Mechanical Technology
The Mechanical Technology (MT) department consists of approximately 30 technicians with vocational, higher vocational, and university degrees. The core task of the MT department is to develop, design, and implement mechanical solutions for the predominantly international projects in which Nikhef participates.
How does MT operate?
At Nikhef, physicists, mechanical engineers, instrument makers, and electrical engineers work closely together to develop equipment. They utilize a wide range of skills and technologies, including lightweight and rigid structures, vacuum systems, cooling, cryogenics, welding, and high-pressure applications.
The workshop is equipped with modern computer-controlled machines, and finished parts are measured with micrometre precision to ensure accuracy. Final assembly takes place in cleanrooms—specially controlled environments kept free of dust and contaminants.
The MT department works primarily with lightweight materials and composites. These are used in particle detectors, where everything except the sensors themselves must be as “invisible” as possible to particles—meaning the materials must interfere with passing particles as little as possible. This requires careful investigation of how materials behave under the influence of heat and humidity to ensure that measurements remain accurate.
Using mathematical models and finite element analysis software, the properties of a design are predicted as accurately as possible. Are the required specifications met? Can the design be stiffer, more precise, or made with even less material? Is the generated heat sufficiently dissipated? Are electrical or magnetic fields sufficiently shielded?
Optimization in advance saves time and money in the next phase: building a functional prototype. During prototype construction, the manufacturing process is evaluated: what difficulties are encountered, how fragile is the product, what is the quality, what level of accuracy is achievable, have the specifications been met, and how efficient is the manufacturing process? The prototype is then tested for functionality.
Based on the prototype’s test results, a final design of the product is created. In the final phase, the final product is built and installed at its destination.
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Why does Nikhef have its own MT department and workshop?
Many components used in the international research facilities for (astro)particle physics to which Nikhef contributes are completely unique, meaning they simply cannot be purchased off-the-shelf. In some cases, the components are so complex that no industrial partners are available who are willing or able to manufacture them. Instead, they must be designed and manufactured in-house at Nikhef to meet the exceptionally strict standards set by the (astro)particle physics community.
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What facilities does the MT department have at its disposal?
The instrument makers have at their disposal:
- Modern computer-controlled metalworking machines, such as a CNC 5-axis milling machine
- Measuring machines
- 3D printers
- Assembly rooms, vacuum lab, cooling lab, welding shops, machining shop, blasting room, spray booth
- Cleanrooms
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How does the collaboration between MT and the research departments work?
Nikhef’s Mechanical Technology department turns scientific ideas into physical reality. When researchers design an experiment, they present their requirements to the mechanical engineers, who then figure out how to actually build it.
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More information
Group Leader, Mechanical Technology Department
