The design of a remote fuel bundle welder for hot cell operation

The design of remote welder for a fuel bundle fabrication was undertaken to establish the optimum welding processes in a hot cell environment. An initial investigation for a hands-on fabrication outside the hot cell was performed, and the constraints of the resistance welder for the hot cell conditions were considered. Generally a gas tungsten arc welding, laser beam welding, friction welding, and RW (Resistance Welding) process were assessed as candidates for this application. The greatest advantage of the electrical resistance welding would be a qualified process for an overlapping A/B plate welding for which there is extensive production experience. This paper presents an outline of the developed resistance welder for a fuel bundle fabrication and reviews the conceptual design of a remote fuel bundle welder by using a mater slave manipulator. The design of a resistance welder by using 3D drawing method was also investigated.