Category: Press Release

A test unit small modular reactor (SMR) vessel, fabricated in partnership with the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and Cambridge Vacuum Engineering (CVE), has been successfully installed by the US-based nuclear energy company, Kairos Power, at its USA campus in Tennessee.

The 14-foot-high reactor vessel is the central component in Kairos Power’s non-nuclear reactor mockup, and its installation marks a significant milestone for the US-based company in the construction of its third Engineering Test Unit (ETU 3.0).

Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Kairos Power is using its Engineering Test Unit programme to validate a safe, cost-effective pathway for the future deployment of advanced nuclear reactors in the United States.

Leveraging industry and academic partnerships, Kairos is piloting the use of innovative engineering techniques and construction processes that can help lower costs and accelerate production timelines for a future commercial fleet of SMRs that will support the clean energy transition in the U.S.

The University of Sheffield AMRC brought its unique expertise and capability to the ETU project, integrating various advanced manufacturing technologies under one roof – including CVE’s advanced welding technology. The AMRC’s capability to manage machining, welding and inspection in a single location allowed for the fabrication of a complete vessel rather than individual parts, proactively addressing potential future issues.

Ben Morgan, interim CEO at the University of Sheffield AMRC, said: “Large demonstrators like the ETU 3.0 reactor vessel are vital for effectively bringing advanced manufacturing methods into industry, offering a holistic solution for fabricating complex, large-scale components.

“The collaborative efforts of CVE, Kairos Power and the AMRC in addressing the complexities of welding, fixturing, machining and inspection for ETU 3.0 will undoubtedly accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies for clean, affordable and secure power.”

The ETU 3.0 reactor vessel was fabricated using a cutting-edge electron beam welding technology from CVE, which produces high-quality welds at least an order of magnitude faster than conventional arc welding. For example, welds that previously took one week during the fabrication of the ETU 2.0 vessel were completed in approximately ten minutes for ETU 3.0.

Bob Nicolson, CVE managing director, said: “Our collaboration with Kairos Power and the team at AMRC underscores the transformative potential of electron beam welding in advanced manufacturing. The technology scales well to the precise and demanding requirements of nuclear construction, and this partnership represents a significant step forward in SMR commercialisation.”

The ETU 3.0 project allowed Kairos Power to evaluate the use of electron beam welding to enable faster, more cost-effective production of reactor vessels with precise tolerances for its future commercial fleet.

Craig Gerardi, vice president for manufacturing at Kairos Power, said: “The ability to test innovative production methods using full-scale non-nuclear hardware is a game-changer for Kairos Power.

“Collaborating with CVE and AMRC let us rapidly gain hands-on experience with electron beam welding that could transform how we deliver reactors for customers.”

Beyond its manufacturing innovations, the ETU 3.0 facility will serve as a vital proving ground to refine civil construction methods and quality assurance procedures for the Hermes Low-Power Demonstration Reactor, and will ultimately support the Hermes reactor as an operator training centre and test platform for remote handling and maintenance equipment.

Edward Blandford, chief technology officer and co-founder of Kairos Power, said: “The installation of our third ETU reactor vessel marks a significant moment on our commercial development pathway.

“ETU 3.0 will serve an important mission as a testing and training platform to ensure safe and efficient operations for the Hermes reactor. But, more broadly, the expertise and capabilities we gain from the ETU program will help pave the way to successfully deploy Kairos Power’s commercial fleet.”

The facility will help improve operator safety and reduce downtime by prequalifying procedures for maintaining and replacing high-temperature reactor systems and components. Capabilities to be tested will include shielded component transfer systems, heavy-lifting and positioning systems, and remote vision, control and feedback.

The ETU 3.0 building will also house a Modular Systems Facility where plant equipment modules for ETU 3.0 and the Hermes reactor will be staged, assembled, and tested prior to installation. The modular reactor construction methods being piloted with the ETU series and Hermes will be foundational to reducing construction costs and timelines for future plant deployments.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon Rachel Reeves, and The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Rt Hon Ed Miliband, visited Cambridge Vacuum Engineering (CVE) in Waterbeach, Cambridge on Monday 9 June to see the company’s Ebflow™ technology in action.

The visit saw the Ministers learn more about CVE’s Ebflow™ electron beam welding technology, which has the potential to transform manufacturing timelines and costs for the UK’s next-generation nuclear power infrastructure.

