Particle Accelerators

UHV Design is now firmly established among the particle accelerator community as the supplier of choice for UHV manipulation devices ranging from linear actuators through to complete multi-axis sample manipulators.  We have worked closely with our customers to solve specific manipulations problems, particlularly in beam diagnostics. See the 'Application Examples' below.
Read about our recent work with CERN to remove bellows from critical beamline applications here:  https://physicsworld.com/a/uhv-design-advances-bellows-free-drive-for-critical-beamline-applications-at-cern/ 
 

 UHV Design is able to rapidly and competitively customise its UHV manipulators, already the largest range in the world, to meet the required facility wiring standards and communications specification.

EXAMPLE APPLICATION |
WIRE SCANNER POSITIONING

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The Challenge:
 

Ultra-reliable and precise positioning of a Wire Scanner with minimal deflection under vacuum load which meets the customer's wiring and communication (encoder) standards.
 

Our Solution:

We designed and supplied a motorised ballscrew driven linear shift mechanism which offers high positional precision and repeatibility with outstanding reliability. In addition, the ballscrew design offers <1mrad defection under vacuum load (compared with 2mrad for our standard linear shift range).

For more information on this application or for advice if you have a similar requirement, please contact us.

 

 

EXAMPLE APPLICATION |
3-POSITION BEAM DIAGNOSTICS

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The Challenge:
 

Supply a pneumatically actuated 3-position linear shift (retracted, extended and intermediate positions) with positional repeatability of the intermediate stop of <+/-0.05mm.
 

Our Solution:

We designed and supplied a 3-position pneumatically actuated linear shift mechanism with positional reproducibilty of the intermediate stop of +/-0.02mm. The linear shift was designed to work with a fail-safe pneumatic circuit with a provision for the linear shift to use a padlock in the retracted position. In addition we incorporated a 2 degree tilt into the travelling flange to aid with the final alignment of the beam diagnostic equipment

 

For more information on this application or for advice if you have a similar requirement, please contact us.

EXAMPLE APPLICATION |
REMOVING BELLOWS FROM CRITICAL BEAMLINE APPLICATIONS FOR CERN

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The Challenge:
 

Spring-loaded magnetically-coupled device provides a fail-safe solution that could reduce unscheduled downtime due to loss of ultrahigh vacuum. CERN were looking for a solution to eliminate bellows drives where possible.
 

Our Solution

The magnetically-coupled  Pneumatically Actuated Linear Translator (PAT) drive has been designed specifically to eliminate the need to use bellows in beamline applications such as positioning diagnostics. 

 

Available in strokes up to 100mm and actuated using a side mounted rodless pneumatic cylinder the design incorporates 2 constant force springs for fail-safe operation in the event of loss of electrical power or air supply.

Utilising UHV Design’s magnetic coupling technology, the PAT drive has a linear breakaway thrust of 90N. Linear speed up to 50mm/s.