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Nuclear @ McMaster

Technical Services – Engineering Design and Fabrication

The Technical Services team provides essential engineering support for ancillary groups within Nuclear Operations & Facilities including Iodine-125 production, radioisotope development, quality assurance, and reactor operations

The Technical Services team provides essential engineering support for ancillary groups within Nuclear Operations & Facilities including Iodine-125 production, radioisotope development, quality assurance, and reactor operations.  Major projects have included the installation, set-up and maintenance of data collection systems for the Centre for Neutron Activation Analysis and the design, construction and commissioning of the apparatus for the large-scale production of Iodine-125. Smaller initiatives include the design and fabrication of customized research equipment and handling tools for individual researchers.

With access to a considerable number of resources, including a high vacuum system, residual gas analyzer, bake-out equipment, an orbital welding system and various electronic test instruments, the Technical Services team is able to provide the following services:

Design & Fabrication of items including:

  • Glove boxes, ventilated enclosures
  • Electrical/Electronic interfaces
  • Software (control & acquisition)
  • Filtration Systems (housings, cartridges)
  • Handling tools
  • Gas Handling/Vacuum Systems

Testing & Calibration

  • Pneumatic (Pressure) Testing
  • Helium Leak Testing
  • Residual Gas Analysis
  • General Conformance (visual inspections)
  • Calibration (torque wrenches, vacuum gauges, temperature probes)

Materials Preparation & Conditioning:

  • Degreasing (Solvent based)
  • Critical Cleaning (Ultrasonic w/ low residue agents)
  • Sterilization (MNR Hot Cell using 60Co source)
  • Temperature Cycling
  • Electro-polishing (stainless steel)

General Repairs

  • Vacuum Equipment (Diffusion, Rotary vane & diaphragm pumps)
  • Radiation Detectors (HPGe Detectors & associated electronics)
  • Electrical/Electronic Equipment

Commissioning (according to established procedures and/or guidelines):

  • Isotope production equipment
  • Irradiation facilities
  • Electronic control and acquisition systems

The Technical Support team has expertise in the following areas:

  • Electrical/Electronic Design (analog & digital)
  • Data Acquisition (computer hardware & software)
  • Fluid/Pneumatic Systems
  • Ventilation & Filtration
  • Cryogenics
  • High Vacuum
  • Orbital Welding (300 Series Stainless)
  • Beam port experience

For questions regarding contract technical services please contact us at reactor@mcmaster.ca