The visit came ahead of the Government announcing investments in Sizewell C and the results of its’ Great British Nuclear (GBN) Small Modular Reactor (SMR) competition – an initiative to select and support the deployment of SMR reactors across the UK. SMRs have a critical role to play in the UK’s transition to a low carbon economy. Smaller than conventional nuclear power station reactors, SMRs can be constructed in modular units, allowing for phased construction and deployment, potentially reducing costs and construction time.

Ebflow, an advanced electron beam (EB) welding technology, developed by the team at CVE, is proven to transform the speed at which nuclear pressure vessels can be built. In a trial conducted by Sheffield Forgemasters (announced in early 2024), Ebflow™ cut the time needed to weld a demonstrator vessel for an SMR from more than a year to less than 24 hours.

On site at CVE, The Chancellor and Mr Miliband initiated an Ebflow™ test weld, while speaking to CVE staff about the development of the technology.

Bob Nicolson, Managing Director of Cambridge Vacuum Engineering said: “We were honoured to welcome the Chancellor and Mr Miliband to our premises to learn more about our electron beam welding capabilities. Ebflow™ was developed to enable major cost savings and efficiencies across aerospace, automotive, defence and renewable energy welding projects. In the nuclear sector, Ebflow™ has the potential to reshape the future of reactor production, enabling the fast, efficient production of core components needed to support the country’s transition to a low carbon economy and build a more resilient and flexible energy system. We welcome the Government’s decision to invest in Sizewell C and the appointment of Rolls-Royce SMR as preferred bidder to build the country’s first small modular reactors.”

For more information about Ebflow, please go to: www.ebflow.com

Cambridge Vacuum Engineering (CVE), a global leader in power beam welding technologies, is set to showcase its latest advancements in stator welding at Coiltech Deutschland2025, one of the premier international exhibitions for coil winding, electric motors, and transformer manufacturing.

Over two days (26-27 March), CVE will present cutting-edge welding solutions, which offer unmatched efficiency, precision and reliability in the manufacture of high-performance electrical components.

A key focal point at the show will be CVE’s involvement in the EB-eDrive project – which was focused on automating and scaling up electron beam welding for joining copper and aluminium components in electric motors. The project, which recently concluded, was exploring the potential to improve a core manufacturing process needed to create hairpin stators – the electromagnet system central to electric vehicle engines. Streamlining this element of production is considered key to boosting the manufacture of electric vehicles worldwide.

Bob Nicolson, Managing Director at CVE, said: “We look forward to returning to Coiltech and demonstrating how our advanced power beam welding systems can enhance production quality and efficiency for coil and transformer manufacturers. Our solutions are designed to meet the evolving needs of the industry, ensuring superior weld integrity and minimal material distortion – while achieving significant process efficiencies.”

CVE has more than sixty years’ experience supplying electron beam and laser welding systems that can save customers time and money – while also improving the quality of welds.

Visitors to Coiltech can meet with CVE’s team of experts and discover how power beam and electron beam welding can revolutionise their manufacturing processes. For more information, head to booth 5 – B37 at Coiltech 2025 or go to: www.camvaceng.com or email: sales@camvaceng.com

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With demand for its electron beam welding technologies on the rise, Cambridge Vacuum Engineering (CVE) is pleased to announce the appointment of Luke Sansby as Global Sales and Marketing Director – Ebflow.

Working closely with the existing Ebflow team, led by Chris Punshon, Director of Ebflow Research, Development, and Applications, Luke will help drive the global commercial success and market reach of CVE’s award-winning Ebflow welding technology.

Luke joins CVE from Vacuum Engineering Services (VES). A highly accomplished, hands-on business leader, Luke has a proven track record of spearheading the launch of innovative engineering technologies into global markets and securing multi-million-pound deals with some of the biggest manufacturing companies in the world.

“We are thrilled to have Luke on board,” said Chris Punshon. “His experience in the engineering industry and his ability to deliver commercial growth through innovation make him an invaluable addition to our team. We look forward to working with him to expand Ebflow’s market presence and advance our mission to deliver cutting-edge welding solutions worldwide.”

With a growth-oriented mindset and customer-focused approach, Luke has consistently demonstrated a strong ability to identify market opportunities and align technological advancements with customer needs. His leadership will be instrumental in broadening the adoption of Ebflow’s groundbreaking capabilities across diverse industries.

Commenting on his appointment, Luke said: “I am delighted to join CVE and to work alongside the talented Ebflow team at such a pivotal time in the company’s growth journey. Ebflow is a game changing technology with vast potential, and I look forward to driving its success in existing and new markets.”

