NUCLEAR POWER
R
emotely operated rescue robots capable of withstanding hazardous environments will make
emergency jobs across UK nuclear plants signifi cantly safer and more cost eff ective. Pioneering engineering
fi rm Forth has designed and manufactured the Rescue Robot, which can be sent into disaster zones in the event of an incident and be operated from a command and control centre a safe distance away, removing the risk to human life. T e robot has been successfully trialled at Sellafi eld nuclear site in Cumbria, and the team at Forth is now looking to roll it out at other plants the length and breadth of the UK. Mark Telford, Forth’s managing
director, said: “T e Rescue Robot is a pioneering development that has already been successfully tested in hazardous environments, and it has been manufactured to off er a safe, remotely operated alternative to sending humans into disaster zones. “By working with Sellafi eld, we were
able to prove the machine is able to withstand some particularly dangerous conditions, and its various adaptations and capabilities mean that this will be a real asset to the UK’s nuclear industry. “T ere are endless amounts of
modifi cations and end eff ectors which can be included on the robot, and we are excited to be able to provide a product which will make working in nuclear plants across the country much safer, while also saving industry a substantial amount of money.” T e Rescue Robot has been built on a 1.6 tonne JCB compactor excavator platform and fi tted with high tech robotics systems and wireless technology, in addition to specialist, robust cameras and lights which won’t be destroyed in hazardous conditions. Functions of the robot include: a specialist 700bar rescue tool fi tted to cut through any hazards in its way; a grapple hook to move any obstruction; an ability
46
www.engineerlive.com
The rescue robot designed and manufactured by Forth
ROBOTTO THE RESCUE
Robots manufactured to remove risks to humans during emergencies at nuclear plants
to tow a trailer with a fi tted hopper to disperse a bund of sand to contain spillages; an affi xative spraying system to contain a nuclear spillage. T e robot is also tetherless and can be
controlled from a safe space in the control centre up to 150m away. Telford commented: “T e Rescue
Robot has been designed so it can easily be adapted to fi t whatever requirements are needed, and the opportunities for the machine to be used are limitless. “Sellafi eld Ltd required the
development of a 1.6 tonne robot, but we are able to adapt the product to any size and also fi t it with any type of tools or end eff ectors to fi t the nature of the project. “What is extremely exciting to us is that it can also be adapted to work in any industry, and it is a real game changer
in reaching some of the most dangerous environments found in sites across the UK.”
A PERMANENT ADDITION A Rescue Robot is now permanently situated in Sellafi eld and is on standby to safely carry out any emergency work in the most hazardous zones of the site. Gus Harding, Sellafi eld security and
resilience operations manager, said: “T e introduction of the Rescue Robot provides huge benefi ts in helping to keep humans out of harm’s way if we ever need to respond to an emergency situation. “T e Sellafi eld site is the perfect
testing ground for this type of innovative technology and having a machine like this so readily available gives everybody peace of mind.”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
