Development of fabrication technology for ITER vacuum vessel

Nakahira, Masataka; Shibanuma, Kiyoshi; Kajiura, Soji*; Shibui, Masanao*; Koizumi, Koichi; Takeda, Nobukazu; Kakudate, Satoshi; Taguchi, Ko*; Oka, Kiyoshi; Obara, Kenjiro; Tada, Eisuke; Abe, Mitsushi*; Araya, Takeshi*; Suzuki, Takayuki*; Daigo, Yasuhiko*; Takahashi, Hiroyuki*; Hiruta, Ryusuke*; Uchida, Takaho*; Yanagi, Yutaka*; Saito, Fusao*; Kondo, Mitsunori*

The ITER vacuum vessel (VV) R&D has progressed with the international collaborative efforts by the Japan, Russia and US Parties during the Engineering Design Activities (EDA). Fabrication and testing of a full-scale VV sector model and a port extension have yielded critical information on the fabrication and assembly technologies of the vacuum vessel, magnitude of welding distortions, dimensional accuracy and achievable tolerances during sector fabrication and field assembly. In particular, the dimensional tolerances of 3 mm for VV sector fabrication and 10 mm for VV sector field assembly have been achieved and satisfied the requirements of 5 mm and 20 mm, respectively. Also, the basic feasibility of the remote welding robot has been demonstrated. This report presents detailed fabrication and assembly technologies such as welding technology applicable to the thick wall without large distortion, field joint welding technology between sectors and remote welding technology through the VV R&D project.