CloudNC has announced that it has entered into a new agreement with the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) to supply precision-manufactured components to the fusion energy industry.
This marks a significant development for the manufacturing technology company as it is the first time that CloudNC has manufactured components for the fusion industry.
As part of the agreement, CloudNC will produce components that support the manufacture of diagnostic windows used in fusion.
These windows will enable observers to view and monitor critical occurrences within complex equipment, such as reactions that take place inside a fusion machine.
The components will be manufactured at CloudNC’s factory in Chelmsford, Essex, and are of critical importance to the development of future fusion power plants in the UK and the world.
CloudNC has explained that manufacturing components for the fusion energy sector presents unique challenges, as most commercially available materials and techniques cannot withstand close proximity to such fundamental reactions.
Consequently, the parts must be manufactured to exacting standards, requiring advanced metrology equipment, as well as a meticulous focus on quality, both of which CloudNC can provide.
“I look forward to our components making a difference to the next generation of fusion machines, both now and through new supply deals in the future,” said CloudNC CEO Theo Saville.
“These components are critical to the development of new research programmes and fusion power plants and need to be made to the highest specifications,” added UKAEA project manager Samuel Nouvellon.
“We selected CloudNC because of their ability to meet those requirements and are pleased to have found a high-quality manufacturer so close to home.”
