Thus, it is a combination of many highly specialized branches of industry. Inside, to its benefit, the factory differs from most other Russian factories. Since Svetlana produces and manufactures some of its raw materials and all parts on its own, the company uses many machine tools, lathes, milling machines, cutters, and presses. The machinery, albeit aged, is well maintained and the production materials and facilities are well organized. Many of the special machines needed in tube manufacture are designed and built in-house.
Cleanliness is everything in the final assembly of tubes.
The air is conditioned and cleaned with special microparticle filters. All the myriad delicate parts that form the innards of the tube are put together by dexterous hands, occasionally welding two metal wires together, adding an insulating washer, and bending a metal tab with small pliers, to assemble the intricate structure that we see inside the glass envelope. Assembling tubes is all manual handwork, requiring a watchmaker's skill and precision. After assembly, each unit is visually inspected for correct structure and alignment. Then the assemblies are scrupulously washed with a mixture of alcohol and distilled water, and blown dry with hot air to remove any traces of impurities that might later evaporate and thus contaminate the high vacuum inside the glass envelope.