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Research project on repairing erosion damage in fusion reactors using wire-based laser cladding.
ALOtec Dresden is working on a joint development project to reliably detect damage to reactor wall components and regenerate the material within a small process window and with very low contamination of the environment. The background to this is a key issue for future fusion energy: the inner walls of a reactor are subject to extreme stress. They erode—and replacing these components is expensive, technically complex, and causes long downtimes.
Our task in the project: to develop a cost-effective repair concept using a mobile robot system and wire-based laser cladding that regenerates erosion damage directly on site instead of replacing entire components.
Why laser cladding?
Wire-based laser cladding (LMD-w) is suitable for use in reactors. This additive process applies new material precisely and cleanly—without contaminating the surrounding area. This creates a robust tool for regenerating heavily stressed wall areas, especially in demanding materials such as tungsten.
What we are working on:
We develop and test mobile robotic systems that will be able to perform repairs directly in the reactor room using wire-based laser cladding – remotely controlled, safe, and highly precise. This includes:
- the testing of further mobile system concepts
- the expansion of our expertise in wire-based laser cladding
- the integration of all necessary systems into a comprehensive system concept
The goal is to develop a solution that enables damaged PFCs (plasma facing components) to be regenerated automatically and economically—under the real-world conditions of a fusion power plant.
Project partner
ALOtec Dresden GmbH
Development of a plant concept for the regeneration of erosion damage in a fusion power plant
Verein Deutscher Ingenieure
Project management
Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionstechnologie
Manufacturing research Tungsten cladding
Precitec GmbH & Co. KG
Development of a system technology consisting of a machining head and sensor technology for controlled repair
BCT Steuerungs- und DV-Systeme GmbH
Sensor-based process control and digital process integration
LaVa-X GmbH
Development and testing of a mobile vacuum system for repair welding using LMD-w
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
Development of the tungsten-based LMD-w process and validation through high heat flux experiments
Funding for the project
The project “Identification of damage caused by erosion in the generator and regeneration of the material using LMD-w (Isegrim)” is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space.
Funding code: 13F1006B
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Whether you have questions about our research and development projects or simply want to share your experiences – we look forward to hearing from you.
