Original Date: 11/03/1996
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

The Y-12 Plant at Oak Ridge has pioneered improvements in production machine tools that have resulted in machining capabilities of significant precision. These innovations include air bearing components, laser interferometry, geometric and thermal error compensation, and computer controlled touch sensors. Flexible machining systems, precision T-base lathes, ceramic contour grinders, and precision jig grinders are maintained. This Y-12 world class job shop pushes the limits of machining tolerances while maintaining the capabilities, equipment, and technology to perform the required work.

Precision machining at the Y-12 Plant encompasses holding contour tolerances of less than 0.00005-inch; milling and drilling tolerances of less than 0.0002-inch; grinding tolerances in the millionths; and diamond point turning tolerances of 0.000005-inch. In the precision machining section of the plant, most of the equipment has been equipped with air bearings and patented jackshaft spindle assemblies. Automatic ball toolsetters were developed at Y-12 that allow the tooling to be set at the machine within 0.00004-inch. The Y-12 Plant has one of the most accurate large jig grinders worldwide. This machine was developed by Moore Special Tool Company and is one of only three existing in the world. The machine has been fitted with an advanced CNC controller and has three-dimensional jig grinding capability.

This facility also has capabilities for performing non-traditional machining such as EDM, ECM, and laser machining. Capabilities include machining of ferrous, non-ferrous, and exotic materials such as ceramics, graphite, pyrophoric, and hazardous and toxic materials.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.