UKAEA’s manufacturing services provide advanced, high‑reliability components and assemblies for demanding environments – from fusion and fission to quantum and space. We combine specialist design, precision fabrication and rigorous testing to help organisations turn complex engineering challenges into robust, certifiable solutions.
UKAEA’s manufacturing services are undertaken by specialist teams including the Special Techniques Group (STG), and the Fabrication, Installation and Maintenance Unit.
What we offer
Our facilities and teams cover the full life cycle from concept to qualified hardware.
Machining
- Precision components: High‑accuracy machining for complex geometries
- Demanding materials: Experience with challenging alloys and materials
Additive manufacture
- 3D printing of fusion‑relevant materials: Including CuCrZr and tungsten for high‑heat‑flux and radiation‑tolerant applications
- Design for additive manufacturing: Support to optimise parts for performance, manufacturability and inspection
Joining technologies
- Welding: Specialist welding for critical structures and pressure boundaries
- Brazing: High‑integrity brazing for vacuum, cryogenic and medical systems (such as MRI)
- Diffusion bonding: Robust, leak‑tight joints for complex assemblies and specialist components.
Testing and metrology
- Dimensional metrology: Verification of tight tolerances over long length scales
- Performance testing: Mechanical, thermal and environmental testing to validate designs against real‑world conditions
- Compliance evidence: Data packages to support qualification and certification
Challenges we solve
We focus on the customer’s problem, not just the process. Typical examples include:
- Operating in extreme environments: Components for high temperature, high radiation, vacuum and aggressive media
- Tritium confinement: Design and manufacture of specialist vacuum components and containment systems
- Unusual standards and codes: Joining and fabrication in compliance with RCC‑MR, ISO, ASME and other sector‑specific requirements
- Integration into complex systems: Hardware that must interface reliably with diagnostics, magnets, cryogenics, quantum devices and more
Industries we can support
We can work across multiple sectors and can translate fusion‑driven capability into wider industrial impact.
- Fusion energy research: Components and assemblies for experimental facilities and test rigs
- Aerospace: Specialist welding for spacecraft and satellite hardware subject to severe thermal and mechanical loads
- Medical and MRI: Brazed assemblies and vacuum components for MRI systems
- Oil and gas: Equipment for aggressive, corrosive environments and high pressures
- Quantum and advanced computing: Ultra‑clean, ultra‑stable vacuum and optical components for next‑generation systems
Case studies
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UKAEA viewports support quantum computing at the Technical University of Vienna
UKAEA’s optical viewports supported TU Vienna’s quantum research, enabling single-atom manipulation with clarity, vacuum integrity and reliability.
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Pioneering optical viewports for next-generation quantum systems
UKAEA’s precision optical viewport boosts quantum research with ultra-high performance, vacuum-ready design and cross-industry applications.
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Collaboration across borders: fabrication of testing capsules for NIFT‑E
UKAEA fabricated and assembled 8 NIFT-E test capsules—636 material specimens across 18 types—for INL irradiation testing.
