Rene van den Elzen  - WAO'98  Abstract

       The Applied Technology Group (ATG) at TRIUMF is responsible
       for operating the two commercial cyclotrons and for some
       isotope production on the main 500 MeV cyclotron.  The ATG
       is relatively small in number (19 people) and is divided
       into three sections responsible for cyclotron operation,
       operational support and technical support.  Not only are
       we small in number, but we also are severely limited for
       space.  We run a 24 hour operation, yet we have only one
       operator on most shifts.  What happens if the operator gets
       sick or goes on vacation?  What if someone quits and no
       one else is knowledgeable about their responsibilities? 
       Who can train the new person?  How many spare parts should
       we keep.  What should we repair ourselves, and what should
       contract out?  I will discus some of these problems that we 
       face and how we deal with them.