In pictures: final weld in the LHC splice consolidation

Images of the last of over ten thousand M welds on LHC magnet interconnections that were performed as part of the LS1 consolidation work

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In pictures: final weld in the LHC splice consolidation

Welder Christopher Fenwick performs the final orbital M weld on the interconnects between two LHC magnets (Image: Maximilien Brice/CERN)

The final M weld for the LHC splice consolidation work was performed on Wednesday. The process is explained in images.

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1. A view of the connections between two LHC dipoles – powerful superconducting magnets that steer particle beams around the accelerator. The large pipe towards the bottom of the image  the M connection that carries the busbars and helium – requires a final orbital weld to seal it up. (Image: Maximilen Brice/CERN)
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2. Technician Christopher Fenwick fits a guiding ring around the sleeve to be welded. (Image: Maximilien Brice/CERN)
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3. The welding guiding ring and head are in place – the electrode can be seen in the pink head in the centre of this image. (Image: Maximilien Brice/CERN)
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4. The orbital weld begins. This is a highly skilled process that takes many months of practice to perfect. (Image: Maximilen Brice/CERN)
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5. The weld follows the orbit of the joint, melting the materials on either side to form a solid seal. No filler metal is introduced during the weld due to the small radial clearance of the pipes. (Image: Maximilen Brice/CERN)
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6. Once the weld is completed Christopher removes the welding head and guiding ring. (Image: Maximilen Brice/CERN)
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7. A visual inspection of the joint is made using a videoscope. The video of each weld inspection is recorded and stored. (Image: Maximilien Brice/CERN)
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8. The new weld is tested for helium-leak tightness by Christophe Jarrige – it passes quality control tests with flying colours. (Image: Maximilen Brice/CERN)
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9. The M-welding team, part of the Superconducting Magnets And Circuits Consolidation (SMACC) project celebrate the final M weld. (Image: Maximilien Brice/CERN)
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10. The job is done  10170 such welds have been completed. (Image: Maximilien Brice/CERN)