The development of a standard guide for Materials Handling Equipment in Remotely Operated Facilities has been initiated by a task group of ASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear Fuel Cycle.

“This guide is needed to aid in the design of equipment to be used successfully in the unique application of remotely operated facilities, and to provide information on new technology that can be advantageous in these facilities,” said Clyde Ward, advisory engineer, Westinghouse Savannah River Co., Aiken, S.C., and ASTM task group chair.

To aid those new to this technology, the proposed guide will be based on the committee’s extensive experience with remote systems applications, Ward said. Currently, four members of the task group represent a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) site, two DOE national laboratories, and a hot cell equipment vendor. Additional participants with remote equipment experience from outside DOE and remote equipment vendors are sought; interested parties should contact Ward at the address that follows.

The proposed guide will cover general requirements, maintenance, and failure recovery for materials handling equipment to be used inside remotely operated facilities containing radioactive materials. Materials handling equipment includes cranes, mechanical master-slave manipulators, power manipulators, robotics, and material transfer equipment (carts, bogies, etc.).

For further technical information, contact Clyde Ward, Westinghouse Savannah River Co., Bldg. 773 A D1134, Aiken, S.C. 29808 (803/725-5891; fax: 803/725-7369). Committee C26 meets Jan. 21-25 in Reno, Nev. For meeting or membership details, contact C26 Staff Manager Jeffrey Adkins, ASTM (610/832-9738). //

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