ITER will have one of the largest and the most complex high vacuum systems ever built, and one characteristic of high vacuum is that the functionally of a whole system can be lost by not appreciating and paying attention to the effect of small details. The vacuum ''standards and quality'' training sessions offered by the Vacuum Delivery & Installation Section twice a year are a way to raise awareness.
The one-day session at ITER comprised lectures on vacuum quality, qualification, material requirements and leak testing. In addition, a practical session on leak detection techniques was held in the B99
Participants from the ITER Organization and from the Domestic Agencies attended lectures on vacuum quality, qualification, material requirements and leak testing, and took part in a practical session in the vacuum lab (photo).
Sharing the message that vacuum is a critical issue with technical responsible officers, quality assurance specialists, and resident inspectors working at ITER and in the Domestic Agencies creates the opportunity to raise awareness on potential issues and promote good practices in the organizations and among suppliers. One participant—Guim Pallas, technical responsible officer for leak localization at the European Domestic Agency--had this to say after last month's session: "I would strongly recommend the training to everyone working with or around vacuum."
