First Light Fusion, the Oxfordshire-based pioneer in inertial confinement fusion, has always been at the forefront of engineering innovation. The recent addition of the Kern Micro HD Five-Axis Machining Centre, supplied in the UK by Rainford Precision, has further elevated their manufacturing capabilities, delivering micron-level accuracy for the complex components essential to their experiments.
Installed within First Light Fusion’s climate-controlled, high-precision machine shop, the Kern Micro HD has quickly become a cornerstone of their operations. Martin Harwood, Head of Precision Manufacturing, explained:
“We were looking for the most accurate five-axis machining centre available. After extensive research and a visit to Kern, we knew the Micro HD could do everything we required.”
He highlighted the integral pallet change system and large tool capacity, which enable full lights-out automation. “The Kern’s probing system is so accurate that when we machine parts for the first time there is little or no alteration required—saving us valuable time.”
“We don’t just hit tolerances first time; the repeatability is quite remarkable”
The Kern Micro HD, renowned for its ultra-high precision and versatility, has become an indispensable tool in First Light Fusion’s quest to develop clean and sustainable energy. The machine’s ability to perform intricate five-axis machining allows the company to produce highly complex geometries with micron-level accuracy. This is particularly vital for creating the sophisticated targets and diagnostic components used in their fusion experiments, where even the slightest imperfection can significantly impact results.
Martin Harwood added “The Kern has increased our capability to machine highly accurate detail on a production scale, as the repeatability is quite remarkable and gives us more confidence in the whole precision machining process.”
Moreover, the Kern Micro HD has significantly reduced production times, enabling faster iteration and prototyping. This acceleration in R&D has allowed First Light Fusion to push the boundaries of their research, bringing them closer to achieving practical fusion energy. The machine’s reliability and precision have also minimized material waste, aligning with the company’s commitment to sustainability.
When I asked Martin what impact the introduction of the Kern Micro HD had on their future research plans, he replied “We are safe in the knowledge that we now have one of the most accurate machines in the world, so this allows us to design components with much tighter tolerances and in particular geometric tolerances controlled by multiple datums which are key specifications on the components in our research.” Clearly the added capability which the Kern delivers means that the ground-breaking research already being carried out here can now push those boundaries even further.
In essence, the Kern Micro HD Five-Axis Machining Centre has not only enhanced First Light Fusions manufacturing capabilities but has also become a cornerstone of their mission to revolutionise fusion energy research. By combining cutting-edge machining technology with visionary science, First Light Fusion continues to lead the charge toward a cleaner, brighter future.