[en] Highlights: • VR technologies applied to Fusion enable better and faster understanding of integration issues. • Assembly problems are solved and validated on a numerical mockup. • Integration and accessibility issues can be identified in the earliest design on numerical mockup. • Problems are solved and validated on a physical mockup. • VR technologies are very helpful for assembly and maintenance operation simulations. - Abstract: The WEST project (Tungsten (W) Environment in Steady state Tokamak) is an upgrade of the existing fusion machine, Tore Supra. The goal is to equip the tokamak with a fully cooled tungsten divertor and to transform the machine in a test platform open to all ITER partners. The main assembly challenge of this project consists of an implementation of two magnet systems, called divertors, with an accuracy of 1 mm. Indeed, each divertor has about 4 m as diameter and has a heavy weight of 10 tons; also it introduces piece by piece in the original vessel through tight ports then assembled inside. To ensure a perfect fitting between these new components and a very constrained environment, it is necessary to use the latest CAD technologies available. Beyond conventional CAD tools, the virtual reality (VR) room of the institute provides several useful tools. Thanks to the 185″ stereoscopic 3D screen and a force feedback arm linked to clash detection software developed by the CEA LIST, a new way to carry out design and assembly studies was performed. In order to improve VR results, metrology data (3D scan) enhance simulations. Therefore, it becomes possible to be aware of the real size of a component and future difficulties in assembling it. At last, performance of such simulations is evaluated and compared to physical mockup in order to bring enhancement to the VR tools, before to be compared to the real operations on Tore Supra. The aim is to build a design tool that helps the designer since early stage of the design of complex systems, taking into consideration integration, assembly and maintenance aspects while reducing costs and schedule of a project.

[en] Highlights: • The manufacturing of the divertor structure and coils has been performed according to the technical specifications. • The scale one dummy coils have been tested, the last test (curing process validation) being scheduled to be done in September 2016. • The divertor in situ assembly has been carried out successfully. • The brazing process was carried out with an excellent repeatability. • The impregnation and curing phase of the divertor coils are scheduled to be done in November 2016. - Abstract: In order to fully validate “ITER-like” actively water cooled tungsten plasma facing units, addressing the issues of long plasma discharges, an axisymmetric divertor structure has been studied and manufactured for the implementation in the WEST (W-Tungsten Environment in Steady state Tokamak) tokamak platform. This assembly, called divertor structure and coils (4 m diameter, 20 t), is composed of two stainless steel casings containing an actively water cooled (up to 180 °C, 4 MPa) copper winding pack designed for a conductor current in the range of 12.5kA (up to 1000s). It must sustain harsh environmental conditions in terms of ultra-high vacuum, high temperatures and electrodynamic loads. One major difficulty is the assembly by induction brazing of individual bended conductor sectors inside the vacuum vessel and the consecutive sealing of the casings by TIG welding. Therefor development activities have been carried out on a scale one dummy coil, such as brazing, assembly, thermal cycling and electrical insulation tests (5 kV ground voltage). Whereas the brazing assembly technics and the conductor installation were validated without major difficulties, different technical solutions for the electrical insulation had to be tested. The chosen solution is a resin epoxy impregnated fiber glass fabric layered around the conductors followed by a polymerization procedure. In parallel the manufacturing of divertor structure components started in the second half of 2013 with a total delivery at the end of 2015. The paper will illustrate the technical developments which have been performed in order to fully validate the design. It concerns mainly the dummy coil and the complex conductor installation procedure assisted by virtual reality tools. The manufacturing methods proposed by industry in order to fulfil the technical requirements will be also addressed. Finally the processes and associated tools used in order to implement this large component inside the WEST vacuum vessel will be detailed.