Images of the week
Titan tool 90 percent complete
21 May 2018
Towering 22 metres above ground and weighing approximately 800 tonnes, the twin sector sub-assembly tools (SSAT) are formidable handling machines that will be used to pre-assemble the vacuum vessel sectors before their installation in the Tokamak pit. SSAT 1, whose assembly began in November of last year, is now 90 percent complete. Work on an identical twin is scheduled to begin in September.
Procured by Korea and manufactured by Taekyung Heavy Industries, the SSAT tools are being reconstructed in the ITER Assembly Hall by Taekyung subcontractor CNIM (France). Precision hydraulic actuators, yet to be installed, are supplied by ENERPAC (Spain).
To the right of the nearly completed SSAT 1, the "cradle" for its identical twin is ready. The Titan tools are designed to handle combined loads in excess of 1,200 tonnes (one vacuum vessel sector, two toroidal field coils and thermal shielding) in excess of 1,200 tonnes.
Behind the fixed front columns, the rotating platforms, or "wings," will support the elements to be assembled. The main structure, rotating frames and actuator system of these hydraulic-powered tools were all tested on a 1:5-scale mockup.