AVANCEM strengthens its involvement in ITER with progress on its first direct contract and the signing of a second contract

In April, AVANCEM Engineering began work on its first direct contract with ITER Organization for the design, manufacture and qualification of the Vacuum Vessel Pressure Suppression Exhaust Filters (VVPSS).

This is a particularly significant project for AVANCEM, as its scope goes well beyond manufacturing a component from an existing design.

The work covers the development of the design engineering, followed by industrialisation and manufacture, together with the qualification, inspection, testing, quality assurance and documentation processes required by ITER.

This means supporting the component throughout its development: from defining and justifying the technical solution to delivering a manufactured, verified and traceable product that meets the requirements for integration into ITER.

The filters form part of the Vacuum Vessel Pressure Suppression System (VVPSS), one of the systems associated with protecting the machine. Their function and operating conditions require an integrated approach to design, material selection, manufacturing and welding processes, dimensional inspection, other inspections and quality assurance.

Since the start of the contract, AVANCEM’s engineering, manufacturing and quality teams have worked together through the different phases of the project, meeting the demanding technical and documentation requirements set by ITER Organization.

For AVANCEM, this first contract marked a particularly important milestone: becoming a direct contractor to ITER Organization and taking a further step in developing engineering and advanced manufacturing capabilities for fusion energy.

Industrialising fusion will require much more than major scientific advances. It will also need an industry capable of turning scientific and functional requirements into industrial solutions that can be designed, manufactured, qualified, traced and reproduced.

Engineering, advanced manufacturing, welding, vacuum technologies, metrology, testing and quality assurance are all part of this challenge.

Months after the project began, AVANCEM continues to make progress with its delivery, developing knowledge and capabilities to address new challenges within the fusion industry.

This work is now taking a further step with the signing of a second direct contract with ITER Organization, strengthening AVANCEM’s involvement in one of the most significant international scientific and technological projects of our time.

Design. Industrialise. Manufacture. Qualify.

Four capabilities that must advance together to turn fusion energy into an industrial reality.

From Cantabria, AVANCEM continues to develop capabilities to contribute to some of the world’s most demanding technological projects.