New coil manufacturing machine brings limitless fusion energy a step closer

Japan’s Helical Fusion, in partnership with Sugino Machine Limited, has developed a unique coil manufacturing machine designed to produce high-temperature superconducting (HTS) spiral-shaped coils—critical components for its nuclear fusion reactor concept. These coils are essential for stably confining plasma, a key requirement for generating fusion energy. This advancement addresses a major manufacturing challenge in Helical’s Helix Program, which aims to deliver commercially viable nuclear fusion energy by around 2030. The Helix Program focuses on achieving three core requirements for commercial fusion power plants: net electricity generation, continuous steady operation, and maintainability, using current technologies. Helical plans to demonstrate these capabilities with its Integrated Demonstration Device, Helix HARUKA, followed by operating the Helix KANATA reactor to produce the first commercially viable fusion power. The newly completed coil manufacturing machine will enable efficient production of these high-performance HTS coils and is expected to play a critical role in assembling Helix HARUKA, with on