10.12. Following enrichment, the uranium hexafluoride is shipped to the plant of a fuel assembly vendor, where it is converted on-site to oxide. Fuel fabrication is a highly automated process with the need for close quality control to meet exacting specifications. Uranium dioxide powder having the proper characteristics is first prepared, then formed into pellets using ceramic techniques. Adherence to close dimensional tolerances is obtained by grinding. They are then inserted into clad tubing which had been previously prepared. The various components making up the finished fuel assembly (§§7.168, 13.23) are then brought together using standard fabrication procedures.