Experiences in Process Automation of Injection Casting Equipment Inside Glove Box

Abstract

Fabrication of metallic (U-6%Zr) slugs involves melting of binary alloy under vacuum and injection casting into quartz moulds at high pressure. Injection casting system contains high vacuum, high pressure, motion control, crucible handling and glove box pressure control systems in addition to melting, preheating and cooling systems inside a glove box. Injection casting process is the primary and important operation of the metal fuel fabrication process and is in the critical path linked to productivity. It is pertinent to implement high level of automation to improve batch mode productivity, accuracy and reduce risk hazards associated with radioactivity. The technology development and process automation on fabrication of U-6%Zr binary alloy and qualification experiences are outlined in this paper. This paper deals with the experience gained in process automation of injection casting equipment, crucible lifting mechanism and its integration inside glove box which is maintained at high purity inert atmosphere.