A perspective on equipment design for fusion remote handling

The successful operation of the JET remote handling facility has been directly attributable to the design processes adopted for the remote handling equipment and experimental components. The authors report here on the experience they have gained and future advances in technology they believe could benefit the maintenance of fusion machines. The approach to the provision of remote handling equipment has been the preferred use of commercially-off-the-shelf equipment. In the areas of electrical, electronic, software and control this approach has been generally achievable. However, mechanical equipment has been almost entirely bespoke as its requirements are highly sensitive to the design of the JET components and the in-vessel access conditions and environmental compatibility. Hence, JET has required the design and manufacture of over 700 special types of remote handling equipment. This paper discusses the experience of introducing and developing remote handling mechanical equipment for JET and covers the relationship between the remote handling equipment and the JET component design and the potential for improving the design function. A major lesson from the introduction of remote handling to JET has been demonstration of the very close interdependency of the design of components with the design of remote handling tooling. Future fusion machines will be much more complex than JET and will demand even greater remote handling compatibility. This paper will discuss possible methods for improving this process. Also discussed are the principles of condition monitoring to provide a means of pre-emptive maintenance, modularisation, standardisation, and innovations and developments which have the potential for improving some of the key technologies required for fusion machines.