INTERNAL DEVELOPMENT STUDY
Remote inspection probe carrier
Reach a difficult inspection location, capture a repeatable view and recover the tool in a clean mock-up.
Project updates & results
Proposed study
This is a proposed internal development study. Verified parts and results are not yet available.
The brief defines what the study will investigate and measure.
The proposed brief
Position a small camera or inspection probe within a representative enclosure, record a repeatable view and recover the tool without entering the space. Use a clean, non-radiological mock-up with known targets and access constraints.
Design, iteration & manufacture
Model the access envelope; develop a common tool interface, replaceable probe carrier and cable guides; iterate printed models; build a metal/polymer prototype on a manual articulated arm, linear stage or available manipulator. Evaluate reach and recovery with different tool geometries.
What the study will measure
Target coverage, repeatable positioning, setup and retrieval time, collision clearance, tool-change repeatability and a controlled interrupted-task recovery demonstration. Do not claim radiation tolerance or operational decommissioning approval from the clean mock-up.
Applications for customers
Practical inspection tooling for nuclear support, offshore energy and industrial maintenance. Sellafield's 2026 trial of a specialised robot-mounted tool demonstrates demand for task-specific attachments. DPM should create its own inspection interface and task, without reproducing the published patent-pending swabbing design. Sellafield example
Markforged within the proposed route
Partner Markforged printing can support suitable fit models, fixtures or representative polymer/composite parts. We select the printer, base material and compatible reinforcement against the part’s requirements. This available capability does not establish readiness for this study.
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