Course on Remote Manipulators in Hot Cells
Online course of 300 h in Remote Manipulators in Hot Cells. 6 modules covering ISO 17874 (remote handling devices for radioactive materials), ISO 10648 (containment enclosures) and SolidWorks. Dedicated tutor and enrolment open.
Course on Remote Manipulators in Hot Cells — studying from Australia
Australia does not operate nuclear power plants, but nuclear science and technology play important roles in research, medicine, mining and regulation. The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation operates research reactors and produces radiopharmaceuticals, while uranium mining is conducted in South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. Nuclear engineering skills support regulatory oversight, radiation safety and decommissioning activities. Employers include ANSTO, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, mining companies and specialist consultancies.
Fees for Australia: A$1,180 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Does this programme meet Australian nuclear licensing or regulatory requirements?
No. SEIUM qualifications are private and are not accredited by any national body. Nuclear activities in Australia are regulated by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency and related authorities, which set their own competency requirements. Check directly with the regulator and your employer about any qualifications needed for a specific role.
Which Australian organisations might consider this training for nuclear-related roles?
Australian employers in this area include research organisations, radiation protection services, mining and resources companies, and consultancies working on nuclear-related projects. Hiring depends on each organisation's requirements and on security and licensing needs. A private qualification is unlikely to be sufficient alone, so combine it with relevant experience.
Is the programme workable alongside a job, and how is it funded?
The programmes are delivered entirely online in English with an assigned technical tutor, allowing study from Australia around work commitments. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Review the programme length, from 300 to 1,900 hours, and plan carefully.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Describe the design principles of hot cells and their containment barriers.
Explain how mechanical master-slave telemanipulators work.
Compare servo-driven manipulators and industrial robots adapted to radioactive environments.
Select vision and sensing systems suitable for remote operations.
Integrate radiation protection and waste management criteria into station design.
Plan the maintenance and remote replacement of components.
Produce a conceptual design of a remote handling station for a given application.
Who it's for
- Hot cell engineer looking to specialise in Remote Manipulators in Hot Cells.
- Remote handling engineer looking to specialise in Remote Manipulators in Hot Cells.
- Mechanical designer of nuclear equipment looking to specialise in Remote Manipulators in Hot Cells.
- Radioactive laboratory operations technician looking to specialise in Remote Manipulators in Hot Cells.
- Robotics engineer for radioactive environments looking to specialise in Remote Manipulators in Hot Cells.
- Maintenance manager at radioactive facilities looking to specialise in Remote Manipulators in Hot Cells.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into post-irradiation examination laboratories.
What you'll work with
- ISO 17874 (remote handling devices for radioactive materials)
- ISO 10648 (containment enclosures)
- ISO 17873 (ventilation systems for nuclear facilities other than reactors)
- IAEA GSR Part 3 (radiation protection and safety of radiation sources)
- ISO 12100 (safety of machinery: risk assessment)
- Directive 2013/59/Euratom (basic safety standards)
- ISO 10218-2 (robot system integration)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1The roles of hot cells in the nuclear cycle1.2Biological shielding with concrete and lead1.3Lead-glass and oil-filled windows1.4Containment and negative-pressure ventilation1.5Sealed enclosures and glove boxes1.6Material transfer: ports and airlocks1.7Post-irradiation examination cells1.8Radioisotope production cells1.9ISO 17873 and ISO 11933 containment standards1.10Case study: layout of a line of cells
2.1History of telemanipulators at Argonne2.2Through-wall mechanical telemanipulators2.3Kinematics and degrees of freedom2.4Tape and cable transmission2.5Sealing boots and their replacement2.6Manufacturers: Getinge La Calhène, Wälischmiller and CRL2.7Payload capacity and reach2.8Remote maintenance and dismantling2.9Selection according to task and shielding2.10Practice: selecting a telemanipulator for a cell
3.1Electromechanical telemanipulators3.2Bilateral teleoperation and force feedback3.3Stability and transparency in teleoperation3.4Overhead cranes and power manipulators3.5Industrial arms in hot cells3.6Radiation resistance of electronics3.7Radiation-resistant lubricants and materials3.8Remote tools: cutting, welding and bolting3.9Design for remote maintenance3.10Lab: teleoperation simulation with delay
4.1Radiation-resistant cameras4.2Stereoscopic vision and augmented reality4.3In-cell lighting4.4Force and tactile sensors4.5Digital twins of the cell4.6Planning remote operations4.7Human factors and operator fatigue4.8Training with mock-ups and simulators4.9Communication between operator and supervisor4.10Case study: planning a cutting operation
5.1Radiation protection of the operator5.2Contamination control during transfers5.3Criticality when handling fissile material5.4Fire prevention in cells5.5Secondary waste management5.6Maintenance of contaminated manipulators5.7Cell decontamination5.8Experience at La Hague, Sellafield and Mol5.9IAEA requirements for fuel-cycle facilities5.10Workshop: risk analysis of a remote operation
6.1Defining the task and the material6.2Shielding and containment requirements6.3Selecting manipulators and tools6.4Vision and sensing design6.5Remote operating procedure6.6Safety and dose analysis6.7Maintenance plan6.8Design summary6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake period, making it easy to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The software used is SolidWorks, ROS 2, MicroShield, Siemens NX, Unity (operation simulation), in free, academic or trial versions. Testing is studied through real procedures from hot cell mock-ups and telemanipulators, enclosure leak-tightness tests and simulation of handling sequences. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus a final capstone project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Describe the design principles of hot cells and their containment barriers.
Explain how mechanical master-slave telemanipulators work.
Compare servo-driven manipulators and industrial robots adapted to radioactive environments.
Select vision and sensing systems suitable for remote operations.
Integrate radiation protection and waste management criteria into station design.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No previous qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer able to run the programme software.
- A level of English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with SolidWorks, ROS 2, MicroShield, Siemens NX, Unity (operation simulation). Free, academic or trial versions are used, and your tutor will point out a free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the capstone project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state-accredited degree.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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