Fabrication of a prototype dipole for the SSC Low Energy Booster

The Low Energy Booster of the Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) will be a synchrotron containing 96 dipoles operating between 0.13 T and 1.35 T at 10 Hz. Each dipole's 1.865 m-long core is made from ∼2900 steel laminations (lams), each 52 x 66 cm and 0.635 mm thick. A need to minimize power supply costs and stringent field specifications led to a straight core with very tight mechanical tolerances of the order of 0.05 mm. To satisfy these tolerances, we decided to stack the core in a vertical position; i.e., with the laminations laid horizontally. We designed and built an unusual vertical stacking fixture that pivots into a horizontal position after all the laminations have been stacked and compressed and four support angles welded onto the laminations. The stacking fixture, our experience using it, and conclusions as to the merits of stacking such a long core vertically will be described. The methods of insulating and potting the pancake coils and their installation into the unsplittable core is also described