North American Design and Manufacturing Collaboration produces winning partnership between Princeton University, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Rohwedder, Inc. and Precision Metal Works.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ORLANDO, FL., December 9th, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE)--Rohwedder, Inc. is teaming with Precision Metal Works to develop a prototype vacuum vessel and manufacturing hardware techniques for the National Compact Stellarator Experiment project, led by the U.S. Department of Energy's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) in partnership with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

The initial phase of this agreement is to focus on critical aspects of manufacturing this vessel such as complex shape forming, accurate fabrication of vessel ports, tolerance control, production of vacuum quality welds with low distortion and timely, low-cost fabrication. The prototype phase of this project is scheduled for completion in March 2004.

Stellarators are a class of magnetic fusion energy devices characterized by three dimensional magnetic fields and plasma shapes and are the best-developed class of magnetic fusion devices after the tokamak. The National Compact Stellarator Experiment will test a compact magnetic configuration that has tokamak-like performance and resolves critical physics issues for practical magnetic fusion systems: steady-state operation and elimination of disruptions. It will advance the understanding of 3D plasma physics for fusion and basic science. In this partnership program, the teams of Rohwedder, Inc. and Precision Metal Works are working closely together to develop the vacuum vessel concepts for this unique system on behalf of PPPL.

Birgit (Bee) R. Westphal, Chief Executive Officer of Rohwedder, Inc. commented, "We are extremely pleased about expanding our supply base to include a Canadian firm. Our vision is to continuously work with the best supplier available who will ultimately add value to our system by understanding our strategy and goals in serving our key customer, PPPL. This relationship is built on trust and experience and the success of this extraordinary and demanding project will be based on these fundamental values." "This technically challenging endeavour of developing the Stellarator manufacturing plan and prototype segment is a glove fit for Rohwedder, Inc., Precision Metal Works and PPPL. The candid, team approach shared by all partners, coupled with the systematic risk mitigation techniques, empowers each of the parties to focus on what they do best, therefore, optimizing the overall program success. The program is a classic example of meeting goals through strategic relationships, commented David Thompson, Chief Technology Officer of Rohwedder, Inc.

"We're thrilled to have been invited by Rohwedder and Princeton to be a part of this talented and prestigious team." explains David Rioux, President of Precision Metal Works Ltd. "This project fits into the long-term goals and vision of our company - as leaders in our field. It allows us to showcase our abilities. Most companies in our industry would be unable to succeed with a complex project like this. But with our vacuum and nuclear experience, our level of expertise and our commitment to quality - it fits."

Rohwedder, Inc. is a subsidiary of Rohwedder AG, a leading designer and manufacturer of a broad range of automation technologies, employing 800 skilled personnel worldwide. The individual companies of Rohwedder are recognized internationally for vacuum, robotics, assembly automation, vision and material handling and provide automated solutions for the electronics, telecommunications, automotive, aerospace/military, consumer products and medical/pharmaceutical industries.

Precision Metal Works Ltd. is a leading designer and manufacturer of stainless steel and aluminum weldment vacuum chambers and components. The company is currently in the final phases of their CSAN 285.0 class one nuclear quality assurance qualification. Precision Metal Works Ltd. is known worldwide for quality vacuum chambers and nuclear components.

PPPL, one of the world's leading fusion research and development laboratories is operated by Princeton University for the U.S. Department of Energy.

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