b'Partner News Autumn 2022 17EnterpriseFabricatingWhat is the nature of the Universe? What is it made from? How did it begin? These are the questions scientists around the world the future ofare trying to answer using the worlds largest particle accelerator at CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research. high energyBut at LTi Metaltech Ltd, we are asking separate questions: what technology do we need for these experiments and, particleperhaps more importantly, how can it be manufactured? physics As part of CERNs High LuminosityIts formed from various sub-assemblies, Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) project, which seeks to increase the current LHCallowing for gradual construction of the inner integrated luminosity by nearly ten times,pressure vessel and the outer vacuum jacket, LTi Metaltech have been working alongsidewhilst maintaining access to the SL Link the University of Southampton to designduring installation.and manufacture a prototype distribution feed box (DFX) cryostat which will house theWorking to an evolving design, within BS superconducting link cabling in a 4K heliumEN 13445 and Category III of the European bath.Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU, as well as CERNs own tight specifications, it Comprising of an inner pressure chamber,wasnt without its manufacturing challenges.wrapped with multi-layer insulation, encased in an outer vacuum vessel, the DFXHowever, LTi Metaltech leaned into these prototype forms the critical section of the SCchallenges, providing valuable design for Link, bending 90 degrees around the tightmanufacture insights and successfully dimensional constraints of the existing shaftdelivering a prototype which is ready for and tunnel.vigorous on-site testing.Multi-million pound investment in new SMT machinesConsistent reinvestment in manufacturingIt leverages the Sigma G5 platformsNew tray feeders simplify refilling and allow facilities is key to maintaining the high levelsoverdrive motion principle, which managesnon-stop production and boards of up to of quality demanded for the innovativethe positional control of both heads in a810mm long can be effectively handled.electronics designed, developed andtwo-head setup to maximise productivity. manufactured at Pektron. Over 5m will beA new graphical user interface (GUI) invested in new facilities over the next 12simplifies setup and operation, and months, including 15 Yamaha YRM20 surfaceautomatic component-height teach, mount machines. automatic component-data creation, and high speed smart recognition quickly The YRM20 surface mounters will enablecreates data for any custom components.Pektron to increase its total placement capacity with precision accuracy andManufacturing Director, Ian Harpham, said: support the latest component types andOur customers are leading in a highly specialist boards.competitive marketinvesting in the YRM20 machines reinforces our ability to Yamahas new YRM20 can handledeliver industry leading electronic design component sizes from the very smallestand manufacturing services.0201 package, measuring 0.6mm x 0.3mm, to 50mm x 100mm x 30mm, and will placePektron reinvests profits into its people, parts at 98,000 components per hour. facilities and technology, a strategy that has delivered consistent long-term growth, This significant investment by Pektron is theunderpinning its future success and the first YRM20 installation in the UK and oneability to compete in fast moving global of the largest so far for Yamahas surfacemarkets.mount platform.'