At a government research site in New Mexico, operational efficiency and high-energy testing are constant partners. AVM Group recently completed a project to augment a legacy fixed-shielding system with a flexible, on-demand solution designed for the Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) of aviation components.
The result of this effort is the Hybrid MatterWall™—a specialized system that merges the structural integrity and shielding characteristics of a fixed wall with a high-performance automated swing system.
Collaborative Engineering and Precise Parameters
This project was defined by a partnership between AVM Group, the customer, and a physics team. Collaborating to determine the optimal path for location and shielding requirements, the team established the precise radiation shielding requirements and technical parameters necessary for the site.
To meet these standards, our engineering team developed a moving barrier system shielded by a continuous inch of solid lead. This unified approach ensured that the final installation met every safety requirement while seamlessly integrating into the facility’s existing floor plan to maintain an active workflow when shielding is not required.
Innovation: The Hybrid MatterWall™ System
The core of this project was the development of the Hybrid MatterWall™. While it shares the same automated swing DNA as our MatterDoors™, this is more than just a door. It is a self-supporting shielded wall designed to swing 90 degrees out of position whenever needed.
- Structural Integrity: The Hybrid MatterWall™ combines the heavy-duty shielding of our standard MatterWall™ with the electronic actuation usually reserved for our high-performance, heavy door systems.
- Radiation Shielding: To meet the standards set by the physic’s team for Radiographic Testing (RT), each unit was manufactured using interlocking lead bricks. This interlocking design is a critical requirement to ensure total shielding continuity and eliminate any potential radiation leakage through gaps.
- Scale and Power: These walls stand 8 feet tall and weigh upwards of 10,000 pounds.
- Kinetic Engineering: Moving five tons of shielding requires specialized hardware. The system utilizes unique, heavy-duty industrial hinges and a specialized power-open mechanism to ensure reliable and safe movement while operating during daily workflow transitions.
Results: Safety Without Obstruction
Completed in eight weeks, the Hybrid MatterWall™ installation provides the facility with robust radiation protection without the permanent footprint of a fixed wall. When testing is inactive, the wall swings out of position to provide the flexibility of an open corridor, allowing for the unimpeded movement of material and personnel.
Because these walls carry immense mass, safety was integrated into the core of the results. The system utilizes 3-D area scanners that monitor the swing path in real-time, automatically halting the wall’s movement if motion is detected within the safety zone. This, combined with high-visibility emergency stop buttons, ensures that the site remains a safe, high-traffic environment for all personnel.
By replacing static shielding with the Hybrid MatterWall™, the New Mexico site has successfully optimized its research workflow, proving that high-intensity Radiographic Testing and active facility movement can exist in the same space.
Custom Environments for High-Stakes Research
From Hybrid MatterWall™ systems to vaults and cleanrooms, AVM Group specializes in engineering environments that solve complex spatial and technical challenges. If your facility needs to upgrade from fixed barriers to flexible, on-demand shielding, reach out to AVM Group today.