
At Avasarala Technologies Ltd, an impressive view awaited the pair of ITER vacuum experts: thousands upon thousands of in-wall shielding plates to be fitted between the inner and outer walls of the vacuum vessel to provide radiation protection for the magnets.
Like ordinary visitors, vacuum experts try to pack as many destinations as possible into their schedule. Why not take advantage of the start of manufacturing on a vacuum sealing test rig in Bangalore to visit other factories manufacturing ITER's vacuum-related components? Or once in Mumbai, why not take the local train and auto rickshaw to visit the Larsen & Toubro Ltd factory in Hazira, less than half an hour away, before continuing further north to Gandhinagar to work with colleagues at the Institute of Plasma Research?

Nine people can easily stand in the cryostat opening for the torus cryopump housing. At the Larsen & Toubro factory in Hazira, ITER vacuum experts witnessed progress in the testing of the welds and in the manufacturing of the pedestal ring and the lower cylinder of the cryostat. In the first row, Eamonn Quinn (left) and Robert Pearce.
After two days of discussion the team headed to Avasarala Technologies Ltd, where an impressive view awaited them: thousands upon thousands of in-wall shielding plates. Made of a sandwich of borated steel blocks, the plates will be fitted between the inner and outer walls of the vacuum vessel to provide radiation protection for the magnets.