The plasma-facing components transporter (PFCT): A prototype system for PFC replacement on the new ITER 2001 cassette mock-up

Due to major modifications in the ITER 1998 divertor cassette design, the main focus over the past few years has been focussed on the design and manufacture of the various components, devices and tools needed for refurbishment of the new ITER 2001 divertor cassette. The design of this new cassette differs substantially from the earlier version: shape, weight and attachment system of the plasma facing components (PFC's), as well as the divertor cassette body (CB) have been completely revised. These modifications entailed also the revision of the procedures adopted for its refurbishment. To demonstrate the refurbishment feasibility operations for the new ITER divertor 2001 cassettes, an experimental machine known as the plasma-facing component transporter (PFCT) has been designed, fabricated and commissioned in the years 2003–2005. This full six degrees-of-freedom system has been designed to handle payloads of up to 5 tonnes with good positional accuracy, and axes capable of very low joint velocities, including inclination of the PFC's over the range of ±10° in both horizontal axes, and controlled rotation about the vertical axis. Preliminary trials carried out during the commissioning phase have proved its suitability for the remote handling maintainability of the cassette, and further full remote trials are planned in the near future. This paper describes the requirements, design, manufacture and testing of the PFCT, and details of the activities carried out and the results obtained are also illustrated and discussed.