The European ALMA project: Design, manufacturing and performances

This document describes the European ALMA project from its first prototype to the serial production phase. The antenna is based on an innovative engineering and manufacturing design. It has been possible to achieve extreme performances, with respect to the scientific specifications, only thanks to the choice of technologies such as the use of composite materials, the direct drive system, etc… One of the fundamental choice for the characterization of the antenna is the use of a metrology system capable to predict and control the non-repeatable errors induced by the wind or by temperature variations.