Prototype of Tamper Indicating Device for Automated Robotic
Application

To reduce the amount of weapons-grade nuclear waste present in the United States, the Department of Energy (DOE) started an initiative to dilute and dispose of the nation’s surplus plutonium. This disposition operation, occurring over the next 30 years, will process upwards of 120,000 Criticality Control Overpack (CCO) containers. Because of the high volume of CCOs being inspected and the duration of the project, the Savannah River Site (SRS) tasked Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) with automating the inspection of the CCOs while preserving the level of security in manual inspection operations. The final step in the inspection procedure is applying a Tamper Indicating Device (TID). The TID used in manual operations was unusable when paired with robotic automation, requiring the redesign of the TID and the design of an endof-arm tool for the robot to apply the TID. Following several prototypes using additive manufacturing and different materials, the latest iteration of the TID consists of two components: a reusable block made of a stainless steel and a replaceable, serialized aluminum pin. With the redesigned pin, the applicator tool, equipped with the block and pin assembly, applies the TID to the drum lid closure ring, presses the pin through the block, and deforms the disposable pin, locking it in place. Once locked, the TID prevents the bolt from being loosened and the lid from being removed unless the aluminum pin is destroyed. The robot captures the serial number, adding it to the data package for the CCO container, which is then verified when removing the TID and reopening the CCO after inspection. This is a custom, mass produced device that, because of its ability to be integrated with the robotic automation process, will allow the last step of the inspection process to be completed without human involvement. The automated installation of the TID ensures the security of the CCOs and that the management of nuclear material is not compromised throughout the disposition process.