Development of an EDM-tool for theNuclear Industry

Sammanfattning: Electric Discharge Machining (EDM) is a machining method suitable for repair and maintenance operations in nuclear power plants. Crack removal and material sampling are two common operations where EDM is used in the nuclear power industry. Each crack removal or material sampling operation is unique, a new EDM-tool is therefore designed for every operation. This, together with the fact that the electrode used in the EDM-tool usually wears out before the crack is removed or the sample has been collected, is the foundation of this thesis. The objective was to develop one or several concepts of a modular EDM-tool with the ability to change electrode at repair location. This to shorten the development time for EDM-tools and the time for electrode change during an EDM operation. The concepts would be developed to the extent that a prototype could be manufactured and tested. The result is in accordance to the objective with one fully developed concept ready for manufacturing. It has not yet been manufactured, and therefore not been tested. There are still some sections of the tool that needs to be verified, for example the electric supply to the electrode. The concept consists of; a slim EDM-tool with the ability to lock the rotating electrode shaft, compact dielectric fluid- and electric-supply, hydraulic actuator with belt drive and an electrode magazine with place for 3 electrodes. Keywords: Nuclear, EDM, Electric Discharge Machining, Product development, Crack removal