Press release 2002-11-18
Visitors to the WM‘03 symposium in Tucson, Arizona February 23-27 will have the opportunity to see how industry adapted Brokk machines will increase productivity and safety of personnel working in nuclear environments. A Brokk 180N equipped with cameras and remote video console will be demonstrated at Brokk stand No. 907. A heavy duty Brokk 330N equipped with a recently developed sawing attachment and an automatic tool exchange device will be demonstrated outside by the main entrance.
The Brokk 180N and the Brokk 330N shown at WM’03 are tailored to the needs of the nuclear industry. The Brokk 180N has two cameras mounted on the machine itself as well as an additional, freestanding camera. The operator sits in front of three high-resolution monitors, which display the camera views, and uses the original remote control box to operate the machine. This system allows the operator to be placed in an adjacent room, removed from radiation, falling debris, hot areas and other safety hazards. The Brokk 330N will be equipped with a recently developed sawing attachment intended for material such as reinforced concrete and steel structures. The Brokk 330N will also demonstrate a concrete crusher.
Unsurpassed for controlled breaking, Brokk machines are adapted for a wide range of attachments in addition to the attachments shown at WM’03, such as hammers, shears, buckets, and grapples. Brokk machines allow for many different tasks far beyond the scope of conventional Decontamination & Decommissioning operations. Attachment changing is a fully remote controlled operation carried out from the control box without any manual assistance and exposure from contaminated parts. The articulated hydraulic boom enables long reach and great working radius and the compact design of the machine allows for accessing and working in very small and tight areas.
The Brokk technology is well established and with a proven design and extensive field experience Brokk creates new technology to use in Decontamination & Decommissioning projects. The main advantage of the Brokk remote controlled system is that it provides the operator with a much safer and flexible solution compared to conventional manual Decontamination & Decommissioning methods. The Brokk system leaves the operator with the possibility to adapt the machine to their specific application, whether it is removing, sorting, containerizing, or demolishing radioactive material.