Ebflow is a unique form of local vacuum electron beam (LVEB) welding that can be used across heavy engineering but is also proving popular in renewable energy infrastructure projects, where it is supporting the drive to net zero. Ebflow works by creating and maintaining a vacuum around just the seam that is being welded and is significantly quicker, cheaper, more energy efficient and cleaner than conventional welding techniques.

CVE is headquartered in Cambridge, UK and has regional offices in Beijing, China and Massachusetts, USA, as well as a global network of agents. For more information about Ebflow, visit: https://ebflow.com/

Cambridge Vacuum Engineering (CVE) is proud to announce it has been recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces in Manufacturing, Production & Transportation™ 2024 by Great Place To Work® UK. In parallel, the business has been officially recertified as part of the Great Place To Work scheme.

The UK’s Best Workplaces in Manufacturing, Production & Transportation™ list highlights organisations that excel in creating exceptional work environments. At the heart of this recognition is the Trust Index© employee survey administered by Great Place to Work® UK. This research-backed survey gathers insights from employees, focusing on key areas such as work-life balance, job satisfaction, psychological safety, and professional development. The survey also evaluates how consistently organisations deliver a positive experience across all departments and levels of seniority.

The Great Place To Work scheme is recognised worldwide and is the only certification based entirely on employee feedback.

Bob Nicolson, Managing Director at CVE, commented: “We are incredibly proud to be recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces in Manufacturing, Production & Transportation and to retain our Great Place to Work status. At CVE we know that investing in our employees’ growth and wellbeing is key to driving our company forward. This recognition affirms we are on the right path. Thank you to all of our employees for making CVE a truly great place to work.”

Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK, said: “It’s great to see so many examples on our new UK’s Best Workplaces in Manufacturing, Production & Transportation list of organisations making their workplaces truly ‘great’. These companies know that investing in the development needs of their employees has a direct impact on employee wellbeing as well as organisational growth. Congratulations to CVE for making it onto this prestigious list.”

For more than 60 years, CVE has been supplying innovative welding solutions to some of the biggest names in aerospace, automotive, defence, nuclear, and oil and gas – helping them solve major engineering challenges. Demand for the company’s welding know-how is ramping up as industries seek to lower their carbon footprint and speed up the manufacture of electric vehicle batteries, wind turbines and nuclear reactors.

To learn more about the UK’s Best Workplaces in Manufacturing, Production & Transportation™ 2024 by Great Place to Work® UK, please visit: https://www.greatplacetowork.co.uk/best-workplaces/manufacturing/2024

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Cambridge Vacuum Engineering (CVE) is delighted to announce further awards success after winning the prestigious ‘Innovation of the Year’ award at the inaugural Cambridge Independent Business Awards 2024. The award win reinforces CVE’s track record in delivering huge advances in the world of welding and the calibre of its Ebflow welding technology, which is significantly faster, cheaper, and cleaner than conventional welding techniques.

The awards ceremony – held on Thursday 26^th September at the historic Great Hall of Kings College, Cambridge – brought together businesses from across the county to celebrate their achievements and contributions across various industries.

Bob Nicolson, Managing Director at CVE, said: “Being acknowledged in this inaugural awards program is immensely rewarding. At CVE, much of our work is global. Most of our welding machines are exported, but we are very much a Cambridge-based business, with the majority of our workforce based in and around the city. Being recognised locally on the Cambridge business scene is testament to the ongoing efforts of our team, who are continually pushing the limits of what is possible in welding to deliver cutting-edge solutions to some of the biggest names in manufacturing in the world.”

For more information about the Cambridge Independent Business Awards 2024, or to view a list of all of the winners, please visit: https://www.iliffemediapromotions.co.uk/cambridge-business-awards/

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Cambridge Vacuum Engineering (CVE), a specialist in power beam welding technologies, has won the highly coveted ‘Manufacturing Technology Innovation’ award at the Engineering & Manufacturing Awards 2024 for its revolutionary Ebflow™ technology. The national award, which celebrates disruptive technologies within the sector, was presented at a ceremony held at the London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square, in early September.

Ebflow, an advanced welding technology developed by CVE, is rapidly gaining recognition as a critical enabler in the transition towards a net-zero future. The technology is making a significant impact across the energy sector where it is proven to accelerate the construction of essential infrastructure components, such as wind turbines and small modular nuclear reactors.

