Introduction

I was longing to visit the linear accelerator site and exited to observe the TrueBeam linear
accelerator. My timing could not be more perfect because when reached the site, there
were several maintenance engineer working on the commissioning process. Truebeam had
replaced LA3 as a part Phase 9 program. It is more advanced and user friendly in comparison
to the previous version of linear accelerator. The objective of my report is to document the
installation, acceptance and commissioning of TrueBeam linear accelerator. The first hurdle
is to install the machine properly while adhering the standard specifications and after
installation, several tests needs to be performed by Varian engineers and servicemen in
front of the customers. For the smooth flow of process both customer and Varian
representatives have same document which registers every test. The problems faced during
the commissioning should to be documented very carefully so that same problem is not
faced in the future.

Installation procedure
TrueBean is a very complex and big machine hence it is not possible to take the whole
machine at once. The corridors of the facility are not wide enough to accommodate the
whole structure at one go, thus the whole machine is divide into several parts. And these
parts are assembled by Varian and other contractors. The installation process is very
complicated and hence care must be taken so that the costly parts are not damaged.

The following points describe the installation procedure.

Rigging
For rigging process, the whole task is divided into several section and different contractors
are appointed by Varian for the sub tasks. For refurbishment of bunker Rocare was
responsible, and ACE ( ACE was response for wiring) were appointed the task of installing
the customer path which serves as the interface between Varian and us (Customers). Now
Varian has to take care of the total project management process but previously hospital
played that role. This procedure is called as Turnkey. These subcontractors are highly
specialised in their work and most suitable for the job.

Preparation
Before starting the actual rigging process, the site had to be cleared and the wires and
cables required for the installation are kept properly. Different parts of the machine are
assembled and the connections are made properly. The wiring of LA is a very complicated
and important process. And care must be taken to review the circuit connections. ACE was
given the task to do the electrical connections of the linear accelerator.
The steps followed by the contractors to do the connection are given below.

First unwrap the boxes and lay down the cable very carefully on the ground, care
must be take that they dont take too much space, and are not scattered in the
room.

Lay down the cables in such a manner that they take minimum floor space.

Make sure that all the parts have arrived in the facility.

All the parts of the machine are covered and are kept in clean and dust free
environment.

After making sure that everything is happening as planned. The actual process starts.
Representatives from Varian are responsible for making sure that all the steps are being
followed.

The whole cable connect ion id divided into two types of cable system.
1. The cables which carry high voltage and power for the linear accelerator.
2. The signal or low voltage cables.
The high voltage cables are marked to prevent any unwanted accident, although the signal
cables are of low voltage but still they cannot be left unattended and marked accordingly for
identification.

For best performance false ceiling is used for laying the cables, at first the high voltage
cables are connected to the linear accelerator and them the signal connections are made.
The signal connections are made between monitoring system and the control system. The
false ceiling is used to make safety and aesthetics of the facility. Please refer the diagram
given above to understand the tracks of cables running through he ceiling.

Problems faced:
The cables were created a large mesh and it was bit hard to move them.
The surface of the false ceiling was not smooth and it was causing problem to ACE
installation engineers.
Steps to be followed during making the connections.
After following all the formalities, there is a certain way to make the connections.
Firstly, the outer connections should be made like the stand, modulator and console, after
the internal connections like gantry or other modules are to be made. By following this
method, the chances of facing any accident reduced, it is not possible to make internal
connection before out connection because the power required for internal connection
comes from outer connections.
After making the external and internal connections, next comes the process of connecting
the HT (High Tension) cable to KV HT tanks and generators. After making the connection
water needs to be filled in the tank and machine and controller tank are to be covered.
One of the most important responsibility of Varian installation engineer is to note down the
progress day by day. If any part of step is skipped, then it may hamper the whole installation
process.

Electrical and mechanical set up of the linear accelerator.

Varian engineer was about to set up the electrical and machine setup for the accelerator.
This is a very critical and sensitive part of the project because if something goes wrong her
then it may cause damage of the parts.
The first steps that are followed are.
The software is checked, and the licence files are installed before starting any work.
The water is moved through the, machine and check if there is any leak or not. If any leak is
found, then the gantry needs to be moved.
Apart from the license file the system software is also updated with likes like KVS,KVD and
other requirements and the firmware for FPGS is also updated.
The cable connections re checked before supplying any power to the system.
Beam-On Acceptance
The aim of the test is to test if the machine is capable of producing beam or not, to ensure
safety Varian engineers are allowed to use only to output 1MU. And the gantry must be kept
at 0 d=degree a i.e. facing downwards with closed jaws.
The beam produce radiation hence departments Radiation Protection Supervisor needs to
present there who can keep an eye on the radiation level of the beam. The purpose of the
test is to ensure that no leakage radiation is crossing the protective lead walls and doors if
while the beams are producing.

