Reports until 14:40, Tuesday 07 October 2025
H1 General
corey.gray@LIGO.ORG - posted 14:40, Tuesday 07 October 2025 (87348)
Optics Table Enclosure Access System Sensors/Magnets Install

Making this alog, because it was not clear what hardware was used to install Access System Interlocks on the Optics Table Enclosures, so I'm making this alog for next time.

When I was recently asked to install innards to the upcoming new JAC (Jitter Attenuation Cavity) in-air Table Enclosure everything was fairly straightforward (internal cable trays, lights, & side vents), EXCEPT for the Access System panel/door magnets/interlocks (HS7A-DMC Non-Contact Magnetic)--I'd only installed a couple of these years ago (I didn't alog the handful I installed, most of them were installed by Ken [contractor]).  The main issue for some of the magnets there is only a tiny amount of material (1/8" thick) you can use to drill a screw into + you can't have it interfere with the panels or doors.

For the wired-magnets, it's tricky, because the screw length can't extend beyond the 1/8" thick aluminum frame brackets they are attached to or it will hit/interfere the panel/door (this isn't an issue for the magnets actually attached to panels/doors--their screw only goes into foam with no interference).   Also, as for types of screws to use, Richard suggested sheet metal screws and just screw them into the aluminum, but I could not drill them into aluminum with hand drill.  Ultimately, I drilled pilot holes, and then screwed the screws into these undersized holes by hand (not with drill).

Rummage in the Mechanical Room and EE lab to find screws that would work.  The best option I found in our supply was: 

3/8"-long conical head sheet metal screws + 2-washers as spacers (a regular phillips head screw would have been better (better contact with washers).  Now the screws only have about 1/16" of thread to engage the aluminum bracket; removing 1 (of 2) washers gives about 1/8", but that would have the screw tip flush or (possibly) poking out beyond the aluminum frame bracket.

NOTE:  We did NOT use self-tapping screws for this

Throwing in some photos to also help for next time.  Almost all interlocks have been installed on the JAC table, but I still need to install an interlock on each door.

Images attached to this report