The ‘Manufacturing Technology Innovation’ category honours ground-breaking manufacturing techniques that demonstrate tangible benefits across industries. CVE’s innovative Ebflow technology stood out to the judging panel – which was made up of some of the UK’s leading engineers. Of particular note was Ebflow’s recent role in expediting the production of a monopile foundation for the world’s largest offshore wind farm – Dogger Bank. The RapidWeld project, which utilised Ebflow, achieved welding speeds at least 25 times faster than traditional methods, while reducing energy consumption by 90%, cutting costs by 88%, and lowering CO2 emissions by 97%.

Bob Nicolson, Managing Director at Cambridge Vacuum Engineering, expressed his pride in the company’s achievement, stating: “Being recognised in these prestigious national awards is a tremendous honour for the CVE team. Ebflow is designed to address one of the most pressing challenges in today’s energy and manufacturing sectors – how to make infrastructure components faster and with a lower carbon footprint. This award is a testament to the hard work and innovation of our team and our partners. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and with technologies like Ebflow, we are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of manufacturing and energy production worldwide.”

In addition to its success in the offshore wind sector, Ebflow has also been instrumental in reducing the welding time for a small modular reactor (SMR) pressure vessel demonstrator at Sheffield Forgemasters from over a year to less than 24 hours. This breakthrough could revolutionize nuclear reactor production and help bridge the energy gap in the UK.

To see a full list of the winners at the Engineering and Manufacturing Awards 2024, please visit: https://engineeringmanufacturingawards.com/emas/en/page/winners-2024

Max Nentwich, Head Laser Development Engineer at Cambridge Vacuum Engineering (CVE), has been elected Vice-Chair of the International Institute of Welding’s Commission IV: Power Beam Processes. His appointment was ratified at the recent Assembly & Conference on Welding and Joining held by the International Institute of Welding (IIW) in Rhodes, and is a notable accomplishment, given his young age.

Max’s appointment underscores his expertise and contributions to the field of welding and joining. After graduating in 2020, he joined CVE in July 2023, following two years at Cranfield University as a Research Engineer. Since joining CVE, Max has built upon the hugely successful Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) he completed whilst at Cranfield University, enhancing welding options available to engineers worldwide. His project solved the undesirable optics contamination phenomenon associated with Laser in Vacuum welding, paving the way for full scale industrial exploitation of the technology.

With Max’s project awarded the highest grade of ‘Outstanding’ by Innovate UK, CVE is now building Laser in Vacuum welding machines featuring the technology for its customers in industry.

Bob Nicolson, Managing Director at Cambridge Vacuum Engineering, said: “Max’s election to this esteemed position reflects his dedication and the innovative work being undertaken at CVE. His new role within the IIW will allow him to influence and drive advancements in power beam processes, further establishing his own and CVE’s reputation as leaders in the industry. Fantastic work, Max – congratulations.”

Max added: “I am honoured to be elected Vice-Chair of IIW Commission IV. This role provides a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the advancement of power beam processes on a global scale. I look forward to working with my peers to drive innovation and excellence in our field.”

CVE’s Director of Ebflow Research, Development and Applications, Chris Punshon, also continues in his role as Chairman of Commission IV B for Electron Beam Welding for IIW.

CVE is headquartered in Waterbeach and has regional offices in Beijing, China and Massachusetts, USA, as well as a global network of agents.

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Cambridge Vacuum Engineering (CVE) is proud to announce its selection as a finalist in the inaugural Cambridge Independent Business Awards 2024. CVE has been recognised in the highly competitive ‘Innovation of the Year’ category, highlighting its commitment to pioneering advancements in the welding industry.

Winners will be revealed at a grand gala awards ceremony, which is scheduled to take place on Thursday 26^thSeptember at the historic Great Hall at Kings College, Cambridge. The event will bring together the best and brightest businesses from across the region to celebrate their achievements and contributions to various industries.

Bob Nicolson, Managing Director at CVE, said: “We are honoured to be named as a finalist in the Innovation of the Year category in this brand new local awards programme. We continually strive to drive innovation forward in our sector, so to be recognised by a third party is gratifying. It underscores our dedication to pushing the boundaries of technology and delivering exceptional solutions to our customers. We look forward to the ceremony.”

To find out more about the Cambridge Independent Business Awards 2024, please visit: https://www.iliffemediapromotions.co.uk/cambridge-business-awards/

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