The mechanical workshop ( OM ) LIP was established in 1986 to support the experimental activities to be undertaken in CERN collaboration. The inical CNC machining equipment was in the meantime complemented with new and performant machine tools and CAD-CAM software. The technical conditions and highly qualified personnel are currently enabling a wide range of mechanical services, from conception and design to machining, assembly and testing.

The detector lab ( LD ) was also created to support the experimental activities of the LIP-Coimbra branch. Over time, it has been equipped to meet both the general support requirements or the specific requirements of different research groups. Thanks to the available equipment and the expertise of its technical staff, the LD can currently provide un wide range of services including: design, construction and repair of electronic equipment; conception, design, construction and testing of detectors; design, construction and repair of systems gas and vacuum.

The experience of two decades, ensures us that in the absence of both the OM and the LD, it wouldn't have been possible to attain the high quality of services achieved, neither perform the R&D work on gaseous detectors (centered on either autonomous projects or small collaborations), nor take significant technical commitments within medium and large size international collaborations (including CP-LEAR, DELPHI, HERA-B, ATLAS, HADES, AUGER or SNO+). The benefits of the OM and the LD for projects of the national community of R&D, both at local and national level, but also in international collaborations, are equally indisputable.