Applied Metrology in the Production of Superconducting Model Magnets for Particle Accelerators

The production of superconducting magnets for particle accelerators involves high-precision assemblies and tight tolerances, in order to achieve the requirements for their appropriate performance. It is therefore essential to have a strict control and traceability over the geometry of each component of the system, and also to be able to compensate possible inherent deviations coming from the production process. The objective of this paper is to present the experience from systematic geometrical measurements performed during the ongoing production of model magnets for the high luminosity–Large Hadron Collider upgrade. First, the methodology for the data acquisition and its ulterior analysis is described. Then, the results obtained in terms of coil geometry are explained with the goal of identifying the principal factors causing systematic and unexpected dimensional deviations. Finally, the integrated effect of assembly operations, cool down, and powering of the magnet is investigated looking at measurements before and after cold tests.