Vol. 53, No. 2        January 26, 2001

Manufacturing and production

The qualification of the MC4380 Neutron Generator was completed for the W76-0 and a major corporate milestone was met. This project showed for the first time that we can design and qualify a component to survive strategic radiation environments without underground testing. We also established a new Neutron Generator Production Facility and showed we can reliably produce neutron generators for the stockpile. This project was accomplished through the teamwork of organizations throughout Sandia. (2100, 1800, 2500, 2900, 3500, 4600, 6200, 6400, 7100, 8400, 8500, 8900, 9100, 9200, 9500, 9800, 10200, 12300, 14000, 15300) Patrick A. Sena, pasena@sandia.gov

The W76 Recertification Program was put on hold for six months to assist in the October 1999 deadline for the MC4380 Generator production. After coming back on line with full production of the recertification program and with reinstated ship requirements, the program picked up where it left off. We are now at 63 consecutive successful Quality Assurance Inspection Process (QAIP) submittals to the DOE. The program continues to meet 100 percent of ship requirements to the Navy. (9100, 2500, 141001, 14400, 10200) Norman Schwentor, njschwe@sandia.gov

A process has been researched and developed whereby micron-scale tools can be fabricated using a Focused Ion Beam. These tools may then be used on precision machining equipment to make micron-scale features. Previously, miniature machining techniques could only get down to the 50-100 microns scale. It is now possible to directly fabricate micron-scale components out of traditional design materials such as stainless steel, alloys, and ceramics. We expect this technology to have application in microactuation, microanalysis, medicine, and component fabrication. (14100) David Adams, dpadams@sandia.gov

The Manufacturing Enterprise (ME) (14181/14186) was awarded a Certificate of Registration to ISO 9002 Quality Systems on April 28, 2000. The ME is the first organization to achieve this recognition at Sandia National Laboratories and a first for the DOE weapons labs. It was a process that began three years ago with a vision to position the ME for the future. Accomplishing this task required major changes in our business processes, involved all aspects of our business and all of our people. (14100, 12300) Paul McKey, pcmckey@sandia.gov

Last modified: January 31, 2001

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