Laboratory of Intelligent Machines and Robotic Scenarios in Ship Recycling

Professor, D.Sc (Tech), Heikki Handroos, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Basic information about Lappeenranta University of Technology

• Founded 1969
• Located in Lappeenranta, South-Eastern Finland (around 6000 students and staff members)
• Faculties in Engineering and Business
• IM Lab is a forerunner in machine simulation and heavy duty robotics

Challenges and opportunities of robotic tools in ship recycling

• Very large workspace needed for robots (several robotic stations needed)
• There are no commercially available solutions (tool development needed)
• Both cutting and handling tools needed
• Mechanical cutting slow and very large forces needed
• Plasma, wire and water jet cutting possible
• Laser cutting effective but work safety is a big issue
• Automated cutting inside the ship very challenging