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RJ Industrie (in collaboration with Framatome)
France
Nuclear Manufacturing and Robotic Automation
Autodesk PowerShape, Autodesk PowerMill
Implementation, Software Development and Consulting
collaborated with ARKANCE on a robotic plasma cutting R&D project carried out on nuclear sites. RJ Industrie is a specialist in robotic integration and the design of special-purpose machines, delivering advanced automation solutions for complex industrial environments. Framatome is an international leader in the nuclear energy sector, providing innovative technologies, equipment and services to ensure the performance and safety of nuclear facilities worldwide. Together, they represent strong expertise in high-precision manufacturing and industrial innovation.
As part of a research and development project focused on robotic plasma cutting, RJ Industrie, Framatome and ARKANCE joined forces to push the boundaries of automation and innovation.
The plasma cutting project is being carried out on nuclear sites, where operator safety is paramount. The parts to be cut can reach up to 13 cm in thickness in stainless steel, generating heat projections and posing a risk of burns. Wearing an oxygen mask is required, highlighting the complexity of the work.
The main challenge was therefore to perform these cuts using robotic systems, in order to ensure both operator safety and cutting precision.
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The real challenge is being able to cut at any time, with accuracy and reliability, thanks to ARKANCE’s Offline Programming (OLP) solutions.
In this project, ARKANCE brought its expertise in software development and robotic systems integration. The company provided software solutions tailored to the specific requirements of robotic cutting, enabling robot paths to be programmed from a control room. This ensured cutting precision while reducing the risks associated with the working environment.
Thanks to the collaboration with ARKANCE, RJ Industrie was able to focus on integrating the robots into the production environment, while benefiting from the flexibility and adaptability of the software solutions provided by ARKANCE. This made it possible to programme the cutting paths with a high level of accuracy, ensuring results that met the project’s requirements.
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Building on the standard Autodesk PowerShape and Autodesk PowerMill software, ARKANCE developed simplified and intuitive interfaces to make it easier for Framatome’s teams to get to grips with the tools. These interfaces were specifically tailored to meet the project’s requirements, limiting superfluous features while optimising the efficiency of cutting operations.
This customisation enabled Framatome to use the tools quickly and effectively, while making full use of the capabilities of the Autodesk software.
The project was marked by several testing phases and the resolution of technical challenges. Plasma cutting generates temperature variations and deposits that can distort the part during the process. These phenomena had to be taken into account to ensure cutting precision and to avoid any deviation in the toolpaths.
One of the main challenges was the precise realignment of the robot within its cutting environment. When the part heats up, it deforms, and the mechanical connections can change. The evolution of the part during the cutting process was a major factor that had to be considered.
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All of these challenges were overcome through close collaboration between the teams at RJ Industrie, Framatome and ARKANCE, resulting in a technically successful project that met all requirements.
This paves the way for further advances in the field of robotic manufacturing and demonstrates how technology can transform industrial processes while ensuring highly precise results.