Central England Branch was delighted to offer our members and non-members a rare opportunity to visit the head offices and engineering facilities of Oxford Technologies at Abingdon for research facilities site tour and lecture. This event, held on 30 June, was attended by 46 people.
Please see below a brief summary of the presentation given a few weeks ago:
“Since the early age of nuclear energy research, telemanipulator have constantly been improved to optimise the necessary operation on radiation sources. In the 60s, research and development started in order to motorise “through the wall” manipulators in order to physically disconnect the master from the slave and allow more freedom of movement, while reducing the risk and exposure to operators.
In the 90s, Oxford Technologies carried on developing such technologies for JET, an experimental nuclear fusion reactor, allowing to have fully remote handling maintenance of the reactor without any man access, all controlled from a remote control room. Oxford Technologies has since maintained that type of technology to its state of the art.
Oxford Technologies is now deploying its unique experience to the nuclear decommissioning industry, from basic remote handling operation philosophy to specific design expertise. Such technologies and strategy will allow operators to work away from the source of danger, while increasing the efficiency of operations.”
A copy of the presentation is provided here.