CAM Variance July 2026

There is a cumulative schedule variance of -$948k in the cost account 402.04.04.04 CE - Standard Module Assembly Site 2 (CMU). The variance is from the assembly and testing of the first 80% of modules and the associated cleanroom consumables.

This variance is expected, primarily due to delays in input parts (baseplates). Production is paused due to a lack of baseplates. International partners (KIT) are developing procedures to address a recently observed QC problem (Kapton layer losing adhesion). We expect more baseplates in August. Our focus now is the commissioning of the thermal unit needed for high-throughput testing. This is well advanced. We are working through the backlog of modules that have been produced.

There is a cumulative cost variance of -$650k in cost account 402.04.04.04 CE - Standard Module Assembly Site 2. This is expected and is consistent with the cumulative schedule variance discussed below. Schedule delays, due to missing input parts, have caused cost variance resulting from labor costs not earning value.

The activities contributing to this variance are due to upstream delays in receiving input components needed for the final module test stands, resulting in completion later than scheduled. Once the components become available, the value will be earned.

There is a cumulative schedule variance of -$892k in cost account 402.04.04.05 CE - Module Assembly at UCSB. The variance has two components: most (90%) is due to the assembly, testing, and shipping of full-size equivalent odd-sized modules (17-80%); the remainder is for supporting production at other assembly sites. UCSB is also waiting for baseplates to resume production. Value has now been earned for the first (1-8%) and second (9-16%) batches.

The multimodule testing equipment, required for high-throughput tests of the assembled modules, has been installed and commissioned. Modules are being to be tested in significant quantities.

There is a cumulative cost variance of -$1,135k in cost account 402.04.04.05 CE - Module Assembly at UCSB. This is expected and is consistent with the cumulative schedule variance discussed above. Schedule delays, due to missing input parts, have caused cost variance resulting from labor costs not earning value.