Eadon Consulting have successfully completed a Proof of Concept R&D project developing their REACH system towards becoming a commercially available product for the nuclear industry. As part of this project, a prototype system has been developed and designed by Eadon, which has been manufactured and tested to demonstrate the capability of the solution.

REACH is a high payload capacity, modular platform for long range deployment of equipment, offering a reusable and simple toolkit that is adaptable to suit instrument and environment. REACH improves efficiency and safety whilst reducing deployment preparation time and cost. 

Eadon have undertaken this project through the Game Changers nuclear innovation programme, in response to Sellafield’s call for technical solutions to aid Post Operational Clean Out (POCO) activities. Working with Game Changers has greatly benefitted the development of REACH, enabling the technology to be developed from an initial concept through to a proven prototype. Game Changers has helped to establish contact with stakeholders in Sellafield, provided a structured technology development process, as well as a route to secure funding for the project.

The prototype REACH system was demonstrated to a panel of Sellafield employees at The Engineering Centre of Excellence at Cleator Moor, on Wednesday 21^st June 2021. This demonstration showcased several key aspects of the REACH concept, including the modular frame tube system, a remote actuated hinge module, as well as a remote operated carriage and rail system which can traverse the entire length of the REACH system.

Eadon Consulting have since been selected to continue with development of the technology based on the successful PoC demonstration. Over the coming months Eadon will work to assess the safety aspects of the design, including developing concepts for ease of emergency recovery, as well as outlining the development plan to take the technology on to an active demonstration system design. This work includes development of the deployment system, existing and new module designs, and the controls system.