The Mechanical Engineering Group at the Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC), Kolkata, supports the complete life-cycle of accelerator and detector systems, including design, 3D modeling, prototyping, fabrication, testing, installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance.

• • Advanced FEA, CAD, and CAM software are used for the design and manufacturing of accelerator magnets, RF cavities, and related systems operating at both room and cryogenic temperatures.
• • Detailed engineering models and fabrication drawings are developed to support precision manufacturing.

• • Equipped with CNC machines, wire-cut EDM, profile EDM, welding equipment, conventional lathes and milling machines, and Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs).
• • Capable of producing high-precision components with complex geometries.

• • Responsible for the round-the-clock operation and maintenance of both the room-temperature and superconducting cyclotrons.
• • Ensures maximum system availability through priority-based maintenance activities.

• • Manages low-conductivity water and instrumentation air systems for accelerator operations.
• • Uses Reverse Osmosis (RO) and mixed-bed purification technologies to produce high-purity water.

• • Operates liquid helium plants continuously to maintain superconducting magnets at 4 K.
• • Expertise includes superconducting magnet design, cryogenic systems, instrumentation, and control systems.

• • Provides comprehensive civil, electrical, HVAC, and transport maintenance services.
• • Supports new accelerator installations, infrastructure upgrades, laboratories, offices, and residential facilities.

• • Promotes a strong industrial and fire safety culture.
• • A dedicated team oversees the implementation and monitoring of safety practices across the Centre.

Objective: Development of an indigenous compact medical cyclotron for the production of short-lived radioisotopes used in nuclear medicine and Positron Emission Tomography (PET).
Scope of Work:
•    Design and development of high-precision magnet system
•    Development of RF acceleration system and resonant cavities
•    Vacuum system design and integration
•    Ion source development and beam extraction system
•    Design of target stations for radioisotope production
•    Control, instrumentation, and safety interlock systems
•    Radiation shielding and radiological safety provisions
Major Contributions:
•    Establishment of indigenous capability in medical cyclotron technology
•    Development of critical accelerator subsystems using in-house expertise
•    Advancement of beam dynamics, RF engineering, vacuum technology, and accelerator controls
•    Creation of a multidisciplinary platform integrating mechanical, electrical, electronics, and nuclear engineering disciplines for medical cyclotron applications
Key expected Outcomes:
•    Successful development and commissioning of 18 MeV medical cyclotron
•    Support for production of PET radioisotopes, particularly Fluorine-18 (¹⁸F)
•    Strengthening of national infrastructure for nuclear medicine and medical imaging
•    Demonstration of technological self-reliance in advanced accelerator systems
•    Generation of valuable scientific, engineering, and operational expertise for future accelerator projects
Impact:
Enhanced availability of medical radioisotopes for diagnosis and research, reduced dependence on imported technologies, and contributed to the growth of indigenous accelerator and healthcare technologies.