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Timken Steel Used in Collider Project for CERN Physics Lab
06/29/2007 - Timken provided steel with a particularly high hardness and high machinability that was used for the construction of equipment for the European Organization for Nuclear Research large particle physics laboratory located near Geneva, Switzerland.
The Timken Co.’s steel technology helped Superbolt, Inc. provide equipment to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and its large particle physics laboratory located near Geneva, Switzerland.
CERN’s flagship project, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), used Timken® quality alloy steel. The LHC is located underground along the Franco-Swiss border. Experts have said the LHC, a particle accelerator, will be the world's largest and most complex scientific instrument when it is scheduled to be switched on in May 2008.
Superbolt, a Pittsburgh-based manufacturer of patented multi-jackbolt stud/bolt tensioning devices, was selected to provide 1400 Torquebolts®, Supernuts®, and pins. Those components were used in the assembly of 30-foot diameter magnet endcap disks inside the underground tunnel that holds the collider. To meet the collider’s large load and small space requirements, Superbolt required steel with a particularly high hardness rating that also could be machinable.
“The strict requirements differentiated this steel from standard grades,” said Chi Cheung, Timken Sales Engineer Specialist who worked with Superbolt on this application. “Superbolt presented us the opportunity to engage our engineering know-how to meet the specific and challenging needs for this unique application.”
Engineers and metallurgists at Timken reviewed the requirements and proposed a special high-strength, quenched and tempered alloy steel round bar. This 4.75-inch round bar met the strength criteria yet allowed for easy machining into specially designed Superbolt style bolts, nuts and related pins.
“We’ve relied on Timken for more than 20 years for a variety of applications,” said Robert Steinbock, President of Superbolt. “When bidding the business for CERN, we had to have a product on which we could depend for this unique application and a supplier to meet our timetable. We naturally turned to Timken, and we are pleased with the results.”
To complete its commitment to the LHC project, Superbolt ordered 120,000 pounds of Timken steel to make 1400 bolt style tensioners. The Torquebolts were pre-stressed and then shipped to CERN for installation. CERN recognized Superbolt as a top supplier during its annual awards program.
“Our ability to provide differentiated solutions for rugged and demanding applications like this underground laboratory allows us to deliver tangible value that helps improve our customers’ performance,” said Salvatore J. Miraglia Jr., President of Timken’s steel business. “We are a company that understands the science of metallurgy and the composition of metals. To have a role in enabling some of the world’s best physicists to better understand the composition of the universe is deeply gratifying.”
Superbolt®, Inc. is a Pittsburgh-based manufacturer of patented multi-jackbolt tensioners. This design allows tightening of any diameter stud/bolt with hand-held air/torque tools. Its state-of-the-art facilities house more than 30 high-tech CNC machines to produce all sizes of high quality stud/bolt tensioners.
CERN is the European Organization for Nuclear Research, the world's largest particle physics center located on the Franco-Swiss border near Geneva, Switzerland. CERN is a laboratory where scientists unite to study the building blocks of matter and the forces that hold them together. Founded in 1954, the laboratory was one of Europe's first joint ventures and now includes 20 member states.
The Timken Co. develops and provides innovative friction management and power transmission products and services, enabling customers to perform faster and more efficiently. Approximately 25,000 employees generated sales of $5.0 billion in 2006 from operations in 26 countries.
