SAFIRE

Category: Robotics > Characterization and Inspection > Snake
Reference # : Model No :

SAFIRE is a remotely controlled robot that is equipped with a 2.2-m long, 12.5-mm wide, 18 degrees-of-freedom snake arm and a camera to take images of pipe work. The robot was developed in order to aid in dose reduction for nuclear workers. Set-up and tear-down takes less then 90 minutes, in which each operator spends less than 30 minutes in the raised-dose area to ensure the equipment is operational. This enables a remote work-session of any length of time with minimal exposure.

Benefits

SAFIRE is designed to be a dose-tolerant workhorse, gathering data during outages in order to build up a picture of the state of the feeders and track any changes. SAFIRE has demonstrated the expected benefits of replacing manual inspection with automated inspection. These include:

• Rapid set-up and tear down and remote operation that enabled considerable operator dose reduction.

• High quality images acquired from new vantage points and video captured from a stable platform.

Less tangible results include the ability of the most experienced inspectors to view and re-view plant conditions in real time. In addition, SAFIRE’s value could be extended by adding more tools.

Limitations

Comments

Pictures

	Operator Console
	Deploying SAFIRE above the mock-up walkway
	SAFIRE tracked vehicle and motor pack

Videos