Production system for conductor of the mirror fusion test facility magnet

A production system has been designed, constructed, and operated that is capable of processing Mirror Fusion Test Facility (MFTF) stabilized superconductor. The MFTF conductor consists of an embossed strip, with uniformly spaced holes along its length, wrapped around and soldered to a 6-mm-sq multifilament superconductor core. The embossing provides an internal extended heat transfer surface as well as additional copper stabilization. The conductor can be made at a rate of 100 m/hr in single lengths of up to 600 m each. About 3000 m of conductor per week can be made on a one-shift basis. Three separate production lines have been constructed: a stabilizer-sheath fabrication line, a plating line, and a sheath wrapping and soldering line. Each of the three lines is capable of operating independently and simultaneously and is instrumented for control and inspection of the product.