Design, manufacturing status, first results of the LHC main dipole final prototypes and steps towards series manufacture

This paper reports about the program of six LHC superconducting main dipole final prototypes and the steps towards series manufacture. The above program, launched in summer 1998, relies on collared coils manufactured by industry and cold masses assembled at the CERN Magnet Assembly Facility. Following design, stability and robustness studies, the magnet design for series manufacture features a "6-block" coil and austenitic steel collars. A general description of the magnet with its main components is given and the main working parameters and the most important manufacturing features are presented. Results of mechanical and magnetic measurements are given as well as the performances of the first prototype. A comparison with results from the previous generation of dipole magnet models and prototypes is also made. Finally an outlook towards series manufacture is given.