Command and Control application framework for interoperable heterogeneous ITER Remote Handling devices

Abstract

The ITER divertor Remote Handling maintenance concepts are under investigation at a full scale mockup facility, the Divertor Test Platform, located in Tampere, Finland. The key devices to carry out these operations are the (CMM), Cassette Toroidal Mover, Multi Axis Manipulators (MAM) and related tooling. Despite their differences, in essence all of these devices are manipulators with varying specifications. Hence, from the operator's point of view, they perform similar operations, such as following predefined position trajectories and lifting and carrying tools and equipment. This paper explores how to implement a software framework for a Command and Control application, otherwise known as Human Machine Interface (HMI), in such a way that it could be used to control different manipulators. A framework is presented that supports the combining of small, independent modules into a single cohesive HMI. It is then shown that a HMI can be built by combining modules that are common to these manipulators and modules that are specific to a single manipulator. This will not only minimize the programming effort but also reduce the training required of operators. To elaborate on the concept, an example HMI is implemented to control virtual models of CMM and MAM.