New coil manufacturing machine brings limitless fusion energy a step closer

Japan’s Helical Fusion has completed a one-of-a-kind coil manufacturing machine that could help it realize its vision for limitless energy through nuclear fusion.

The machine is designed to produce a critical component for its nuclear fusion reactor concept. Developed in collaboration with Sugino Machine Limited, it will help Helical achieve the goals of its Helix Program, by achieving a complex manufacturing process.

Japan’s new machine to manufacture fusion components

Through its Helix Program, Helical aims to deliver commercially viable nuclear fusion energy. Fusion produces energy in the same way as the sun and the stars. By smashing hydrogen atoms together, the process creates a single heavier nucleus, releasing vast amounts of energy.

Helical has stated that it aims to complete key demonstrations for the technology by around 2030. These will show off two core development pillars—high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets and an integrated blanket/divertor concept.

By next decade, Helical Fusion aims to perform an integrated demonstration with its Integrated Demonstration Device, called ‘Helix HARUKA.’ If all goes to plan, it would then operate its ‘Helix KANATA’ reactor and produce the first commercially viable fusion power generation.

According to a press statement, the firm’s new coil manufacturing machine will develop one of the most critical components for Helix HARUKA: the high-temperature superconducting (HTS) coils.

In that statement, Helical explains that commercial fusion power plants must satisfy three essential requirements. These are net electricity, steady operation at all times, and maintainability. The goal of the Helix Program is to achieve all of these requirements using technologies available today.

Helical’s coil manufacturing machine

Helical requires spiral-shaped coils to make its nuclear fusion reactors function. According to the company, this shape is well suited for the function of stably confining plasma required to generate fusion energy.

However, the complexity of manufacturing these spiral-shaped coils has long been recognized as one of the key hurdles when it comes to building Helical’s fusion reactor concept.

In October last year, Helical announced it had successfully demonstrated its proprietary “high-temperature superconducting cable”, which was designed to be more malleable, enabling easier manufacturing. The company also stated at the time that it had begun fabricating the Helix HARUKA Integrated Demonstration Device.

According to its latest statement, Helical has now completed the coil manufacturing machine. The machine winds HTS cable into the required spiral-shaped coils. According to the statement, the one-of-a-kind machine is “expected to enable efficient production of high-performance coils and to play a critical role in the upcoming assembly of Helix HARUKA.”

The next step for Helical is transporting the machine to the construction location for Helix HARUKA. On-site assembly is scheduled to begin later this year.