Rough Axis Calibration

Rough axis calibration was performed Initially for the couch ANG, VERT, LNG and LAT.

The following are to be kept in mind while doing rough axis calibration.

The couch most kept straight during ANG calibration.

Front pointer must be placed at 100 SSD and then the calibration steps for VERT couch must
be followed.

use the exact bar and the tape measure for the measurements in case of LNG and LAT couch
and follow the corresponding calibration steps.

Positioning Unit (MVD, KVD and KVS)

It is necessary to check every unit separately. To get the most accurate value of the
calibration result, covers were removed and reading was taken.
vertical motion run-out, vertical accuracy, lateral and longitudinal accuracy and travel range
are checked properly and care is taken that no mistake might happen. Any mistake during
installation of machine will be very harder to detect and cure in the future.
All these data are to be re-evaluated by Varian and customer and only after satisfaction of
customer the next steps is to be taken.

Fine iso-centre tuning

Stand Positioning Adjustment

The longitudinal and lateral gauges are setup on the red front pointer assembly as shown in the
figure:

Figure 1: Radiation isocentre jig used for acceptance

Longitudinal and lateral values are taken at 3oclock and at 9oclock, with gantry at 0 and 180. The
result is fed to the controlling software.

VEO Tuning
Beam iso centre was set up against coach Iso. Because coach iso is fixed machine it needed to
be moved to match each other at these two points. It was possible to move heavy LA with
help of hydraulic Jack which was placed between machine legs and fixed to the floor
brackets. To my surprise machine bolts which are screwed to the floor were tight all the time.
It was possible to do small movements because copper washers. All the measurement were
taken 8 times from different guntry positions and calculated by designed software. It took 5
attempts to set machine precisely. PLEASE USE IT

Gun Processing
The electron gun filament the is taken from 0V to 6.3 V in this process, the unit of each step is 0.5 V
to 10 minutes each. Vasion current and VCN current must be noted on each step and these values
should be less than 50A. Once 6.3 V the voltage is brought down and set back to 5.3 V.

Crosshair and filed light Alignment

By using a millimetre graph sheet and comparing and aligning the crosshair with the graph crosshair
can be standardised, after that rotate the collimator to 90 and 270 degrees and make adjustments.
If any adjustment is required, then a screwdriver is to used for it. It must be tip tapped and hammed
with a soft hit using a nylon hammer. the procedure for filed light alignment is in the Varian
acceptance document.

Laser calibration.

Laser are calibrated and set up by following the following steps.

Overhead lasers must be marked 900 and overhead lasers must be 1800.

The crosshair and the laser be parallel.

The laser must roughly have matched the cross hair.

Front Pointer alignment.

Firstly, front pointer must be placed on the collimator at 100 SSD and then another front
pointer must be placed on the couch.

Moved the couch in such a manner that both the pointers stay in the mid position, and the
gantry must be kept at 900 and collimator at 00.
Now check the position of front pointer after rotating the gantry at 270 degrees, if the tips
are not in mid position then adjust 100 SSD the front point tip.

Couch Rotation Calibration

To calibrate the couch, move it to lowest bottom and again to the extreme left in lateral
fashion.
A paper piece must be taped on the left corner.
Keeping the gantry on the paper rotate it and, mark the straight horizontal line.
The crosshair should be mark after rotating the gantry and moving the couch to extreme.
Keeping both the points on same line, move the couch.
At the end of this the couch and gantry must be perpendicular to each other.
Save the new values and calibrate with the new values.

Please ADD my laser calibration Part as well and my pictures

Thare is more info about laser Calibration in additional file

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Laser calibration
I had also opportunity to see laser calibration. Varian engineer starts this task from reference
laser which is left-side laser. To make sure that laser is perfectly vertical very thin wire has
been fit to the ceiling and drop to the floor. Laser was direct to the wire, behind the wire
engineer place plain sheet of paper to see shadow of the wire. Laser remote control helps to
set it in perfect position. Next Gantry has been rotated to the 90 deg, field light has been
turned on and laser has been moved again. Field cross wires and laser were perfectly much
each other. The other Right side laser set up was easier because left laser has been used as a
reference. Again with help of sheet of paper right laser has been set perfectly with other side.

Acceptance:

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After successfully installing the electrical circuits and machine, TrueBeam has to be tested
and accepted by the customer. This is a part of contract without which the mere installation
and basics checking of the system is meaningless.
Please add this
Critical Examination
Critical examination is a part of Customer Acceptance Procedure. B.G. with help of
Radiometer carry out radiation survey to demonstrate to installing engineer and staff safe
working environment. Radiation has been measured everywhere around the bunker and the
highs but still in tolerance was at maze gate. Part of the examination is also to check
emergency stops, door interlock, beam off butons and Last man OUT.

I try to find more Info about Acceptance

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