This story first appeared in Fermilab Today on December 2.
Tevatron mechanical support team members during the 2009 shutdown: Top, from left: Earl Shaffer, Sabina Aponte, Bill Dymond and James Williams. Bottom, from left: Derek Plant and Jerry Szabo. Photo Courtesy of Fermilab.
The mechanical technicians in the Tevatron's mechanical support group aren't doctors. But they play some at work, caring for the Tevatron.
"You're working long hours and the list of things to do is endless," said Sali Sylejmani, an employee in the mechanical support group. "It is like starting a surgery, you open the system and it needs to be closed up."
On a hot summer day during the recent shutdown, a pressure indicator showed a possible leak in one of the Tevatron magnets. The team, made of five permanent members and a handful of other specialized technicians, carried several tons of diagnostic equipment into tight quarters underground. They used it to check for leaks in each problem area in the sector until they found and repaired the leak. Repairs can include replacing something small, such as a bad seal, or replacing a magnet, which could take up to two or three shifts.
"What we do is not easy," said Derek Plant, mechanical technician. "We have to pay close attention to many variables."
Often, the process for finding a leak or a malfunctioning or broken piece of equipment takes a unique instinct and mechanical aptitude, said McCormick, supervisor for the Tevatron's mechanical support group.
The stressful work and long hours creates camaraderie. The team members joke with each other, but they also know about each others' families and more.
"It takes a very special group of people with good communication and a good demeanor," Plant said.
That openness also translates into a team with a good safety record. Each day for the team begins over coffee, where they go over any pertinent information.
"During coffee, we relay information, talk about the previous day and any safety issues. We'll review the safety procedures and make sure that we have the tools and equipment we need," McCormick said.
When the machine breaks, the team often turns their lives upside down to make repairs.
"Without that type of dedication, it would be impossible to get the work done," McCormick said. "These team members really give a lot to keep the Tevatron operating well."
These technicians also worked diligently as part of the Fermilab Mechanical Support Group during the laboratory's most recent shutdown. From left: Daniel Assell, Irina Kubantseva and Sali Sylejmani.
