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The BIPM has a high-quality precision mechanical workshop equipped appropriately in terms of machines and competent, multi-skilled mechanics to conceive, design and carry out its projects. Since June 2001 the workshop is located in the Pavillon du Mail, which provides a modern and well-adapted environment.
Close collaboration with the scientific and technical staff allows the workshop to meet the precise needs of the BIPM laboratories and to produce the instruments asked of it.
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The workshop carries out high-precision mechanical work (milling, turning, rectification, electro-erosion, etc.) for all the scientific sections of the BIPM. Among recent projects we mention in particular precision equipment for
the Mass section (such as the flexure-strip balance FB-2);
the determination of the gravitational constant G (torsion balance);
the Length section (optical mounts, slave lasers, and notably the femtosecond frequency combs); and
the Chemistry section (mechanical bench for the ozone photometers).
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The workshop also produces platinum iridium prototype masses for Member States of the Metre Convention. Since 2002, a new fabrication procedure has been put in place, replacing diamond tooling in favour of complete polishing.
The workshop is also involved in general maintenance of the BIPM buildings, particularly of servicing the air-conditioning, essential for the scientific laboratories.
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Summary
