulty with the geometry.  The decisions to
segment into ten panels instead of the originally planned nine is one
manifestation. This will be one of the issues discussed during next weekıs
visit.

Planning is under way for visits by project personnel to MetalTekıs facility
on Jan. 18 and Major Tool on Jan. 19.  The visits will include plant tours
as well as meetings to discuss program schedules and issues.

Hutch Neilson