REM Presents at IEEE Pulsed Power Conference on Fusion Engineering

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Tuesday, April 12th, 2022 in

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Brenham, Texas – REM Surface Engineering with the support of MIT Plasma Science Fusion Center (MIT PSFC) presented the work and results of a novel surface finishing approach for the internal surfaces of additively manufactured RF components for fusion reactor applications at the 2021 IEEE Pulsed Power Conference & Symposium on Fusion Engineering.  REM’s presentation covered work that had been done with MIT PSFC focused on enabling the use of additive manufacturing (specifically laser powder bed fusion) to fabricate a range of sub-components for use in a high field side lower hybrid coupler (HFS-LHC) by eliminating the as-printed surface roughness inherent to L-PBF.

The L-PBF HFS-LHC is making use of the novel copper alloy GRCop-84, developed by NASA for use in high-temperature applications.  REM’s experience supporting NASA and the commercial space industry with L-PBF applications for both GRCop-84 and GRCop-42 served as a foundation for the application to waveguides and similar component types.  Working with Dr. Stephen Wukitch and Dr. Andrew Seltzman of MIT PSFC, REM developed preliminary capabilities to produce surface finishes of <0.8 µm (32 µin) Ra and <0.3 µm (12 µin) Ra on the internal surfaces of HFS-LHC sub-components.

“The breadth of applications which we are seeing as a result of the exciting capabilities of additive manufacturing is impressive.  REM was worked in the power generation industry for decades supporting gas/steam turbine blade and wind turbine gearbox surface finishing, but fusion energy is certainly a new application space for us.  We are proud to be playing a small part in helping to advance the groundbreaking scientific work being done on plasma fusion by Dr. Wukitch and Dr. Seltzman,” REM Surface Engineering CEO, Justin Michaud says.

Novel Surface Finishing Approach for Additively Manufactured RF Components for Fusion Reactor Applications

About REM Surface Engineering

REM Surface Engineering, the inventor of the ISF® Process, the Rapid ISF® Process, the Extreme ISF® Process, and the REM® Process, is a global leader in providing surface engineering solutions. The REM’s isotropic superfinishing technologies are value-adding and performance-enhancing improvements to conventional machining operations such as grinding and lapping. Founded in 1965 in Southington, CT by Robert Michaud, REM Surface Engineering is a family-owned company that has proudly been serving our partners and customers for over 50 years. REM Surface Engineering operates four locations in Brenham, TX, Southington, CT, Merrillville, IN, and St. Neots, UK that provide products and services globally. For more information, please visit www.remchem.com.

 

Media Contact: Christina Michaud

cmichaud@remchem.com