Robot Parking in Service Cavern Update

Monday 2 Nov 2026, 16:00 → 18:00 Europe/Zurich

Service Cavern Parking V2.pdf

Service Cavern Parking V2.pptx

Meeting Summary

The discussion focused on robot integration and space reservations within the FCC service cavern and expanded sections. Dan Harvey requested updated robot rail requirements to support ongoing integration model updates before the workshop on Wednesday.

A proposed robot parking concept using a mezzanine structure above the vehicle parking area was reviewed. The concept would significantly reduce required floor space by moving rail robot parking to an elevated level, while keeping additional storage and parking requirements on the first floor. Dan Harvey supported the concept and agreed it could help resolve current space allocation challenges.

The team also discussed how maintenance robot rails could connect both tunnel access points. Routing through the experimental cavern was confirmed to be unsuitable due to access restrictions and physical barriers. The preferred solution is now to investigate a fixed rail route through the service cavern, potentially passing above designated spaces and infrastructure where sufficient clearance exists.

An important open question concerns radiation protection and operational constraints. The team needs to determine whether robots that may handle activated or contaminated materials must remain on the experimental side of the cavern, or whether they can also traverse service-side areas. This decision will directly affect rail routing and partition wall layouts.

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Key Notes

• Dan Harvey needs robot rail requirements and space reservations incorporated into integration models before Wednesday.
• Mezzanine robot parking concept was presented and received positively.
• Proposed mezzanine area:
  • ~120 m² for rail robot parking and servicing.
  • ~70 m² on the first floor for additional storage, parking, and possible elevator access.
• Routing robot rails through the experimental cavern is not possible due to access control barriers and restricted areas.
• Preferred approach is a fixed rail route through the service cavern rather than a deployable or movable rail bridge.
• Clearance appears potentially available above the safety lobby and around existing infrastructure, but further integration work is required.
• The possibility of robots crossing between experimental-side and service-side areas depends on radiation protection requirements.
• Terminology around connecting/bypass/evacuation tunnels remains under discussion, but does not affect immediate robot integration planning.

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Next Steps

Morgan

• Send robot reachability estimates and baseline arm-reach information to Dan Harvey today.
• Send the updated space reservation slide showing mezzanine and first-floor requirements.
• Discuss with Radiation Protection (RP):
  • Whether robots may enter service-side areas.
  • Whether robots that may handle contaminated materials must remain exclusively on the experimental side.
• Provide an updated recommendation after the Wednesday workshop.

Dan

• Update integration models with the proposed robot parking and rail reservations.
• Continue investigating feasible rail routing through the service cavern.
• Assess partition wall and access-control layouts once RP constraints are clarified.
• Use reachability information to evaluate placement of robot rail volumes in the expanded section.