Stewart Hockley
Manager Wälischmiller UK
The VNE 80 and VNE 90 are low-friction, gas-tight manipulators. They are used in laboratories for post-irradiation tests and in fuel element reprocessing cells. These cells must be hermetically sealed for positive or negative pressure.
Where you can use the system:
The telemanipulators are modular in design and have four main parts:
All main assemblies are interchangeable across the entire manipulator series. This means that the cold arm, the hot arm and the extension pipe can be separated from the through pipe. The through pipe therefore remains in the wall to maintain containment.
Wälischmiller UK is well known for its manipulators for the nuclear industry. Our products are particularly popular for their reliability and durability. The company is based at South Marston Park in Swindon, Wiltshire. It is a division of Wälischmiller (a subsidiary of Cadre Holding). The company provides design, engineering, manufacture, installation and a complete spare parts and after sales service for manipulators in the nuclear industry.
How the VNE-80 and VNE-90 work
Proven remote handling and manipulator systems for the nuclear industry, decommissioning, nuclear medicine and research - with proven reliability and ALARA-oriented design. We supply engineering through to service and maintenance from a single source: sophisticated engineering down to the smallest detail, clear interfaces (mechanical/electrical/control) and lifecycle support with spare parts for 30+ years. The result: plannable projects, excellent products and short distances to your technical contact.
From inquiry to design - how your equipment is created
Precise motion control for confined spaces
The VNE-80 and VNE-90 manipulators are built to perform with uncompromising precision, even in tight hot cell environments. With electrically powered X, Y and Z movements, operators can pre-position the work area before the first action in the cell. This clever pre-positioning makes set-up a controlled, repeatable process and ensures the cold arm always remains within the operator's ergonomic range. The result is a system that reduces workload, speeds up workflows and delivers maximum precision where there is no margin for error.
Dynamic counterweight: heavy loads feel light
The VNE-90 takes performance to a new level with its Dynamic Balance system - an active load compensation technology that constantly adjusts during lifting. Even at full reach, the manipulator remains perfectly balanced, eliminating the strain usually associated with remote handling. Operators describe it as a „weightless extension of the hand“, enabling precise and delicate tasks, handling up to 30 kg at a horizontal reach of 2.5 m (typical usable range) and 20 kg over the full range of motion (4 m reach and 70 degree tilt). This dynamic support significantly improves control, reduces fatigue and increases overall productivity in demanding environments.
Made for extreme conditions: materials that last longer than the mission
Every important component - from gearboxes to telescopic tubes - is made from carefully selected high-strength stainless steels and modern aluminum alloys. These materials ensure that the devices are protected against radiation, corrosion and mechanical wear even during continuous operation. The telescope of the stainless steel hot arm provides additional rigidity and durability where it counts. Combined with robust jaw assemblies, a hexagonal boom design and precision differential housings, the VNE series is not only built to last, but also built to withstand some of the harshest environments in the world.
Protection for operators through intelligent load isolation
Remote handling requires concentration - no physical effort. The ratchet mechanism with load isolation holds vertical loads on the hot arm without transferring forces back to the operator. When activated, movements are progressively locked in place and act like mechanical „safety checkpoints“, securing loads exactly where they need to be. This mechanism is super valuable for tasks that require stable positioning, giving operators full control without having to struggle against the weight. With intuitive, handle-mounted controls for moving electrical loads and customizable jaw control, the system simultaneously improves safety, precision and human performance.
Modular, upgradeable and future-proof
The VNE series is designed for a long service life and continuous further development. Both the standard VNE-80 and the Dynamic Balance VNE-90 benefit from continuous product development, with new features designed to be retrofitted into existing installations. Longer reach hot arms, booting systems, jaw configurations, load carrying mechanisms and even dynamic balance modules can be added long after the initial installation. This modularity protects the value of the investment, keeps equipment up to date and ensures that operators are always working with the latest technology rather than outdated tools.
