Building a Cyclotron: Using Computer Modeling to Design Machines

Joseph Saliunas!josephs703@gmail.com!

SDU Scholars!Physics!

Design Process

Impact Building Process

Future

IwouldliketothankBrianBeaudoinandBrianSh2ka,aswellasDr.PeelandtherestOftheSDUstaff,forhelpingmeonthisproject.

The process began with the design of various parts on Inventor, an AutoCAD software that helps the user create virtual designs of mechanical parts. The use of this program allowed us to not only come up with an initial design of various parts, but also allowed us to simulate the parts under a stress force to ensure they would allow safe operation.! Some of the pieces we designed included a handle to lift up the top half of the cyclotron. These handles would be attached to hydraulic cylinders which would provide the lift force; we thus had to ensure the handles would stay in place while the hydraulic cylinders were lifting over 1000 pounds.! On the top image, you can see the final result of the design on Inventor. On top of this, we designed a base which included rails running perpendicular to the cyclotron to prevent strain while lifting. !

After the conclusion of this project I will be continuing research with the UMER over the summer. I hope to continue with the construction of this cyclotron; hopefully we will be further into the construction process in the next few weeks. ! When I am done with this project, I also hope to start work on other projects within the same research lab, including some of the ongoing projects I have already done some work for. !

The next step after the design process would normally be testing. In this stage, we would perform tests on the hydraulic cylinders to ensure they will perform safely during the construction process. However, due to budgetary constraints we were not able to begin this step immediately. ! Instead, we began work on a Magnetron that acts like a smaller version of what we are building for the main project. Basically everything was designed, so we could immediately begin selecting and ordering materials. The first step in this stage was to pick materials to build various mechanical parts.!

Once we ordered some materials for the magnetron, we designed a table to hold the magnetron and provide storage space for various computers and other scientific apparatus. We already had materials available in the lab to build this table, so we were able to create a realistic design that incorporated what we had learned. In the picture to the right, you can see our final design of the table. ! After we designed the table, we took inventory of the materials available in the lab to ensure we had enough to complete the project. Once we did, we ordered some of the materials we needed and began construction on the table. This included using workshop tools to cooperate in its construction while learning various tool’s purpose and operation. !

Throughout the process of completing my capstone, I worked on three important skills that will likely be applicable in my future career. ! The first skill I developed was to work in cooperation with a peer. We both have separate, although intersecting, backgrounds in physics and engineering so the culmination of our knowledge helped in completing the project. Another important lesson I learned was the importance of frequent communication in order to complete tasks. ! Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I got a better grasp on on what goes on in an active physics lab, and verified my interest in the field. ! !

For my capstone project I aided in the construction of a cyclotron and magnetron at the University of Maryland Energy Research Building, under the supervision of Brian Beaudoin of the University of Maryland Electron Ring and with the aid of fellow undergraduate student Brain Shtika. The project involved the design and construction of various parts required for cyclotron operation. We also worked on a magnetron, which was essentially a scaled-down version of the cyclotron. !

Process (Cont’d)

Image#1.Source:AutoCADInventor

Image#2.Source:JosephSaliunas Image#3.Source:AutoCADInventor

BackgroundImage.Source:kingofwallpapers.com