Vacuum chamber assemblies at a nine-week revision cadence

Axiom was iterating chamber geometry every nine weeks while shipping the previous two configurations to customers. Their previous supplier could build to print but could not hold three revisions apart, and mixed hardware reached final assembly more than once.

Particulate was the second problem. Chambers were passing dimensional inspection and failing cleanliness at Axiom's incoming, which is the most expensive place to find it.

Configuration control was rebuilt around physically segregated kits. Each revision has its own storage, its own kit, and its own release; sharing hardware between revisions requires an engineering change, not a supervisor's judgment.

Vacuum-critical machining moved to dedicated tooling with controlled cutting fluids and no ferrous contact, followed by a documented clean-and-bake before the assembly enters the clean room.

Final helium leak test runs inside the ISO Class 7 room, so a chamber is never opened again after it passes.

First-pass leak test yield reached 97.8% and cleanliness rejections at Axiom's incoming inspection stopped entirely across the first 18 months.

Three configurations have run in parallel since launch with no configuration mix reaching final assembly.

Axiom has moved gas delivery manifolds onto the same segregated route.