NCSX Procurement Update of 3/2/05

1. MCWF procurement

• Welding of the C1 casting was completed. If X-ray inspection shows no weld problems, MetalTek is on course to grind, clean, inspect, and ship the casting to Major Tool by 3/18. Because the C1 casting has taken longer to process than had previously been estimated, a slip in the delivery schedule to early June is forecast.
  

• Major Tool has begun test machining of the prototype casting (a Type C) in the production fixture.  This has enabled them to prove out both the fixture and the computer simulations they have been performing, and to improve some of the setups. The Stellalloy custom alloy appears to machine as expected.
  

• Lawton continues to make significant progress on the A pattern. Two of the components that needed substantial modifications were completely modeled are now 75% and 40% through the router operations.
  

• The Type C pattern is being re-modeled in a new round of flow solidification analyses, now with the corrected solidification parameter. The re-modeling is nearing completion.
  

2. VVSA procurement

• Major Tool continues to machine the dies. All blocks have been received and eight dies have been machined.
  

• Inconel for 9 of the 10 development panels is on hand, trimmed and ready for forming.
  

• Engineering for 120-degree weld fixtures and port extension fixtures continues.
  

Hutch Neilson