Speaker
Description
The Linear IFMIF Prototype Accelerator (LIPAc) is preparing to commission its superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) linac and progress towards high-duty-cycle operation with a 125 mA, 9 MeV deuteron beam. From Phase C (beam acceleration through the SRF linac) onwards, LIPAc will require intensive multidisciplinary maintenance, testing and troubleshooting.
At its inception, LIPAc was conceived as a 6-year demonstrator intended to validate the feasibility and performance of the IFMIF accelerator concept, rather than as a long-term operational facility. A permanent maintenance workshop was therefore not included in the original infrastructure. As the programme was extended, a workshop space was established during Phase B (RFQ beam commissioning). However, by 2025, fragmented work areas, limited tooling and dispersed resources constrained team autonomy and effective shared use.
In late 2025, the LIPAc Maintenance Group launched a structured review involving all technical groups. An execution plan prioritised requirements by urgency and future needs. Completed actions included removing obsolete material, introducing disposal and traceability processes, creating functional work zones and organised storage, and appointing a Workshop Responsible. Workstations increased from two to seven within the same footprint, mainly through asset reuse. Electrical, network and instrumentation improvements remain ongoing.
The workshop now supports upgrades pre-deployment work, electronic prototyping, troubleshooting, equipment testing and additive manufacturing across the LIPAc Unit. A key strength is that its layout and capabilities were defined from lessons learned at LIPAc and its specific maintenance needs.
This contribution presents the initial assessment, implementation and results, showing how maintenance infrastructure can improve maintainability, reduce integration risk and replace improvised support with planned and repeatable maintenance. The methodology provides a reference for defining IFMIF-DONES maintenance workshop requirements.