Shutdown 2009/2010: Removing tiles

The sequence shows how the new extended boom (octant 1 boom), equipped with a carrier subframe for transporting the tile after removal, snakes into the vessel and meets the MASCOT boom. Both booms are positioned with the help of ‘teach files’ which control specific boom movements and these are prepared in advance. When the final boom destinations are reached a member of the Remote Handling team operates the MASCOT. In this movie a handling tool, supplied in-vessel by the octant 1 boom, has already been attached to the divertor tile and then the man in the loop unbolts the tile using MASCOT. The handling tool with the tile attached is then placed onto the carrier subframe. Afterwards, the handling tool is then detached and the octant 1 boom removes the tile from the vessel. Now the tiles are manually transferred into a container for further storage.

The new extended (octant 1) boom is the result of a technical assessment and was developed especially for this shutdown. The boom can be seen as a mechanical servant which delivers equipment and removes it when it isn’t needed any more. With this improvement the shutdown needs up to 30 per cent less time.”