Computing and Administrative Services

The following services are available to Users:

• Wireless Internet connection. Once your appointment is finalized you will have access to the UT wireless network. If you are not able to access the network, please contact the TPW staff first. If the issue is still not resolved please contact UT CNS IT.
• Computers and software. A very limited set of computers are available. The User should bring his or her own computer(s).
• Office space. Office space is limited to the control room only. This is an active area during experimental campaigns. Executing laser shots and internal meetings can temporarily limit the User’s access.
• Scanning, copies, and faxes. A scanner, copier, and fax machine are available to the User. The services are located on the 12th floor in room 12.204.

Cryogenics Shop

The shop can provide several types of gas cylinders containing nitrogen, helium, argon, hydrogen, methane, etc.; check purity before relying on them. The shop can also provide liquid nitrogen (TPW owns a 240 L dewar), and liquid helium (TPW does not own a dewar). Liquid helium is relatively expensive and usually companies do not like to have their dewars refilled by a third party.

TPW Workspace

A work station with a limited assortment of general tools, soldering irons, and crimping/cutting/stripping tools is available in the TPW high bay. For more involved work, the Professional and Student Machine Shops are available.

Professional Machine Shop

For more involved tasks, work orders can be submitted to the Professional Machine Shop upon approval from the TPW mechanical engineering department. Typical lead time for prioritized work is 1–4 weeks.

Features of the Professional Machine Shop include:

• Full-time machinists
• CNC mills
• Machining stations, each with a manual mill and lathe
• Welding shop
• Horizontal band saw
• Large sheet metal shear (8′ length)
• Arbor and hydraulic presses

Student Machine Shop

In the Student Machine Shop, researchers have access to the following machines after an initial orientation and sign-off with the Shop supervisor:

• Vertical mills (6), with digital readouts
• Lathes (4)
• Bandsaw
• Glass-bead blasting hood
• Drum sander
• Arbor press
• Sheet metal shear (48″ width, max. thickness = ⅛″ Al)

Equipment provided by the Student Machine Shop:

• Table clamps
• Parallels
• Basic hand tools
• Lathe cutters
• Outside micrometers
• Edge finders
• Small pieces of SST, Al, and plastics

Equipment not provided by the Shop:

• Safety glasses (required)
• Drill bits*
• End mills*
• Taps*
• Large pieces of material

* TPC has a small assortment of standard sizes of these items