Remote Tool Monitoring System

Abstract

As plant maintenance programs strive to improve plant efficiency, safety, and reliability, there is an increase in the use of automated tooling and systems. As a result, the need for a flexible and dependable remote monitoring system is evident. Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) has designed a state-of-the-art remote tool monitoring system for the Pt. Lepreau Retube and upcoming Wolsong Retube. This system has the ability to view, to monitor, and to control numerous tools from site and from remote locations anywhere in the world. It consists of the Voice Communication System (VCS), the Video Observation System (VOS), the Retube System Software (RSS), and the Remote Retube Operations Centre (RROC). The VCS, VOS, RSS, and RROC work together to provide an unparalleled level of information on the tooling and refurbishment process which is not only useful during the refurbishment work, but also for operator training and future tool design.