Case Study: National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory achieves shorter design cycles and higher-precision accelerator equipment with SOLIDWORKS

Advancing accelerator design and nuclear science research with SOLIDWORKS software

National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) at Michigan State University—one of the world’s flagship nuclear science research facilities—needed a mechanical‑design focused 3D CAD platform to design complex accelerator components and detectors. NSCL engineers found their previous CAD tool was geared toward civil/architectural work and lacked the large‑assembly, simulation, and shop‑interface capabilities they required, so they adopted SolidWorks (initially the SOLIDWORKS Research Edition) to meet those needs.

SolidWorks delivered a scalable CAD solution (including eDrawings, integrated simulation and Flow Simulation CFD) that improved collaboration with machinists and research partners and allowed rapid, accurate modeling of moving detector assemblies. NSCL expanded from 18 to over 100 SolidWorks seats and realized shorter design cycles, better handling of large assemblies, reduced scrap and rework, enhanced precision and quality, and measurable cost and time savings across development and fabrication.

National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory

Jack Ottarson

Senior Engineer