Walking through the machine
8 Dec 2014
After two years of relying on technology installed at the neighbouring CEA Institute for Magnetic Fusion Research (IRFM), followed by another year of operating out of a prefabricated building, the ITER Organization is now equipped with its own permanent virtual reality room on the ground floor of the new Headquarters extension.
Thanks to the installed visualization software, Techviz, ITER's design engineers can literally "walk through" the ITER machine and the surrounding Tokamak Complex. The 2.5 x 4 m screen makes cooling water piping, vessel supports and any other plant system or component appear true-to-size. Rather than watching 3D animations—which can also be done—the technology is used for checking the design of the ITER machine and the integration of its many components ... large and small.