CAM Variance March 2026

There is a cumulative schedule variance of -$746k 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 56% of modules and the associated cleanroom consumables.

This variance is expected, primarily due to missing input parts (baseplates). CMU has now received 300 (200 CuT/100 Ti) baseplates and has resumed production. Our near-term priority will be 200um CuT modules. CMU has demonstrated the 12 modules / day protocol now. We have an offer out to another technician to get us up to 16/day.

There is a cumulative cost variance of -$559k 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, and it should not impact the overall schedule.

There is a cumulative schedule variance of -$798k 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 (1-48%); the remainder is for supporting production at other assembly sites. This past month UCSB has continued to produce modules with 16/day protocol and is catching up earning value given the available input parts.

A major issue that is being worked on with high priority is commissioning the equipment required for high-throughput tests of the assembled modules. This is converging and should be operational soon.

There is a cumulative cost variance of -$948k 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.