Open AccessBlade Plunging Cutter. Innovative Technology Summary Report
Publication year - 2001
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/793511
Subject(s) - head (geology) , overhead (engineering) , shear (geology) , engineering , structural engineering , mechanical engineering , schedule , geology , marine engineering , materials science , computer science , electrical engineering , composite material , geomorphology , operating system
The Los Alamos LSDDP demonstrated a Mega-Tech hydraulic cutting shear to remove legs from plutonium glove boxes. The baseline technology used at LANL for removal of glove box legs is a reciprocating saw. Legs on glove boxes are typically either 3-inch diameter pipe or unistrut. During the demonstration, the Mega-Tech hydraulic cutting shear cut eight pipe legs in 15 minutes, while the reciprocating saw took 45-60 minutes to cut through eight legs, including a rest break to alleviate worker fatigue. Despite its lower production rate, the reciprocating saw may be favored in confined spaces, because it does not require as much access room as the hydraulic shears. Based on the faster production rate of the hydraulic shear, LANL and Rocky Flats are expected to begin using the hydraulic shear as their new baseline technology to remove legs from over 1,500 plutonium glove boxes at the two sites